Sheriff Michael Ashe congratulates Janice A. Healy, Division Chief,
Western Massachusetts Office of The Attorney General. Ms. Healy was
accepting a recent Brent P. Davis Award for Outstanding Support for
Mediation on behalf of Attorney General Thomas Reilly.
Why Mediation Works
DRS mediation is successful for one reason: the disputing parties control the outcome of the meeting. The mediators help the parties communicate by focusing on areas of concern and clarifying points of agreement, buy they do not make suggestions. In general, all DRS mediation meetings follow the same format.
Step One: A case manager reviews the process and all parties sign an agreement to mediate.
Step Two: The mediator explains the ground rules for the meeting.
Step Three: Each party is given the opportunity to explain their concerns and hopes to the mediators without interruption.
Step Four: The mediators may meet with each party in a private session without the other side present.
Step Five: Points of agreement are written up, all parties sign and are given a copy. DRS monitors mediation agreements as needed.
Following these five steps, DRS mediation meetings have a 90% success rate!
115 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 413-787-6480
