The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution announces the availability of the 2007 Mini-Grants for Pro Bono and Legal Services Dispute Resolution Projects.

The Pro Bono and Legal Services Dispute Resolution Project (the "Project") invites pro bono programs, legal service programs, and other organizations that provide legal services to low income individuals to apply for mini-grants available to support the delivery of dispute resolution services to low-income persons. The Mini-Grants are made possible by a grant from the JAMS Foundation.

The ABA Mini-Grants provide some financial support to legal services or pro bono agencies for efforts to add, expand or improve a dispute resolution program. Grant applications are due by April 15, 2007. The five grantees will be announced by May 31, 2007.

Please see attached for The Mini-Grant Guidelines and RFP or view the Section of Dispute Resolution Pro Bono Committee page: http://www.abanet.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=DR222000 (look under related resources on the right side of the page).

The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution has two additional resources to assist legal services and pro bono programs. These resources are also available on the Pro Bono Committee page listed above.

· A Revised Manual for Pro Bono and Legal Services Dispute Resolution Programs.

This manual has the tools pro bono and legal services programs need to design a mediation program. The manual provides governing boards, chief executives and mediation program administrators the information needed to start a new program or to strengthen an existing program. It covers the benefits of mediation, how to design a program, the financial resources needed and where to find them, staffing the program, the recruitment of appropriate volunteer mediators, the screening and processing of cases, and sample forms and training tools.

· A new brochure that identifies the most common myths and barriers to the use of mediation for low income disputants: Beyond the Myths: Get the Facts about Dispute Resolution. The brochure addresses nine common myths or misconceptions held by legal services and pro bono practitioners. The subjects addressed range from issues such as whether mediation is a fair means of dispute resolution for low income disputants, including those with domestic violence issues, to the ability to enforce mediation agreements.

If you have questions regarding this email, please contact Gina Viola Brown at ginaviolabrown@gmail.com.