Statewide offices of mediation were established in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio and New Jersey. NIDR's role was to help a number of parties with disparate interests design disputing systems attuned to their particular environments. This role involved providing technical assistance, financial support, and moral support to help each office grow from proposed idea to final product. NIDR did not design each model, but encouraged the participants to custom design their own models consistent within six principles of dispute system design previously chosen. Personnel at all five States have offices which are currently working to offer disputing systems that put the focus on interests as well as provide the necessary motivation, skills and resources to resolve disputes. Some offices function as troubleshooters that head off disputes. All five State offices provide advice on procedures that are in a low-to-high-cost sequence. This work on dispute systems design is making it possible for public agencies, courts, and other institutions to design and test systems that extend from case screening to final resolution. 5 references, 5 notes.