Welcome to the Benton Franklin Dispute Resolution Center website!

The Benton Franklin Dispute Resolution Center is a community-based and court-approved mediation, dispute resolution and training services provider for Benton and Franklin counties in southeastern Washington State.

Our Mission:

The Benton Franklin Dispute Resolution Center offers mediation, facilitation and conciliation services assisting those in conflict to reach mutually acceptable agreements. We provide education and training to individuals, businesses, and organizations to enhance the skills necessary for managing and resolving conflict.

Welcome to our website! We are delighted that you stopped by. Please browse around for information regarding conflict resolution and mediation.

BFDRC was created in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and tax-exempt corporation, located in Kennewick, Washington. The Center provides low cost mediation, dispute resolution and training services to the people and organizations of Benton and Franklin counties. The Center is governed by a nine member Board of Directors from throughout the community. As the Superior Court designated mediation provider, we are funded through court filing fees, fees for services and contributions.

Mediation is rapidly becoming an integral part of our court system. It's purpose is to assist litigants and others in conflict to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of their issues either without using the court system, or prior to a trial. Our purpose is to provide high quality, low cost professional mediation and training services to the community.

Each of our mediators has completed a minimum of 40 hours of formal, classroom training, and a comprehensive written examination. New mediators always work under the guidance and supervision of experienced, certified mediators.

We successfully mediated some 300 cases in the year 2006, with more than 80% of the people involved finding a satisfactory solution to the dispute. Most cases reached settlement in only one session, and almost all in just two sessions.

Welcome!

Paul Shelp, Executive Director

Amanda Nore, Intake Specialist

Caity Riniker, Community Education Coordinator

Ti Nelson, Ombuds Specialist

Shawn Campbell, Ombuds Specialist

Board of Directors:

Charles LoPresti, Acting President

Wes Luckey

Edye Jenkins, Secretary

Scott Wilson, Treasurer

Judy Bell

Darrell Puls

Howard Rickard

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