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Dispute Resolution Education & Training

Please check this Web page for all updates

Questions or special accommodations?
Please contact Kevin Lottes at kevin.lottes@sc.ohio.gov or 614.387.9420.

NOTE: All training will be offered in an online platform. Participants who register for training through OhioCourtEDU will be notified of login instructions upon registration confirmation.

  • Jan. 18-19, 2024
  • Feb. 28-29, 2024
  • April 16-17, 2024
  • June 25-26, 2024
  • Aug. 22-23, 2024
  • Nov. 21-22, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate cases in a court setting.

Course Description:
The Fundamentals of Mediation training curriculum is a blended learning approach consisting of online learning followed by a two-day live interactive classroom training program.

Throughout this blending training curriculum, participants will be introduced to concepts that support the practice of mediation including conflict theory, negotiation and power, communication. This training will introduce core values of mediation and continually reinforce the importance of respecting mediation core values.

This training is highly interactive and fosters participation through group discussion and involvement in small group mediation role play and exercises. Mediation role plays and exercises are drawn from a variety of court mediation practices, giving participants familiarity with the different settings in which courts use mediation.

This training is required under Rule 16.22 and 16.23 of the Rules of Superintendence for the courts of Ohio, for all mediators who wish to receive family law mediation referrals from an appellate court, court of common pleas, municipal court, or county court.

Training Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the theory and process of mediation using a six-stage mediation model
  • Apply effective techniques to address common mediation challenges
  • Address safety concerns
  • Appreciate differences of mediation participants
  • Recognize and manage compassion fatigue

Pre-Requisites:
Prior to attending this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Credit Hours:
Approval has been requested for 13.0 CLE credit hours, including one hour of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day


Registration

  • April 25-26, 2024
  • Oct. 8-9, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate family cases in a court setting.

Course Description:
The Domestic Abuse Issues and Mediation training curriculum is a blended learning approach consisting of an online learning course followed by a two-day live interactive classroom training program. This training is designed to provide both substantive and experiential learning to participants on the importance of identifying and appropriately responding to domestic abuse issues in mediation (note: mediation of the domestic abuse itself is never appropriate).

Faculty uses a combination of lecture, interactive large group discussion, small group work, and role plays to ensure that participants not only understand how domestic abuse issues effect mediation, but are able to incorporate and apply what they are learning in a safe and supportive environment.

This training is required under Rule 16.22 and 16.23 of the Rules of Superintendence for the courts of Ohio, for all mediators who wish to receive family law mediation referrals from an appellate court, court of common pleas, municipal court, or county court.

Training Objectives:
Upon completion of this training session, participants will be able to:

  • Screen for and recognize dynamics of domestic abuse used for coercive control during intake and through ongoing mediation sessions;
  • Understand why a history of domestic abuse by one party against a current or former intimate partner is presumed to make mediation an inappropriate means of dispute resolution;
  • Identify whether an abused party who nonetheless wants to mediate is able to safely and meaningfully participate in the process;
  • Be able to implement a range of accommodations to enhance safety of all participants during screening and throughout mediation, and to safely terminate mediation when continuing is inappropriate.

Pre-Requisites:
Prior to attending this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Credit Hours:
Approved for 13.50 CLE general credit hours.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

  • March 12-13; 19-20, 2024
  • Sept. 10-11; 17-18, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate family cases in a court setting.

Course Description:

The Specialized Family or Divorce Mediation training curriculum is a blended learning approach consisting of three online learning modules followed by a four-day live interactive classroom training program. Throughout this blending training curriculum, participants will be introduced to concepts that support the practice of mediation in family law cases including an overview of the theory and process framing divorce or family mediation, an introduction to family systems, family dynamics, and child development in the context of mediation, and an overview of the statutes, rules, standards and ethics of governing mediation in family cases. This training is an advanced training that will cover all aspects of mediation in family law cases.

This training is required under Rule 16.22 and 16.23 of the Rules of Superintendence for the courts of Ohio for all mediators who wish to receive family mediation referrals from a domestic relations or juvenile court in Ohio.

Training Objectives:
Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Apply the theory and process of mediation to family and divorce cases;
  • Recognize the statutes, rules, standards and ethics that apply to family and divorce cases;
  • Use effective communication in family and divorce mediation;
  • Demonstrate appropriate screening and safety techniques; and
  • Know the impact of substance abuse and mental health issues, child development, and high conflict personalities on mediation in family law cases.

Pre-Requisites:
Prior to attending this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Credit Hours
Approval has been requested for 28 total CLE credit hours, including 1.25 hours of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

  • Oct. 29-30, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate cases in a family court setting.

Course Description:

This training will take participants through the process, activities, and role of a Parenting Coordinator and the information and skills relevant to the services of a Parenting Coordinator. Within this format, participants will receive information focusing on the psychological dynamics of the parents and the impact of the conflict on the children. The workshop will emphasize the practical aspects of serving as a parenting coordinator. The use of parenting coordination in cases with allegations of domestic violence, alienation and child abuse will be discussed, as well as the types of cases that are not appropriate for parenting coordination. This training will also discuss the ethical issues inherent in this role and present an overview of standards of practice.

