The Albany County Family Court Child Permanency Mediation Program, designed with the participation of various stakeholder groups and coordinated by Mediation Matters, promotes collaborative planning in selected matters before the Court.
This is accomplished through mediation between such parties as:
- the Albany County Department of Children, Youth and Families (ACDCYF);
- foster care and human services agencies;
- biological, foster and adoptive parents;
- family members;
- advocates for children and families;
- the law guardian for the child;
- other stakeholders; and,
- when appropriate, the child.
Mediation provides an avenue for people to resolve conflicts (such as those between family members or with service providers) so that the individuals are better able to focus on achieving the best outcome for the child or children involved.
Typical goals for participants in the Permanency Mediation Program are to:
- develop a plan for ensuring the safety of the child;
- explore, and plan for, options to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs;
- focus on family preservation and strengthening families;
- support options to provide for the child’s best interest; and
- expedite placement of the child in a safe, permanent and loving home.
Mediators do not offer their opinions during this process. Rather, they help parties to identify issues and concerns, to clarify perceptions and to explore options for a mutually acceptable outcome that is tailored to the best interests of the child or children.
Research has found that permanency mediation assists the courts, involved agencies and families in resolving conflict; creates a proactive stance when examining child welfare issues; and yields increased options in regard to permanency planning. Mediation participants have found the experience to be positive and to yield enhanced resources for planning for a child’s safety and stability. In courts where there is an effective program of permanency mediation, there are higher rates of parental compliance and shorter stays in foster care for the children.
Child Permanency Mediation services are available at no cost to families. |
