Advanced Mediation Training Info

The DRC presents mediator workshops on the following topics and will be happy to add your name to a list of those who are interested in knowing when these workshops are scheduled.

Mediating Issues in the LGBT Community
Mediators are increasingly faced with requests from LGBT couples to help settle disputes involving separation and parenting issues. There is little to no law or protection for LGBT families governing these issues. As a result members of the LGBT community are turning to mediation as a forum where they can resolve these disputes. This training will address the unique circumstances LGBT couples encounter in coping with these issues. It will address the nuances and unique difficulties for mediators working with this demographic of society. The training will cover:

Property Division and Child Support – who gets what when there is an income disparity but no legal safeguards to address the disparity
Child Custody and Parenting Coordination – do both parents have legal rights to the children or does one parent face losing the children
Estate Planning – implementing guardianship and inheritance protections for the children who have no legal tie to one parent
Cultural concerns and coming out issues – reaction of ex-spouse if the other “comes out”
Special Topics Panel – parent-teen conflict, elder issues, transgender and communities of color issues

Dates and fees to be announced.

Caucus vs. Joint Session in a Commercial Mediation: The Moosewood Videos
Watch two advanced mediators employ different methods to resolve the same case with the same parties. Using video presentations and interactive discussion, Zena Zumeta and Susan Butterwick will show the mediation of a commercial case using joint session and caucus methods. Observe what happens when the issue changes from "relationship and money" to "money only". Does style matter? Ask these and other questions of the mediators and the parties in the case study.

Parent/Teen Mediation and Grandparent/Children Mediation
This training will provide experienced mediators with the necessary skills and information to mediate parent/grandparent/child disputes which may include rules, curfew, communications issues, family relations, incorrigibility, education and running away.

Dates and fees to be announced.