Training Program

MODR offers training in conflict resolution, collaborative problem-solving, and meeting facilitation skills to state agencies, municipalities, non-profits and individuals.

Approach to Training

MODR's training programs encourage participants to explore dispute resolution skills and the theories behind them. Participants learn real skills that help them handle conflicts in their organizations, and practice these newly learned skills though role-plays that mirror the conflict situations they face in their work. Skill building can focus on a variety of areas, from conflict analysis and prevention to creative problem solving to negotiating with challenging personalities.

MODR custom designs each training program by identifying the specific needs of an organization through focus groups, surveys and interviews with prospective trainees and their managers/staff. Each participant walks away with hands-on skills for resolving disputes and a greater sense of confidence in dealing with conflict. MODR also designs Trainer Manuals to assist other trainers in conducting trainings.

Workshops range in length from a half-day to a complete 30-hour mediation training. A two-day skill-building workshop is our most requested program. MODR trainers are drawn from MODR's professional staff and affiliated panel of independent dispute resolution practitioners that have expertise in a particular context area.

Types of Training

- Arbitration
- Facilitation & Meeting Management
- Conciliation
- Mediation (Basic & Advanced)
- Case Evaluation
- Negotiation (Basic & Advanced)
- Collaborative Problem Solving
- Partnering
- Conflict Assessment & Resolution
- Train-the-Trainer
- Consensus Building
- Workplace Climate Improvement
- Deliberative Dialogue
- Workplace Violence Prevention
- Diversity / Cultural Competency

Examples of MODR Trainings:

Office of the Attorney General - Collaborative Negotiation Skills Training for Assistant Attorneys General through the Attorney General's Training Institute to enhance knowledge and build skills for effective internal and external negotiations.

Department of Capital Asset Management Negotiation, Facilitation, and Conflict Resolution Training for legal counsel and managers; provided participants with skills to facilitate collaborative processes and enhance communication and problem-solving on large public construction projects.

Mass Highway Department (MHD) Partnering/Facilitation Skills Training for MHD partnering coordinators from all regions; provided participants with skills to facilitate collaborative processes and enhance communication and problem-solving on large public construction projects.

Department of Mental Retardation Collaborative Negotiation Skills Training for DMR Case workers and Vendors

Department of Industrial Accidents Conciliator Skills Training

Superior Court Conciliator Training for Pilot Programs in Worcester and Middlesex Counties

30-Hour Mediation Skills Trainings for State and Municipal Employees

Training Program contact:

Loraine DellaPorta, Deputy Director
MODR at UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard, M-1-627
Boston, MA 02125
Telephone: (617) 287-4048; Fax: (617) 287-4049
Loraine.Dellaporta@umb.edu