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 |
| Family & Divorce Program Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x209 | 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 | Community Coordinator and 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 |
| Ezra Weissman | Restorative Justice Specialist and Administrative Assistant | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 845-471-7213 x208 | 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
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.
Celebrating 35 Years
On October 25, 2018 the Mediation Center celebrated 35 years of Community Service at Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie. The night was a huge success and a true testament to the immense amount of support for community mediation that we've had over the years. Special thanks goes to our sponsors, Board of Directors, staff, mediators, community partners, and attendees.
An immeasurable amount of gratitude goes to our three incredible honorees- Kathryn Lazar, Terry Funk-Antman and Jody Miller- for without your hard work and dedication, the Mediation Center would not be the success that it is today. Here's to another 35 years!
For full access to our photo album, please visit our Facebook page here: MCDC 35th Anniversary Photo Album
NYS Courts Renew their Commitment to Mediation, ADR
NYS Courts have once again recognized the value of mediation and renewed their commitment to
ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), in the hopes that it will "become an integral part of our
court culture and civil justice process."
We value our judicial partners and thank them for their continued support of what we do!
Please read the article here for more information.
