Dear DRC Community,
During the past several weeks, our volunteers have been so supportive in keeping us up to date with information about the coronavirus public health emergency as well as continuing to provide services to the court and our other programs. We thank you for putting yourself on the line to keep the agency moving forward. We are also appreciative of those volunteers who monitored their health and decided to step away for everyone’s safety. The health of our volunteer community, staff and board is extremely important. Because of the increase in cases, here is where we are now:
We are following the governor’s request to practice social distancing now through the end of April and we will reassess as we are updated. DRC staff will be working from home for the majority of the time. The Good Shepherd Center is still open but no training rooms are available for more than 10 people. As long as Good Shepherd Center is open and 501 Commons is able to do our payroll, and financials, I will go in and work with Eileen, our bookkeeper, to make sure people are paid.
Small Claims Court: As of March13th all small claims calendars have stopped. No date was given as to when they will consider reopening. During this time the leads and staff will be collaborating with the court to see if we can provide mediation to the parties through tele/video conferencing. As we receive information, we will pass it along to the court mediators.
Mediation Rooms: Our mediation rooms will not be available for rent during this time. We will reopen once we know it is safe to continue. All board meetings will be conducted via Zoom.
Mediation Services: We are rescheduling all March and April mediations from in person to online via Zoom. We are in the process of establishing online mediation. Some of you were previously trained for this type of mediation and have responded to Caroline’s email to sign up. We really appreciate your willingness to volunteer in this way because this will allow the practicum students to move along with their observations. It may take us a few weeks to perfect the process, but we are determined to make this work. If you would be comfortable conducting online mediation please let Caroline or your court lead know and we will be in touch soon.
Veteran Seniors Human Services Levy (VSHSL): We will continue our program design, reach out to our partners remotely and complete our Outreach plan.
Additionally, we will be offering coaching and mediation services via telephone or video conferencing in April
Best Starts for Kids (BSK): Tukwila School District is following Governor Inslee’s orders and closing school from Monday March 16th through Friday, April 24th. We will be working remotely on evaluation and reporting, and catching up on other restorative practices work. Programming, however, is cancelled/postponed until schools re-open. Best Starts for Kids is still supporting all of the organizations that receive funding through this grant.
Foreclosure Department: Department of Commerce has made an exception to in-person mediation; Mediations will be moved to phone/online for the near future. Sharon Moon can answer any questions you may have.
Training Department:
- Basic Mediation Training has been cancelled for April and we will make a decision about June at a later date.
- Practicum: We continue to move forward with the hope that our move to virtual or audio will allow students to finish their observations and the theory to practice sessions. We will assess whether the students can begin their work in small groups at the end of April.
- Court Intensive: This track was established to allow students to complete their work using online modules and then receiving feedback from mentor mediators and leads. The program includes 2 in person sessions. The one for March 21st will be postponed.
This situation is quite fluid and can change at any time. We will do our best to keep you informed. When you do return, please know we have increased our in-house sanitization. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes have been placed in each room and extra cleaning is being done in common areas of the Good Shepherd Center.
The Board and Staff wish you and your families the best of health through this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Patti Dinsmore
Executive Director
DisputeResolution Center of King County