The
Center's History
The Center for Dispute Settlement, established in 1973, was the first dispute resolution center in New York State and the third in the country. Under the impetus of the Rochester Public School Integration reorganization crisis, the American Arbitration Association founded the Community Dispute Services in Rochester, New York, in 1973.
As the Community Dispute Services agency became more deeply immersed in the Rochester community, its programs expanded to encompass not only civil and criminal matters referred from Rochester city and town courts, but also juvenile and custody and visitation matters from family court. Additionally, training in conflict resolution techniques for community groups, institutions and municipalities were undertaken and contracts were entered into with various community agencies, organizations and businesses.
Recognizing that its work and mission were significantly different from those of the American Arbitration Association, the Center for Dispute Services of Rochester changed its name to the Center for Dispute Settlement and became, in October of 1979, a separate nonprofit organization. After 1983, its services expanded to the counties of Livingston, Ontario, Wayne; in 1985 to Seneca and Yates counties. Steuben County is the newest addition — joining in 1997.
Since its establishment in 1973, hundreds of volunteer members of the Community have been trained and serve as third party neutrals, successfully resolving thousands of cases per year that would otherwise go to court.Return to ABOUT US section page.