How do we bring dispute resolution to everyone, not just those who can afford court? In this episode of the AAA-ICDR Foundation Podcast, American Arbitration Association President & CEO Bridget McCormack joins host Tracey Frisch to explore how the Foundation scales access to justice through mediation, community partnerships, and practical innovation.
The MRU is an innovative alternative response program that dispatches trained community mediators to handle lower-level emergency 911 and police calls across the City of Dayton. Since 2022, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has supported the creation and expansion of the MRU, funded a professional program evaluation, and helped develop an implementation guide for communities interested in launching similar initiatives.
The Foundation is pleased to announce two new grants approved in February 2026
This evaluation highlights the Dayton Mediation Response Unit development, implementation, and early impacts. Findings show that mediation-based response offers an effective, humane alternative to traditional enforcement models, with early evidence of increased community trust and more equitable access to services. The evaluation identifies the MRU as a viable, scalable model for other communities to consider.