Following budget cuts in New York, many mediation centers have lost close to half of their funding, resulting in some centers to close their doors. The Child and Family Services' Center for Resolution and Justice operates mediation centers in eight counties in western New York. Their pitch to get back some of their funding in the next fiscal year includes a simple statement that mediation saves money.

Mediation is gaining popularity in issues that can be settled outside of court, including disputes regarding child custody, divorces, small claims and residential issues. Part of the draw of mediation is that by staying out of court, everyone involved saves money and time. Litigation tends to get drawn out, and most often both parties emerge from mediation with satisfactory results.

The Center for Resolution and Justice is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are lawyers. In addition to disputes, the center helps those with disabilities and special needs get help with education and rehabilitation. If the center cannot resolve the issue, participants can always go to court.

Last year in New York, more than 100,000 cases were resolved through mediation. All 62 counties have mediators and are joining the petition to restore funding. The center is not asking for more money, but is simply asking for their funding to be restored to what it was before the budget cuts.

In addition to helping cut costs, mediation centers throughout New York help ease the burden of the court systems. According to one woman familiar with the system, mediation normally takes about two weeks to reach a resolution. Court cases, however, can take several months. Any work that the mediation centers can do benefits everyone involved.

Source: The Daily News, "Mediation group seeks funding restoration," Scott DeSmit, Jan. 21, 2012