Which alternative dispute resolution method does the CDFA utilize?

The CDFA utilizes mediation and facilitation as its primary alternative dispute resolution method. This approach focuses on resolving conflicts through negotiation and dialogue, allowing parties to work collaboratively towards a mutually agreeable solution. Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who guides the conversation, ensuring that all voices are heard while helping to clarify issues and identify areas of potential agreement.

Facilitation complements this process by promoting an open and constructive environment for discussions, often crucial in situations where ongoing relationships are important. Together, these methods emphasize collaboration over adversarial confrontation, reflecting a commitment to finding solutions that all parties can accept without the need for more formal or litigative measures.

While arbitration, litigation, and public hearings are all methods of conflict resolution, they do not align with the CDFA’s focus on collaborative processes. Arbitration can impose a decision from an outside party, while litigation often results in a more adversarial and formal system that may exacerbate conflicts. Public hearings serve a different purpose, typically related to gathering public input rather than resolving disputes. Thus, mediation and facilitation stand out as the most effective methods employed by the CDFA for resolving conflicts.