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 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 any one 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. Participants typically include human resource
managers, attorneys, judges, law school students, business leaders,
healthcare professionals, supervisors, managers, union leaders,
EEO officers, government employees, clergy, social service personnel,teachers,
and others.
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 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:
LeeAnn Massucci , Adjunct Professor
