SOUTH CENTRAL PROGRAM Carter County Courthouse 20 B Street SW Suite 101 Ardmore, OK 73401
Our program strives to provide conflict resolution services that are fair, effective, expeditious, and free of charge to the communities and court system of South Central Oklahoma.
We were able to celebrate the retirement of Harold Davis in Ardmore on January 26, 2023. Harold has volunteered for our program for 22 years and has mediated over 1500 cases. Joining us at the event were local Judges and Attorneys from the area. (Pictured from Left) District Judge Dennis Morris, Associate District Judge Laura Corbin, Volunteer Harold Davis, South Central ES Director Jaxie Johnston, Associate District Judge Carson Brooks, and ADR State Director Phil Johnson. Our volunteer mediators met for our Semi-annual Volunteer Luncheon. Pictured from left to right are Robyn Matthews, Office Manager, Harold Davis, Barbara Davis, Joe Barrett, Cynthia Johnson, Chris Perry, Shelly Aljoe, and Jaxie Johnston, South Central Program Director. We are so thankful for the countless hours these individuals pour into our program!Indian Child Welfare Conference! The Alternative Dispute Resolution System was invited to present at the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Conference in Durant this week. Tim Scott, Statewide Child Permanency Coordinator, Jaxie Johnston, Director, Early Settlement-South Central program, & Phil Johnson, Statewide Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution System, presented a breakout session about our nationally recognized mediation program to attendees. “It is always exciting to share about our program around the state,” Phil Johnson said, “we look forward to working collaboratively with our tribal courts.” Felice Hamilton, Director, Court Improvement Program, attended the conference as well. Pictured is volunteer mediator, Richard Craven, along with Jaxie Johnston, Program Director, at the Volunteer Conference this year. Richard has been a volunteer for our program for thirteen years and is a retired environmental consultant. He resides half of the year in Tishomingo, Oklahoma and the other half of the year in Oregon City, Oregon. Richard has volunteered 915 hours in 247 cases, while only mediating for half of each year! When asked what he enjoyed the most about mediating he replied, “Mediating family cases is rewarding to be able to help people get through the onerous situations of divorce and paternity.”Congratulations to Cynthia Johnson (pictured in middle) for winning the 2020 John R. McCune V. Volunteer of the Year Award. Cynthia was presented the award by the Administrative Director of the Courts, Jari Askins (pictured right), and congratulated by South Central Director, Jaxie Johnston (pictured left). Cynthia has been a volunteer mediator for over twelve years and loves giving back to her local community!Several of the South Central Volunteers attended the Annual Volunteer Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. The conference included refresher sessions for volunteers, recognition of the service they give back to their communities, and an opportunity to visit with other volunteers across Oklahoma. Pictured from left: Robyn Matthews (Office Manager), Chris Perry, Richard Craven, Harold Davis, Cynthia Johnson, and Jaxie Johnston (Program Director).
The South Central program is growing — and we want you to join us! As a volunteer mediator, you will assist people in your community in resolving conflict.
