Center for Dispute Settlement

What Center for Dispute Settlement does

The Center for Dispute Settlement (CDS) is a non-profit community dispute resolution center founded in 1973, headquartered in Rochester, NY, and serving the 8-county New York State 7th Judicial District (Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties). With 73 employees and approximately 9 office locations, the organization provides mediation, arbitration, facilitation, and restorative practices services across five core service lines: Family Programs (custody, visitation, divorce), Schools Programs (special education, peer mediation, restorative circles, PINS), Community Programs (landlord/tenant, eviction, small claims, commercial disputes), Workplace Programs (employer/employee mediation, DEIB, leadership coaching), and Training Services (conflict resolution, implicit bias, mediation training). It also operates specialty state-mandated programs including the City Housing Arbitration Program (CHAP), Lemon Law Arbitration, ACCES-VR Mediation, Agricultural Mediation, and Surrogate Decision Making Committee services.

The core technology is methodology-based rather than platform-based: staff and volunteers are trained and certified under the NYS Unified Court System's Office of Court Administration in frameworks such as Transformative Mediation, Solution Focused Mediation, and Restorative Practices. There is no proprietary software platform, mobile application, or API; service delivery depends on trained human mediators and apprentices, supplemented by AmeriCorps members embedded in schools. The organization relies on a county-office network, school-based service delivery, and customized training programs as its primary distribution channels.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining service fees (mediation, arbitration, training), charitable donations (including an annual ROC The Day giving campaign), and government/funder contracts (NYS Unified Court System, NYS Education Department, county-level contracts, and grants from entities such as Sen. Joe Robach's office and United Way). The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on referrals from courts, schools, social service agencies, community organizations, and direct outreach via newsletters, website, and community events. Services are priced comparably and offered at free or low-cost rates based on ability to pay, with several programs (e.g., ACCES-VR, Agricultural Mediation) provided at no cost to consumers.

Name

Center for Dispute Settlement

Legal name

The Center for Dispute Settlement

Website

https://cdsadr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Center for Dispute Settlement is a non-profit community dispute resolution center founded in 1973, serving the 8-county NY State 7th Judicial District from Rochester, NY. It provides mediation, arbitration, restorative practices, and training to families, schools, workplaces, and government agencies through 73 staff across nine county offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Services

NAICS

Legal Services (5411), Other Legal Services (54119)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Litigation & Dispute Resolution (BPAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty & Problem-Solving Courts (Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, Family) (BPAIAFAG)

Keywords

• Community mediation services
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Restorative practices training
• Family custody mediation
• School peer mediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Service Fees: Fees for mediation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution services. Some services are free or low-cost based on ability to pay.
2. Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support their mission of reducing violence and increasing conflict resolution access.
3. Government/Funder Contracts: Funded by NYS Unified Court System through contracts with the state Education Department for school-based restorative practices training. Also receives grants from organizations like Sen. Joe Robach's office.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Center for Dispute Settlement provides community-based mediation, arbitration, facilitation, and restorative practices services through 8 county offices in NY's 7th Judicial District. Services are organized into Family, Schools, Community, Workplace, and Training program lines, plus state-mandated specialty programs such as City Housing Arbitration, Agricultural Mediation, Lemon Law Arbitration, and ACCES-VR Mediation.

