Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) is sponsoring legislation (S.3577) in the Senate to increase state funding for county dispute resolution centers (DRCs) from $20,000 to $40,000.

"Dispute Resolution Centers are non-profit organizations that provide mediation, group facilitation and arbitration on issues involving family, youth, school, housing, and business as an alternative to the traditional court system," explained Senator Larkin. "In addition, DRCs are an important resource for educational training and workshops in our local communities. They are especially helpful in developing the conflict resolution skills of youth in their work with school administrators, staff, and parents."Larkin said the state’s dispute resolution centers have not received an increase in state funding since 1981. "This bill is needed to reflect the cost of inflation and higher operating costs since 1981," said Larkin.

Established in 1981, there are centers in all 62 New York Counties. The Dispute Resolution Centers (DRC), serving Orange and Ulster Counties, are located at 14 Scotchtown Ave in Goshen,0 and at 25 Lucas Avenue in Kingston.