| HOW TO BECOME AN ACTIVE MEDIATOR FOR THE CENTER
In order to an individual to obtain active status with Mediation Matters, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of a 30-Hour Basic Mediation Training Course
- Observing a minimum of three mediation sessions.
- Co-mediating a minimum of two mediation sessions with an experienced mediator.
- Holding a debriefing session with a Center staff member or mentor after each observation and co-mediation session.
Once active, a mediator must meet the following standards in order to maintain their active status:
- Mediate a minimum of three cases over a one-year period;
- Take a minimum of six hours of continuing education through in-service training sessions offered by the Center or approved by the Center Director.
Apprenticeship Plan & Mediator Skills-building
Mediation Matters has established the following policy for training, maintaining, and developing its mediator panel:
Training
- Interested individuals are interviewed to determine their interest in mediation and the likelihood that they will mediate for the agency.
- Accepted individuals will complete a 30-hour Basic Mediation Training with a Certified Trainer. During the training, each trainee shall mediate at least two structured role-role plays.
- Trainees receive a certificate upon successful completion of the training. This document indicates only that the individual has completed the training and is qualified to apprentice with Mediation Matters.
Apprenticeship
- Upon completion of the Basic Training, apprentices will observe and/or co-mediate (with a veteran mediator) a minimum of six cases, at least one of which shall be observed by staff. Debriefing with staff and co-mediators shall occur after each of these sessions.
- Apprentices shall, during the first year following the training, attend a minimum of 12 hours of mediation training, a minimum of six hours of which shall be structured, observed role-plays.
- Upon completion of this apprenticeship, mediators shall be impaneled to mediate for Mediation Matters, and a certificate shall be issued.
- The Executive Director, at his/her discretion, may increase these requirements if necessary to develop the requisite skills needed to mediate competently.
Mediator Skills Building
- Active, impaneled mediators are expected to mediate a minimum of 4 cases/year.
- Active, Impaneled mediators shall be expected to attend a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education in order to develop their mediation skills. This requirement may be met by attending in-services held by Mediation Matters or by other CDRCs, or by attending outside events approved by the Mediation Matters’ Executive Director
- Mediation Matters staff shall observe each active, impaneled mediator at least once a year.
- Albany Law School students who have completed a 30-hour Basic Mediation Training shall each observe several cases with Mediation Matters, utilizing the same instrument used by Mediation Matters staff.
- Mediation Matters staff shall administer co-mediator debriefings after each session where co-mediation is utilized. Positive feedback and constructive criticism will be obtained from each co-mediator with regard to the other.
- Mediation Matters staff shall review each mediated agreement before closing the case.
- Approximately 100 participant (parties to a mediation) surveys shall be randomly completed by telephone between 1 and three months after the completion of a mediation session. This survey instrument will inquire as to the effectiveness and skills of the mediators, among other elements.
- Utilizing the data accumulated from these skills-building methodologies, Mediation Matters staff shall conduct an Annual Review with each active, impaneled mediator. The purposes of this review are to:
- identify any recurring concerns with the mediator’s skills or practice;
- develop a plan for addressing these concerns;
- identify the mediator’s strengths and explore ways to share these strengths with other mediators; and
- formulate a plan for the mediator’s service to the agency for the upcoming year.
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