In 2020, Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) responded to the evolving public health crisis by adeptly shifting to remote or hybrid operations to keep dispute resolution services available to all New Yorkers, especially as other dispute resolution options were suspended or experienced interruptions. Compounding the instability, New York State faced deep cuts to the 2021-2022 State Budget— with potentially devastating consequences for CDRCs and their communities.

In the months approaching the new fiscal year, NYSDRA intensified its advocacy efforts to secure the best possible outcomes for CDRCs. In February 2021, Regina Ritcey, NYSDRA’s Executive Director, testified during the NYS Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Public Protection while NYSDRA coordinated with CDRCs and Malkin & Ross, our advocacy partners in Albany, to prepare for NYSDRA’s Annual CDRC Lobby Day.

CDRC Lobby Day 2021

Prior to this year, Lobby Day meant a full day in Albany, connecting with colleagues, meeting with legislators and being in the mix of the live legislative activity. The ongoing pandemic restrictions required some adjustments for 2021, but the work continued! During Lobby Day 2021--NYSDRA's first ever Virtual Lobby Day--NYSDRA and the Community Dispute Resolution Centers requested that the Legislature support the following items as part of the Final FY 2021-22 State Budget:

Outcomes

Over 60 CDRC staff and volunteer mediators from nearly all of the 20 CDRCs, along with NYSDRA staff and our Malkin & Ross partners, participated in over 50 legislator meetings to promote the work of the CDRCs and to advocate for full budget funding in the critical 2021-22 state budget. CDRC turnout was fantastic making 2021 NYSDRA’s most well attended Lobby Day to date!

CDRCs reporting back the individual legislator meetings clearly show that legislator familiarity with the CDRCs and recognition of the utility of mediation and the value the CDRCs bring to their constituents. This is a marked increase in recognition and understanding since the CDRC advocacy efforts were initiated.

The NYS Legislature passed the 2021 -2022 budget, and the court budget was fully funded—at the pre-pandemic budget cut level. While the funding allocation for CDRCs is not yet known the approved funding level is cause for cautious optimism.

Also included in the state budget was the appropriation of the $10 million DCJS (Division of Criminal Justice Services) Aid to Localities budget, a great opportunity for CDRCs to pursue youth justice programming.

The outcome of the 2021-22 budget process sets the CDRCs in a good position to continue at current levels and look towards program developments that are so needed in these challenging times. The services of the Community Dispute Resolution Services are needed now more than ever before.

The Work Continues!

Advocacy efforts are ongoing. As a new fiscal year begins, policy aims and funding needs will continue to be championed and supported so the CDRCs and their volunteer mediators can continue serving their communities.

The support of NYSDRA’s members and donors is integral to sustaining both our advocacy efforts and resources that support CDRCs’ missions--  please consider making a contribution today . The amount of your contribution is secondary to the connection and support it shows for community mediation and the dedicated volunteer mediators who make the work possible. Your generosity will help ensure that mediation, restorative justice, and more remain available to all communities throughout New York.