While some sectors of conflict resolution practice are quite specific, the work of community mediation is as broad and diverse as the community itself. In this installment of the Community Section, we’d like to focus on an emergent area of community mediation service: the resolution of conflicts involving the elderly.
The American Bar Association’s Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly has recently published Building Coalitions in Aging, Disability and Dispute Resolution , detailing four innovative pilot programs to serve the conflict resolution needs of the elderly and disability communities. Three of the four programs are based at community mediation programs, including those in Bozeman, MT, Norristown, PA, and Louisville, KY.
Through the support of the Hewlett Foundation, the ABA Commission funded four local or regional coalitions to serve as models for replication in other areas. The objectives of the coalitions were to:
In cooperation with the ABA Commission, we have provided the body of the report here for your review. The ABA Commission has developed a listserve to encourage communication among the pilot programs and other interested in the project: for information about the listserve, email collaborate@mail.abanet.org.
The coalition-building steps outlined in the report are instructive to community mediation centers not only for their work with the elderly, but in any number of service areas. Community mediation can play an integral role in the social service network of every community.
The MIRC Community Section welcomes your contributions and feedback. If you know of materials relevant to elder conflict (in specific) or community mediation (in general), please drop us a line at tkhedeen@mediate.com or scottbradley@mediate.com.
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