Alternative Dispute Resolution Division

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Division provides Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services in appeals filed with the Board's other three Divisions (Appellate, Civil Remedies and Medicare Operations Division) The ADR also supports the Dispute Resolution Specialist (Constance Tobias, Chair, Departmental Appeals Board) in carrying out her responsibilities for ADR policy and program development.

For appeals filed with the Board, mediation is the most commonly requested ADR service, followed by ombudsman services and early neutral evaluation. Dispute Resolution Specialist activities include providing mediation and facilitation services to the Department's constituent agency EEO and other workplace conflict resolution programs, providing conflict resolution training, advice and guidance on ADR system development and design, and participating in inter-agency ADR activities through the Federal Inter-Agency ADR Steering Committee and the Federal Sharing Neutrals Program.

Mediation
Mediation is assisted negotiation. In mediation, a trained, neutral third party helps two or more parties negotiate to resolve their dispute. Mediation typically employs a problem-solving approach to address conflict rather than the traditional, adversarial method. Mediators are trained in communication and problem solving skills, which they use to help parties make the best possible decisions about whether to, and how to, resolve their dispute.

Sharing Neutrals
Sharing Neutrals (SN) is an interagency mediation program in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. SN provides free mediators to participating Federal agencies. SN operates through a pool of trained and experienced collateral duty mediators who provide mediation services to agencies other than their own in exchange for like services to the program from the recipient agency.

Standards of Practice for HHS Mediators and Sharing Neutrals
The Standards of Practice for HHS Mediators and Sharing Neutrals are modeled on the Standards of Practice for Postal Service Mediators. Modifications were made to reflect both the voluntary nature of Sharing Neutrals and the fact that mediators are federal employees.

While the standards refer primarily to mediators, all participants are encouraged to review them carefully. Policies and practices that uphold these standards will help ensure fairness for the parties and the process.