NYSDRA lauched a one-year pilot certification program at its Annual Conference in October of 2007. The pilot will gather feedback to guide the 2008 launch of NYSDRA full certification program for mediators.

Fifty pilot participants will help pioneer this quality assurance process for facilitative mediators practicing in New York. Their input and insights will help NYSDRA’s Certification Committee determine the efficacy of forms, application process, and the focus of continued learning requirements. It will also inform the design of grievance, observation and mentoring processes.
Pilot participants will also provide reflections into how preparing and completing each certification steps helped them assess their skills and connect with others in the field. The peer review component allows NYSDRA Certified Mediators to build their knowledge base as mentors and mentees. Pilot members will also lay the foundation for tracking the relationship between certification and business development for mediators. This information will help NYSDRA educate the dispute resolution community on certification’s effect on referrals, mediator skill development, mediation business development and public awareness.

If you would like to learn more about our certification program please contact Emily Menn, Esq. at (518) 687 2240 ext. 209, or email her at emily@nysdra.org. You may also download our pilot program application if you are interested in participating.

Certification Pilot Program Application