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Dispute Resolution Center

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Middletown, NY
Dispute Resolution Center

For over four decades, DRC has remained committed to providing accessible, effective solutions that help individuals resolve conflict outside the courtroom.

The Dispute Resolution Center is a not-for-profit serving Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties in New York State with mediation, education, and other conflict resolution resources. Founded in 1982 as the Orange County Mediation Project, DRC has grown from a single-county initiative into one of New York State's Community Dispute Resolution Centers, a statewide network established by the state legislature in 1981 to offer mediation and other alternatives to the traditional court system. Renamed in 1993 to reflect its expanded reach, DRC now provides services across four counties, offering community and family mediation, divorce mediation, special education mediation, arbitration, and group facilitation. Beyond alternative dispute resolution, DRC operates the CASA program, parent education classes, supervised visitation, and youth conflict resolution programs, working to strengthen families and communities throughout the Hudson Valley.

10/30/2026

What do mediation clients say about the experience? 🤔

More than 2,700 people from across New York State shared their feedback on court-referred mediation through New York's Community Dispute Resolution Centers. The results from 2023 to 2025 speak for themselves: 93% said the process was clearly explained, 92% said their mediators were neutral and fair, 91% felt heard and understood, and 89% would recommend mediation to others.

Among surveyed cases, 79% reached an agreement, compared with a 67% statewide average for these case types. (Source: NYS Unified Court System, Report on Post-Mediation Surveys, 2023-2025).

Mediation gives people the chance to be heard and to shape the outcome. If you are facing a disagreement, the Dispute Resolution Center is here to help.

👉 Ready to be heard? Let DRC help you find a path forward. Contact us by calling (845) 372-8771, ext. 5004, or emailing [email protected]. For more information about us and our services, visit our website at www.drcservices.org.

10/28/2026

The Dispute Resolution Center recently attended the CDRC Case Document Best Practices Training in Albany.

The training offered updated guidance on managing case file documents, with practical tools, resources, and hands-on experience aligned with the Division of ADR’s expectations. Topics included signed Consent-to-Mediate Agreements, post-mediation survey collection, demographic data collection, coversheet and disposition form content, and the goals and procedures of case file review.

Ongoing training helps ensure every case we handle is documented accurately and professionally, for the staff and volunteer neutrals who serve our community and for the families and individuals who rely on us.

Pictured in the group photo from left to right are Dispute Resolution Center's ADR staff Ava McCurdie, Marsha Fincher, DRC Executive Director Miriam Frankl, and DRC's ADR staff Sneha Kapadia.

10/26/2026

Not every conflict is suited for mediation, and Dispute Resolution Center's mediators are trained to know the difference.

Our mediators receive specialized training to identify power imbalances between parties before any case moves forward. This means both individuals have an equal voice and equal decision-making power throughout the process.

This training ensures every mediation session remains fair, safe, and appropriate for everyone involved.

👉 For more information about our services:
(845) 372-8771, ext. 5004
[email protected]
www.drcservices.org

10/23/2026

The Dispute Resolution Center participated in the Surrogate's Court Mediation Training on October 15 & 16, 2026, featuring esteemed presenters Joan Pangilinan-Taylor, Elizabeth Donlon, and Andrew Martin.

The Honorable Rita Mella opened the event with remarks on her responsibilities as a Surrogate's Court judge in New York County. This training was highly beneficial, equipping our staff and mediators with essential skills.

In the group photo, from left to right: DRC staff and mediator Marsha Fincher, DRC family mediator Ellen Styler, DRC Executive Director Miriam Frankl, and DRC staff and mediator Sneha Kapadia.

10/22/2026

MYTH OR TRUTH? National Mediation Week Edition

MYTH ❌: Mediation is only for divorce.

TRUTH ✅: Mediation can help with many kinds of disputes. At the Dispute Resolution Center, our trained mediators help with family matters, landlord/tenant issues, small claims, workplace conflicts, special education disagreements, and more.

National Mediation Week is a time to learn what mediation is and whom it can help. If you are facing a disagreement, mediation may be an option.

👉 We’re here to help you. Contact us for mediation services by calling (845) 372-8771, ext. 5004.

We proudly serve Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, and Putnam Counties in NY.

10/19/2026

Has your family structure changed due to separation or divorce? The Parents Apart Program helps parents support their children through the transition.

Parents will learn what children need during separation or divorce, how to protect them from conflict, practical parenting-apart strategies, and effective communication skills.

Program details 👇
October 26 and November 2, 2026
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Live on Zoom
$95 registration fee

Open to separated, divorced, and unmarried parents. Participants must attend both sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion.

📣 Reserve your place today at www.drcservices.org/parents-apart-virtual-class-registration-form

Questions? Call (845) 372-8771, ext. 1005, or email [email protected]

10/18/2026

It's National Mediation Week, and we want to hear from you.

If you had a dispute, what would stop you from trying mediation first?

1. Didn't know it was an option
2. Assumed it would cost money
3. Thought I needed a lawyer

Comment 1, 2, or 3 below, and follow along this week as we bust these myths and share how mediation can help.

👉 Contact us to learn more:
(845) 372-8771, ext. 5004
[email protected]
www.drcservices.org

10/16/2026

The Dispute Resolution Center team has completed a two-day training in Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) Mediation, facilitated by the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA).

The ACCES-VR Mediation program provides a confidential and voluntary framework for resolving disputes related to vocational rehabilitation services, with the assistance of a neutral mediator.

Our commitment to continuing education ensures that we deliver informed and unbiased support to our clients.

👉 For mediation services, please contact us at (845) 372-8771, ext. 5004, or email [email protected].

10/15/2026

Sometimes conflict resolution comes down to a handful of practical skills; take a look at the graphic above for a few worth practicing.

Today is Conflict Resolution Day, dedicated to promoting awareness around resolving disputes peacefully.

Strong conflict resolution skills build stronger relationships and stronger communities.

👉 Need support navigating a conflict? We're here to help.
(845) 372-8771, ext. 5004
[email protected]
www.drcservices.org

10/13/2026

The Dispute Resolution Center was proud to attend the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) 2026 Annual Conference, “Rooted in Peace: One Tree, Many Branches,” on October 8 and 9.

The conference brought together mediation providers, court partners, and community leaders from across New York State for keynote conversations, workshops, and professional development, and marked the 30th anniversary of the Andrew Thomas PeaceBuilder Award.

In the second photo, pictured is DRC Executive Director Miriam Frankl with John O’Malley, longtime DRC mediator, NYSDRA Lemon Law arbitrator, and arbitration expert and educator.

Ongoing professional development helps us provide informed, high-quality support to the communities we serve.

Address

Middletown, NY

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18453728771

Website

http://www.drcservices.org/, https://www.youtube.com/@ConfIictTV

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