Executive Branch Consultation

MODR provides mediation, consensus building, dispute systems design and policy consultation services to help executive branch agencies better manage conflict and effectively deploy collaborative approaches when working with both internal and external stakeholders. MODR consults on how to develop and launch dispute resolution programs and collaborative processes, deal with organizational resistance and constraints, ensure that the design fits the larger organizational culture and regulatory scheme, motivate people to use the system/process; and evaluate the system/process to determine if it works.

MODR provides technical assistance and consultation to executive branch agencies and training for agency ADR Coordinators under Executive Order #416: Integrating Dispute Resolution into State Government (pdf) . MODR has served as the lead agency for this initiative. The Order directs executive branch agencies to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for all appropriate matters, to establish a system for reviewing conflicts for ADR potential, and to designate an ADR Coordinator to be an in-house resource for dispute resolution policies and activities. Under this initiative, progress has been made toward the goal of integrating ADR into the culture and practice of state agencies.

Examples of MODR's Work:

Executive Office for Health and Human Services Interagency Review Teams: MODR worked with EOHHS to develop and deliver a training plan for Regional Planning and Review Teams (PRT) comprised of senior staff from EOHHS agencies -- DSS, DMH, DMR, DPH, DYS, DTA, Mass Health -- and family representatives to facilitate interagency collaboration and problem-solving on complex and problematic child welfare cases. The plan involves facilitation, collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution skills trainings for PRT members in order to build capacity for the success of these interagency teams.

Department of Social Services Collaborative Procurement Reform: DSS engaged MODR to convene and facilitate a consensus process to expand the dialogue and encourage creative thinking among DSS stakeholders on issues related to case and service management roles and responsibilities and the allocation of decision-making between DSS and its service providers. After conducting a stakeholder assessment, MODR designed and facilitated a nine-week consensus process that involved a group of 26 stakeholder representatives (including DSS staff, providers and families). The group agreed on a set of recommendations to the DSS Commissioner which for use in a new DSS system of care procurement.

Department of Early Education & Care Regulatory Reform: The newly formed EEC, which combined the functions of two state agencies, engaged MODR to facilitate a series of meetings among staff to prepare a revised regulatory structure and to develop a workforce development plan. MODR provided designed and managed consensus processes for both of these projects and provided facilitator services that assisted both project committees to complete their tasks efficiently.

See more examples

Executive Branch Program contact:

Susan Jeghelian, Executive Director
MODR at UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard, M-1-627
Boston, MA 02125
Telephone: (617) 287-4047; Fax: (617) 287-4049
susan.jeghelian@umb.edu