Product overview

The Center for Dispute Settlement is a non-profit community dispute resolution center serving the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region since 1973. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of conflict resolution services organized into five main categories: Family Programs (custody, visitation, divorce mediation and arbitration), Schools Programs (special education, peer mediation, restorative practices, anger management), Community Programs (landlord/tenant, eviction, commercial disputes, restorative justice), Workplace Programs (employer/employee mediation, DEIB training, leadership coaching), and Training Services (customized training in conflict resolution, communication, mediation, implicit bias). Additionally, the organization operates specialty programs including the City Housing Arbitration Program (CHAP), Agricultural Mediation, Lemon Law Arbitration, Surrogate Decision Making Committee (SDMC), and ACCES-VR Mediation. All services are delivered by trained and certified conflict resolution specialists serving the 8-county New York State 7th Judicial District.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Mediation Family dispute resolution services including custody and visitation mediation, divorce mediation and arbitration, and parent-child mediation to help families resolve conflicts without court involvement.
• Schools Programs Conflict resolution services for K-12 schools including special education mediation, early intervention mediation, attendance mediation, PINS, peer mediation, restorative practices circles, and anger management programs.
• Community Programs Dispute resolution services for community members including landlord/tenant disputes, eviction mediation/arbitration, small claims, commercial disputes, contractor disputes, and restorative justice for cases of harm or crime.
• Workplace Programs Business dispute resolution and professional development services including employer/employee mediation, conflict resolution and anger management, workforce DEIB, and leadership coaching.
• Training Services Customized professional development and training programs for schools, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies including conflict resolution, communication skills, conflict coaching, mediation training, anger management, restorative practices, implicit bias training, and leadership training.
• City Housing Arbitration Program (CHAP) Arbitration program for homeowners who have obtained home improvement grants or loans through City of Rochester programs to resolve contractor/homeowner disputes.
• Agricultural Mediation Mediation services for farmers, agribusiness, and the agricultural community to address difficult subjects and reach fair solutions without involving outside authorities.
• Lemon Law Arbitration Local administration of the New York State Lemon Law Arbitration Program for buyers or lessees of new and used cars that qualify as lemons.
• Surrogate Decision Making Committee (SDMC) Program for referrals from the Commission on Quality Care and Assistance to People with Disabilities (CQCAPD) regarding medical procedure decisions for mentally disabled persons in state facilities.
• ACCES-VR Mediation Confidential mediation process bringing together consumers and ACCES-VR representatives to address concerns and disagreements in vocational rehabilitation services; provided at no cost to consumers.
• Third Party Neutral Services Access to independent and neutral mediators, arbitrators, fact-finders, facilitators, and dispute resolution specialists trained and certified under the New York State Unified Court System's Office of Court Administration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of clients report a high level of satisfaction with services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• NYS Unified Court System Office of Court AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMediators and arbitrators are trained and certified under the auspices of the NYS Unified Court System's Office of Court Administration. The organization also receives state funding through contracts with OCA for programs like restorative practices training in schools.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Mediation Service Corps (CMSC) is a partnership between NY Unified Court System and Community Dispute Resolution Centers. AmeriCorps members serve at CDRCs providing mediation, restorative circles, and conflict coaching services in schools and communities. Members receive living allowances and education awards.
• Canandaigua National BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsored the Volunteer Appreciation Night Celebration for Ontario and Yates County offices. Provided financial support for the event held at the Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua.
• Gandhi Institute for NonviolencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored events including Medicine for Hate restorative justice forum with Dominic Barter. Also partnered on Transformative Justice Fellowship program offering free training and mentorship to BIPOC individuals interested in conflict and community transformation.
• Partners in Restorative Initiatives (PiRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored Restorative Practices in Organizations workshop. Deep collaboration on restorative justice initiatives, training, and community building. Current CEO Shira May previously served as Executive Director of PiRI.
• United WaymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner on African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP). CDS staff participate in leadership programs and community initiatives. Collaborative work on social justice issues in the Greater Rochester region.
• New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide association connecting Community Dispute Resolution Centers across New York. CDS staff serve on NYSDRA Board of Directors and participate in annual conferences and training programs.
• U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted international visitors from Indonesia's Religious Tolerance and Pluralism Group as part of the US Dept. of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Shared community building strategies for addressing divisive issues.
• Ontario County Restorative Justice CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDS staff coordinate this collaborative which includes professional mediators, law enforcement officials, educators, and community volunteers working to promote restorative justice practices in Ontario County. Awarded grant from Canandaigua Walmart.
• Civilian Review Board (CRB)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCDS evaluates cases stemming from civilian complaints against police and conducts independent civilian review. Provides recommendations for police oversight program enhancements and has partnered with the District Attorney's office on restorative justice programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Mediate.com: Online directory and information hub for mediation and ADR professionals and consumers. Comparable to CDS as a touchpoint in the broader mediation ecosystem, though it functions as a marketplace and information resource rather than a direct service provider.
• National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM): National membership organization supporting community mediation centers across the US. NAFCM is comparable as it represents the same operational model of community-based dispute resolution centers, though it functions as a trade and capacity-building body rather than a direct service provider.
• New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA): Statewide professional association of Community Dispute Resolution Centers in New York. CDS staff serve on the NYSDRA Board of Directors, making it a direct strategic peer and umbrella body for the same network of community mediation providers that CDS operates within.

Broad incumbents

• CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution: International non-profit that promotes conflict prevention and resolution through training, policy, and ADR services, particularly for commercial disputes. Comparable to CDS in the dispute resolution training and services space, with a stronger focus on corporate and commercial matters.
• JAMS: Largest private alternative dispute resolution provider in the US, offering mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution services across multiple sectors. JAMS is a relevant comparable as a major ADR services provider, though it is a for-profit, commercial provider rather than a community-based non-profit.
• American Arbitration Association (AAA): One of the oldest and largest ADR organizations in the US, administering arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution proceedings nationwide. Comparable to CDS in providing formal dispute resolution services, though at a much larger scale and broader scope.

Peers

• RESOLVE: Non-profit organization providing mediation, facilitation, training, and consulting on collaborative problem solving for public policy, community, and environmental disputes. Comparable to CDS in the non-profit ADR services and training space, though with a different geographic and topical focus.

Regional players

• Good Shepherd Mediation Program: Non-profit community mediation center serving the Philadelphia region with mediation, training, and restorative justice services. Comparable to CDS as a community-based non-profit dispute resolution center of similar size and service mix, though operating in a different geographic market.
• Center for Community Alternatives: New York-based non-profit providing restorative justice, mediation, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. Comparable to CDS in delivering restorative justice and community-based conflict resolution services within New York, though with a stronger justice-system diversion focus.

Emerging players

• Center for Children and Families (CCF) - Justice Programs: Non-profit providing family mediation, custody and visitation services, and supervised visitation in New York. Comparable to CDS in delivering family-focused mediation and court-referred services within the same state, though with a more narrowly focused family/child welfare scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centerfordisputesettlement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Dispute Settlement