"Excellent knowledge and
presentation. Very informed, informative, responsive and energetic enough to
sustain the 40 hour course. Well Done!"
Description:
Mediation in the domestic/divorce arena combines a
thorough understanding of the basic skills of mediation with the substantive
knowledge of the relevant issues on divorce such as custody, visitation, support
and property division. The student will receive education and training that
will explore these areas as well as provide the necessary educational
requirements to comply with the standard divorce/domestic mediation
certification. This course was developed to comply with the Ohio Supreme Court
requirements for a 40 hour divorce mediation course.
The Supreme Court of Ohio has established specific
guidelines for qualifications for family court mediators. Rule 16 sets forth
some basic requirements for family mediators that are applicable to many kinds
of mediation. Specifically, it requires that mediators who mediate allocation of
parenting responsibilities have :
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent education,
•
Two years of professional experience with families, and
• Completion of a
basic 12 hour mediation course (or equivalent mediation experience) followed by
a 40 hour, specialized family or divorce mediation training. The 40 hour course
must be approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Completion of a 2 day
domestic abuse issues course offered by the Supreme Court of Ohio is required
for anyone receiving referrals from a juvenile or domestic relations court where
there is a local rule providing for mediation.
• Local courts may require
observation of and mentoring with experienced mediators, continuing education
for mediators and that those mediators maintain malpractice insurance coverage.
Audience:
Persons seeking the 40 hour Supreme Court of Ohio
court-approved training, plus anyone who wants to develop a comprehensive set of
skills for divorce and family mediation.
Prerequisite: Minimum of a basic
12 hour mediation course (40 hour course preferred)
Competencies: Participants will
gain the following competencies:
• Recognize the myriad of emotional issues that
may surface in divorce & family mediation
• Screen for appropriateness of
mediation, including ability to screen for domestic violence
• Recognize/understand the
substantive issues pertinent to divorce & family mediations
• Develop skills of problem
solving between the parties, especially in areas of divorce, including, but not
limited to parenting, support, division of assets/liabilities, tax, retirement,
etc
• Understand the importance of
working with legal counsel as well as other professionals
• Recognize the limits of the
mediator and the trappings of the "unauthorized practice of law"
• Understand the court referred
mediation process
• Know the factors to consider
in developing a family mediation practice
Lead Faculty:
Thomas J. Addesa, Adjunct Professor