Funding for the program provided by agrant from The U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, Adminis-tration for Children and Families, and theCourt Improvement Program.
Each mediation team has two members.Teams are available to serve each courtlocation. The composition of each teamtakes into account gender, culturalcompetency and area of expertise. Theteams include Court Services Officers,private attorneys and clinicians. Themediation teams receive approximatelyfifty (50) hours of training before theymay take cases.
What Types of CasesWhat Types of CasesWhat Types of CasesWhat Types of CasesWhat Types of Casesmay be Referred?may be Referred?may be Referred?may be Referred?may be Referred?
Referrals for mediation are not limited tocertain case types. Any child protectionmatter including neglect, termination,permanency review and guardianshipcases may be referred.
Case issues include, but are not limited to:Complex service and resourceavailability
New trial court litigation on cases wherean appeal is pending on other issues
About Child Protection Mediation Resolving Disputes to Create an Optimal Nurturing Environment
Who are the Mediators?Who are the Mediators?Who are the Mediators?Who are the Mediators?Who are the Mediators? How is a Case Referred?How is a Case Referred?How is a Case Referred?How is a Case Referred?How is a Case Referred?
Cases may be referred at any stage inthe case after filing
A case may be referred in court, at acase management conference, or at acase status conference
The Process Includes:Completing the intake process witha Court Services Officer
Obtaining the Judge’s approval
Intake/Referral Process:Complete intake/referral form
Select a mediation team
Sign agreement to participate inmediation/confidentiality agreement
Schedule a return to court date
What Happens After theWhat Happens After theWhat Happens After theWhat Happens After theWhat Happens After theMediation Session?Mediation Session?Mediation Session?Mediation Session?Mediation Session?
If the participants reach an agreement, theparties reduce the agreement to writing.The agreement is then reviewed in courtby the judge and, if approved, incorporatedinto the case outcome.
If the participants do not reach an agreementthey return to court for future casescheduling and handling.
What is ChildWhat is ChildWhat is ChildWhat is ChildWhat is ChildProtection Mediation?Protection Mediation?Protection Mediation?Protection Mediation?Protection Mediation?
Child protection mediation is a voluntary,non-adversarial dispute resolutionprogram. The program is designed toexpand on existing conferencing models,which include Order of TemporaryCustody and Termination of ParentalRights case management conferences andcase status conferences.
