§ 25-2909 Grants; application; contents; approved centers; reports

25-2909. Grants; application; contents; approved centers; reports

    (1) The office shall annually award grants to approved centers. It is the intent of the Legislature that centers be established and grants distributed statewide.

    (2) A center or an entity proposing a center may apply to the office for approval to participate in the dispute resolution process pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Act by submitting an application which includes:

        (a) A plan for the operation of the center;

        (b) The center's objectives;

        (c) The areas of population to be served;

        (d) The administrative organization;

        (e) Record-keeping procedures;

        (f) Procedures for intake, for scheduling, and for conducting and terminating dispute resolution sessions;

        (g) Qualifications for mediators for the center;

        (h) An annual budget for the center; and

        (i) Proof of 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code or proof of establishment by a court.

    The office may specify additional criteria for approval and for grants as it deems necessary.

    (3) Annual reports shall be required of each approved center. The reports shall include the number and types of cases handled in the year and a showing of continued compliance with the act. Any programs existing on September 6, 1991, shall not be included in the act unless they apply and are approved under this section.