MELVILLE, NY; MAY 4, 2011 - While its mission is to work toward delivering a win-win experience for individuals, families and businesses engaged in conflicts and disputes, Melville-based Mediation & Collaborative Action Group recently achieved a win of its very own, receiving The Sally Ann Slacke Memorial Award/Linda Jasper Memorial Award from Suffolk County Women's Business Enterprise Coalition's (SCWBEC) Research & Education Fund. Mediation & Collaborative Action Group, a firm specializing in effectively addressing and resolving family and business conflicts without threat of litigation through methods of mediation and collaboration, was selected as the recipient for both awards after having submitted a detailed essay and business plan outlining strategy for achieving growth and success. To support its award-winning business model, which revolved around marketing and public relations, Mediation & Collaborative Action Group was given $2,000 to help implement its plan. "There are so many people out there who are unaware that mediation and collaborative services are available as viable, alternative means for handling conflicts and disputes," explains Mediation & Collaborative Action Group Co-Founder and Partner Gloria Ciolli, MSW, CSW, ACSW, LMSW, who is a licensed social worker and conflict specialist for more than 20 years. "The business plan we submitted to Suffolk County Women's Enterprise Coalition focused on the implementation of a marketing and public relations campaign to help drive an understanding of the mediation and collaborative process so we can generate awareness that legal recourse is not the only option." Mediation & Collaborative Action Group Co-Founder and Partner Rita Medaglio-Barrera, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst „¢ with 15 years experience in financial planning, investments and divorce, adds, "By winning The Sally Ann Slacke Memorial Award/Linda Jasper Memorial Award, we are afforded the opportunity to educate the public about mediation and collaborative services so they can be made aware there are other considerable conflict resolution methods beyond that of the often time-consuming and costly litigation process, which, in light of our still struggling economy, is not always a likely and affordable option for everyone." SCWBEC's Research & Education Fund Board Chair Dorothy Cardi says that Mediation & Collaborative Action Group earned its rightful place as this year's award recipient because of its strong business sense and clear marketing vision. "Mediation & Collaborative Action Group was selected as the ideal contender for The Sally Ann Slacke Memorial Award/Linda Jasper Memorial Award because it fulfilled all of our eligibility criteria. The application that was submitted was very thorough and proved that Mediation & Collaborative Action Group is a solid company that is spearheaded by two business women who have a concrete understanding about their market and the measures they need to take in order to see continued growth," says Cardi. "We are happy that our award will allow Gloria and Rita the opportunity to not only advertise their business, but also educate the public about their business." Given out each year in recognition of an influential female business owner who serves as an inspiration for other women business owners, The Sally Ann Slacke Memorial Award and Linda Jasper Memorial Award are named after Sally Ann Slacke and Linda Jasper, both of whom were among the original members who started SCWBEC. Originally established in 1990, SCWBEC is an organization that is dedicated to helping women-owned businesses in Suffolk County certify themselves as women-owned businesses and assisting them in the bidding process by putting them in contact with procurement agents. Priding itself on its namesake, Mediation & Collaborative Action Group offers an alternative method to conflict resolution through the use of mediation and collaborative practices. While these approaches minimize the financial and emotional burdens that many individuals, families and businesses typically endure while in dispute, they also present a neutral, controlled environment for facilitating negotiations without the threat of litigation. Among its vast areas of expertise are taxation, financial analysis, divorce, mediation and psycho-dynamics. Its team of conflict resolution experts are spearheaded by Gloria Ciolli, MSW, CSW, ACSW, LMSW, a licensed social worker and conflict specialist of more than 20 years, and Rita Medaglio-Barrera, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst „¢ with 15 years experience in financial planning, investments and divorce. # # #