The Center for Dispute Resolution (CDR) is located on the campus of Missouri State University in the Department of Communication. The CDR provides services and supports programs that help people take control of their lives. In a world where conflict often dictates distrust, stifles communication, and leads to costly and contentious legal remedies, we offer, research, and support alternatives.
The CDR provides and supports several services and programs:
- Basic and Advanced Mediation Trainings
- Presentations, Workshops, and Consultations
- Facilitation Services
- Certificate Programs in Conflict and Dispute Resolution
- Mediation Referrals and Services
- Victim-Offender Mediation Programs
- Educational/Research Services
- Community Programs
Mediation Training
One of the services the CDR provides is civil and family mediation training. This interactive training covers a variety of topics and meets the Missouri Supreme Court Rules for civil and family mediators.
The CDR also offers advanced mediation training as well as other specialized training. Past training topics have included parenting coordination, victim-offender mediation, construction mediation, and more.
Presentations, Workshops, and Consultations
The CDR offers on-site lectures and workshops on a variety of conflict, communication, and dispute resolution topics for area businesses and organizations. These lectures/workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of the group and are ideal for businesses, non-profits, neighborhood associations, churches, membership/volunteer organizations, or any other group that wishes to address a specific communication or conflict topic. The CDR also offers program-development support for communities in areas such as victim-offender mediation.
Facilitation Services
The CDR helps facilitate meetings, discussions, and strategic planning sessions for business and organizations.
Educational/Research Services
The CDR serves as a research laboratory for university faculty and for students enrolled in the Graduate and Undergraduate Certificate programs in Conflict and Dispute Resolution. Additionally, the CDR provides and/or supports a variety of conflict and mediation programs for organizations in the Ozarks area. The CDR also maintains an extensive library of materials on dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration. The collection of materials includes books, journals, articles, pamphlets, and videos.
Mediation Referrals and Services
The CDR makes mediation referrals to local mediators and also provides mediation services in specialized cases.
Victim-Offender Mediation
The CDR administers victim-offender mediation programs for the Greene County Juvenile Division and for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. It also plays an active role in the Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition.
Community Program Support
The CDR supports a variety of community programs related to conflict and dispute resolution. Once example is the collaboration between the CDR and Greene County Family Court's Common Ground program. The CDR provides Co-Parenting Conflict Resolution Resources to the parents taking part in the Common Gound program. These resources and services include conflict workshops for parents and for their children, mediation services, conflict intervention support, and conflict consultation services.
About this Site
Our site offers several features, including information on our mediator training and customized workshops as well as an "Ask the Conflict Expert" form that allows you to get personalized answers to your toughest conflict questions.
We also have a section of links to legal information, which answers some common questions people ask when they call the Center for information about their rights and options. There is also a section of links to other conflict resolution resources and a variety of web sites devoted to conflict and mediation.
We also provide mediation referrals and offer specialized mediation services.
While you're here, be sure to check out the latest news on our upcoming events and training sessions.
Finally, if you have questions that this site doesn't answer, please call us at (417) 836-8831 or complete an information request form so we can send you the information you need.
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Dr. Charlene Berquist, Director, Center for Dispute Resolution
Heather Blades, Associate Director, Center for Dispute Resolution
CDR Office: Missouri State University, Park Central Office Building room 212, 117 Park Central Square, Springfield MO
Mailing Address: Missouri State University, Center for Dispute Resolution, 901 S. National, Springfield MO 65897
CDR Phone: (417) 836-8831
Fax: (417) 836-8288
E-mail: CDR@MissouriState.edu
Civil and Family Mediation Training - Oct 21-25 in Springfield MO
Registration is now open for the next Civil and Family Mediation Training, which will be held Oct. 21-25, 2009, in Springfield MO. Over half of the seats in this training are already filled, so register now to reserve your spot!
Save the Date! Symposium on RJ in Adult Courts
The CDR will be presenting at the symposium Restorative Justice in the Adult Criminal Courts Nov. 13, 2009 in Columbia, MO. For more information please visit the MORJC website.
Dispute Resolution Network of the Ozarks
Join the Ozarks newest educational and networking organization for those interested in dispute resolution! Click here for more information or to join.
Join the CDR Online
Follow the CDR on Twitter!
The CDR has moved!
The CDR has moved to our new office in downtown Springfield. We are now located in the Park Central Office Building rooms 209-212 (at 117 Park Central Square). Our phone number is the same, but our new fax number is (417) 836-8288.