Court ADR Program Advisors (CAPA) Project
The Section of Dispute Resolution's Court ADR Program Advisors (CAPA) Project aids courts and non-profit organizations working with courts to develop court-annexed alternative dispute resolution programs. As court ADR programs have developed in their range and sophistication, the personnel within these programs have informally served as mentors, advisors, and resources to other programs seeking to start up, improve, or refine a court ADR Program. The CAPA Project formalizes this process and has recruited ADR program administrators, court administrators, researchers and judges from across the country to serve as experts in advising court personnel on a myriad of topics including program qualifications, ethics and evaluation. By accepting requests for resources as well as requests for the services of an Advisor, we anticipate that this project will make it easier for courts to find the information and guidance they seek, will ease the burden on those court ADR personnel who currently provide the advice, and will generate a library of ready-made information that is responsive to typical court requests
The CAPA Process includes an extensive staff-driven intake, during which the case manager will identify readily available resources, refer the caller to a regional resource, or prepare the caller to engage in the Advisory Process. For requests selected for the Advisory Process, the intake will be followed by a preparation period, during which the requestor will complete a survey (see 'Planning Questions' below) describing the nature and status of the court and its ADR programs. Once this information is received, the case manager will identify resources for the Advisory Meeting, assign an Advisor, and collaboratively work with the requestor to generate a meeting agenda. When all information has been shared between the Project and the court personnel, the Advisory Meeting will be scheduled and convened.
Click here to view Technical Assistance Bulletins
Click here to view the Request for Assistance form
Click here to view the Planning Questions for the Advisory Process
Click here to view a brochure describing CAPA and its Advisors
