Events
Covid -19 Update
Important Covid-19 Update: The Mediation Center of Dutchess County remains open, but we have temporarily suspended all face-to-face contacts and the staff is working remotely. Center staff are working behind the scenes on operationalizing a re-alignment of our services in accordance to the NYS Court consolidation and the health guidelines issued by the CDC and county/state government. Like many of you, we find ourselves in an evolving and unprecedented time - both professionally and personally - and we thank you for your patience. In the interim, please feel free to reach out to staff listed below with any questions or concerns you may have. Staff are working remotely and will return your call or email as soon as they can. If you have a case already in court, need to start a court case, or have specific questions about your juror service, NYS Court has set up a Coronavirus Telephone Hotline: 833-503-0447. You may also refer to the New York Court's website at https://www.nycourts.gov/ .
| Name | Title | Phone | Program | |
| Leanne Lawson | Executive Director | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x209 | All inquiries; NEW Civil Courts Cases |
| Lucille Trachte | Family & Divorce Program Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x207 | Family & Divorce |
| Claudia Abbott-Barish | Restorative Justice Initiative Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x203 | Restorative Justice |
| Justin Strock | Restorative Justice Specialist | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x210 | Restorative Justice; limited (active) Civil Courts Cases |
| Ellie Limpert | Case Assistant & Restorative Justice Specialist | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x201 | New Inquiries for all cases; Restorative Justice |
BMT 2020
The mediation center will be holding a 32-hour Basic Mediation Training from January 30th to February 2nd 2020. Please see the flyer for more detail and if you are interested please fill out an application and return to the address provided here BMT 2020 Application
Circle Up Event
Please join us on Saturday July 27th at 1pm at Upsate Films in Rhinebeck, for a film screening and dialogue about justice, accountability and forgiveness with teens from North East Community Center’s Youth Council and facilitators from the Mediation Center of Dutchess County.
This event is free, with opportunities to donate to future creative collaborations between NECC's Youth Council and MCDC's Restorative Justice Initiative.
Please see flyer for more details
Mediation Center Will be Closed 7/4-7/5 for Independence Day
The Mediaton Center will be closed on Thursday July 4th and Friday July 5th for observance of Independence Day. The office will resume regular buisness hours starting Monday July 8th.
Restorative Justice Apprenticeship
If you are interested please review the following links and fill out an application.
Feel free to reach out to Claudia Abbott-Barish at 845-471-7213 ex.203 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.
If you have any issues filling out the form, please e-mail Claudia directly.
Application deadline for the June training is Monday, May 27th. Follow-up interviews will be scheduled in the first two weeks of June. We encourage early application in order to secure the most convenient interview slot.