What is the DRC?
The Volunteers of America Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) is a conflict resolution center with extensive experience as a mediation and training program.
The DRC was founded by Volunteers of America in 1982 as the Rental Housing Mediation Service and serves as the Fair Housing Counselor for Snohomish County. In 1986, it became the first dispute resolution center in the State of Washington pursuant to state legislation RCW 7.75.
We provide a wide range of professional and affordable conflict resolution services that include:
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Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant Services
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Large Group Facilitation
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Mediation
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Small Claims Court Mediation
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Workplace Consultation
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Training programs
Mediation Services
As an alternative to living with the stress of conflict or the anxiety of the formal legal system, mediation can help people in conflict find workable solutions quickly and affordably.
Using a voluntary and confidential process, neutral mediators help parties in conflict reach a mutually satisfying agreement. Mediators assist parties in communicating with each other and encourage everyone to collaboratively solve a problem with a solution that meets everyone's needs.
Mediation can be used in a variety of disputes, including but not limited to:
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Family (divorce, parenting plans, eldercare, and parent/teen issues)
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Neighborhood
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Business/Consumer
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Landlord/Tenant
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Workplace
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Foreclosure
What to Expect from Mediation
Mediators at the DRC are neutral, third party facilitators. They are present to help the clients communicate effectively about their dispute and encourage the clients to work collaboratively toward a solution. The mediators will not take sides or give advice. They will not tell you what to do or impose a decision on you.
In mediation you will be asked to participate in good faith. This will include listening to the other party, keeping and open mind about solutions and truly working toward a win-win solution. Clients will be asked to give serious consideration to proposals made during the mediation.
It is very important for clients to participate in mediation using basic rules of common courtesy. You will be asked to refrain from interrupting the other party, using inflammatory language, name calling and pushing the other parties hot buttons.
The process is designed to help you communicate with the other person and focus on problem solving. It will include an introductory statement by the mediators, followed by uninterrupted statements by each of you. This statement should focus on what has brought you to the mediation and what you would like to see happen. The mediators will then help the two of you create a list of items to discuss during the mediation. You will be given an opportunity to negotiate with the other person while the mediators assist by facilitating the conversation. Finally the mediators will put into writing any agreements the two of you reach.
It's important for mediation clients to be prepared. Please remember to email any paperwork you will need to help make an informed decision to your case manager prior to the mediation. It can also be helpful to complete a Mediation Preparation Worksheet. With online mediation, it is important to provide these documents to your case manager at least two weeks prior to your mediation.
Neither DRC staff nor the mediators in a case will provide legal advice. If you need the assistance of an attorney prior to your mediation, you are encouraged to seek any outside information you will need to help you negotiate.
Mediation Resources
Looking for training or team building?
We offer professional training of the highest caliber, created and developed with over thirty years of experience in the conflict management field. Our trainers demonstrate a great breadth of skill and insight and use interactive instruction to provide a variety of lecture, discussion and practice sessions for participants. We offer a variety of in person trainings including:
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Basic Mediation Training
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Family
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Trauma Informed/DEI
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Customizable Trainings
In addition to learning valuable life skills, many students receive continuing education credits, clock hours and college credits for completing our trainings. Continuing Legal Education credits can be received through the Washington State Bar Association and other credits may be available through your professional organization.
Workplace Services
Handling conflict in a constructive manner can lead to improved relationships, reduced cost of conflict, increased trust, reduced stress, and a sense of team.
Let us help you get the best from conflict.
Small Claims Court
When you file a claim in Snohomish County (Cascade, Everett, Evergreen or South Division), Island County or Skagit County, your first date of appearance at court will be for a mediation session. You do not need to contact the Dispute Resolution Center prior. Mediators will be automatically provided for your mediation session at the courthouse.
If you have questions about filing your court paperwork or the court process, you will need to contact the appropriate District Court.
Skagit Valley Small Claims Mediation
Within Skagit County most small claims cases are required to go through mediation before trial will be conducted. Learn more by visiting the Skagit County District Court website.
Need help?
Call Skagit Valley DRC
1-800-280-4770
Skagit Valley Online Mediation
Mediation is a great, cost-effective alternative to formal legal systems and dealing with the stress of conflict; parties are able to find satisfying solutions in a timely manner. Led by skilled neutral mediators, this confidential, voluntary process fosters collaborative, communicative problem-solving.
Applicable to diverse disputes, including:
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Family: such as divorce, parenting plan, elder care and parent/teen issues
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Neighborhood
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Business/Consumer
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Landlord/Tenant
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Workplace
Small Claims Process
The judge will give opening remarks about the mediation process and why it’s beneficial to participate fully in the process. The judge will call through the calendar and in cases where both parties to a case are present, they will be sent to mediation.
Mediators will escort you to a mediation room where one mediator will deliver some additional information that will help you make the most of the mediation process. Mediators will help you negotiate your case to see if a satisfactory resolution can be reached. All settlements are legally binding and protect both parties. There is no risk to settling your case. If either party breaks the contract, the other can request a trial before a judge.
Bring all documentation to mediation that you will be presenting at trial. This allows all parties to make an informed decision based on what will be presented at trial.
Witnesses are not necessary at mediation and will be asked to wait outside of the mediation. Witnesses only participate in mediation if all the parties listed in the dispute agree to have the witness participate.
Mediators are neutral 3rd parties and do not give legal advice or recommend how to resolve your case. They are highly trained and will guide you through a process that will allow each party an opportunity to share the views and options for resolving your case. Once a mutually satisfying agreement has been reached the mediator will write out your agreement which captures the details of your settlement.
The mediation process is confidential. Requests and offers are protected by confidentiality. Once you go to trial the judge will not hear offers made in mediation. This allows you to be creative and flexible when making offers to resolve the case.
The process is designed to help you communicate with the other person and focus on problem solving. It will include an introductory statement by the mediators, followed by uninterrupted statements by each of you. This statement should focus on what has brought you to the mediation and what you would like to see happen. The mediators will then help the two of you create a list of items to discuss during the mediation. You will be given an opportunity to negotiate with the other person while the mediators assist by facilitating the conversation. Finally the mediators will put into writing any agreements the two of you reach.
Landlords
The Washington State Department of Commerce's Landlord Fund Programs include a COVID relief program.
For those who are not currently represented, various landlord associations have supplier or vendor directories that may be able to assist you in navigating available resources.
Get in touch!
Please take a moment to review our service offerings above. This will help us connect you with the appropriate department when you call or email us.
Everett (Snohomish County)
2801 Lombard St
Everett WA 98201
Phone | (425) 339-1335
Fax | (425) 259-2110
Mailing Address | PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839
Mount Vernon (Skagit County)
117 N First St, Ste 30
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Phone | (360) 542-8487
Fax | (360) 428-8675
Island County / Toll Free
Phone | (800) 280-4770
Mediation Services
Lisa Yant
(425) 212-2930
Mediation/Conflict Resolution Training
Tiffany Littlefield
(425) 212-3929
Landlord-Tenant Law and Fair Housing
Jake Leasure, Counselor & Community Trainer
(425) 315-3286
Mediation Fee Refund Policy
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A non-refundable fee of $75.00 per party for case management applies.
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After mediation fees are received by both parties, the fees are not refundable; however, the case will be placed in holding for one year, during which time clients may schedule mediation. After one year the fees are forfeited.
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Cancellations requested after a mediation has been scheduled will result in fees being applied to future sessions and those fees will not be refunded. Cancelled mediations will require a $65 rescheduling fee.