Ventura Center For Dispute Settlement

Specialties

The mission of VCDS is to foster the ideals, practice and awareness of mediation as an alternative to confrontational forms of dispute resolution. We do this through training mediators, educating the public, and providing programs to make mediation accessible to the citizens of Ventura County. We provide conciliation, mediation and arbitration services at low cost in confidential and voluntary processes of dispute resolution. VCDS is committed to a belief that placing a value on relationships is the key to building a stronger community. We believe this can best be accomplsihed by enabling people to disagree in a respectful way and by encouraging, trusting and helping members in our community to resolve conflicts on their own terms.

History

Established in 1990.

VCDS has served the courts and community of Ventura County providing low and no cost mediation, conciliation and arbitration services. In 2013, the Center was relocated to the Ventura County Community Foundation Non-​Profit Center, easily accessible to all Ventura County residents and businesses. The panels of experienced mediators and arbitrators are supplemented by interns and students engaged in communications and dispute resolution curricula at California State University Channel Islands, The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law and Pepperdine University School of Law and undergraduate programs. Comfortable, modern offices are available to mediators and others needing spaces for meetings and hearings.

Meet the Manager

Michael H.

Manager

I am the executive director of VCDS. We provide community mediation services at low cost to participants. We provide mediation support to the small claims courts of Ventura County, CA., mediators and arbitrators for private mediations and arbitrations at reduced rates; and expert training for mediators and those who wish to serve as mediators. We are located in the Ventura County Community Foundation Non-​Profit Center in Camarillo, CA., and have offices available for the use of mediators and arbitrators at reasonable rates.