Pre-Requisites:
In order to attend this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Credit Hours:
Approval has been requested for 12.0 total general CLE credit hours, including 1.0 hours of professional conduct.

Start and End Times:
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day

Registration

  • April 19, 2024

Disruptions of Attachment: Implications for Parenting Coordination

Time: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This workshop focuses on empirical research on attachment throughout the lifespan and how disruptions impact stability in intimate partnerships, parenting, and co-parenting relationships. This workshop is a didactic and experiential training model. Clinical and empirical definitions of attachment across the lifespan will be presented along with implications for interventions with individuals and families who may be impacted by disruptions of developmental and relational attachments. Application to Parenting Coordination processes and collaboration with the court and legal professionals will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify attachment classifications for children and adults and explain implications.
  2. Describe intervention strategies for application in forensic settings i.e. ADR processes and  Parenting Coordination.
  3. Discuss the implications of disrupted attachments for family courts
  4. Identify alternative dispute resolution options for separating and divorcing families and the role family law professionals can play in minimizing attachment disruptions.

Untangling Trauma from Drama

Time: 1 - 4:30 p.m.

This workshop will provide an overview of how trauma and chronic adversity impacts human development and functioning and outline the role of the parenting coordinator in helping untangle trauma from drama. Tools to support trauma-informed practices and interventions in parenting coordination will be reviewed along with a guide to the use of data-driven goals to improve safety for all will be reviewed.   Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact on family functioning in the context of high conflict interparental dynamics will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how trauma and chronic adversity affect human development and functioning.
  2. Recognize the role of the parenting coordinator in addressing trauma and drama.
  3. Learn tools and strategies to support trauma-informed practices and interventions in parenting coordination.
  4. Gain knowledge on using data-driven goals to improve safety in high conflict interparental dynamics.
  5. Explore the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on family functioning.

Faculty:

Debra K. Carter, Ph.D. is a clinical and forensic psychologist, a Certified Family Mediator and a Qualified Parenting Coordinator. She is also the co-founder and training director of the National Cooperative Parenting Center (NCPC) which offers services to the mental health and legal communities in North America and around the globe. Dr. Carter is a leading researcher on the efficacy of Parenting Coordination and the author of Parenting Coordination: A Practical Guide for Family Law Professionals, Co-Parenting After Divorce: A GPS for Healthy Kids, and a Parenting Coordination training video, Strategic Interventions, Structure, and Skills in addition to numerous chapters and articles on family law matters. Dr. Carter is affiliated with the University of South Florida (SP) – Family Study Center and current chair of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Parenting Coordination Guidelines Revision Task Force. She is past president of the Florida chapter of AFCC and has received numerous state and national awards for her valuable contribution to the field of psychology, family law, and parenting coordination.

CLE Hours: Six general CLE hours, including 45 minutes of ethics

Tuition and Materials: This webinar is free. Materials are provided electronically.

Questions? Contact Kevin Lottes at kevin.lottes@sc.ohio.gov

Registration

June 11-12, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate school attendance issues.

Pre-Requisites:
There are no pre-requisites to attend this training; however, it is recommended that participants take the Fundamentals of Mediation training [ONLINE] modules found in OhioCourtEDU prior to attending this training.

Course Description:
This course is designed to prepare professional mediators to navigate the situations commonly encountered by students, schools, and families when confronted with barriers that may hinder school attendance.

This training is required under Rule 16.22 and 16.23 of the Rules of Superintendence for the courts of Ohio for all mediators who wish to receive school attendance mediation referrals from a juvenile court in Ohio.

Training Objectives:
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Know the legislative framework for attendance in Ohio;
  • Gain competency in conducting school attendance mediations; and
  • Reinforce mediation core values and standards for school attendance cases.

Credit Hours:
Approval has been requested for general CLE credit hours, including hours of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

July 17, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to conduct a neutral evaluation process in civil or family law cases in a court setting and court staff considering establishing a neutral evaluation program in their court.

Pre-Requisites:
There are no prerequisites to attend this course; however, those interested in becoming a neutral evaluator must comply with the training provisions in Sup.R. 16.53.

Course Description:
The course will provide a “nuts and bolts” of neutral evaluation. It will begin with a review of the new Neutral Evaluation Rules of Superintendence, Sup.R. 16.50-16.55, and local rule and other requirements for courts wishing to establish a neutral evaluation program. Participants will discuss a sample local rule governing neutral evaluation; review documents and forms used for case management; explore the roles of the various participants; and consider how to prepare litigants and attorneys to resolve their cases using the neutral evaluation process. In addition, the presenters will explore with participants the benefits and challenges from each of their diverse perspectives within the court. This workshop will also feature a mock demonstration of a neutral evaluation session.

Credit Hours:
Approval has been requested for 3.0 total general CLE credit hours.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration

  • Nov. 6-7; 13-14, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who are interested in learning how to mediate abuse, neglect, and dependency cases in a court setting.

Course Description:

Participants will discuss the legal and social theories behind mediating this case type, explain the various stakeholders that need to be involved both in program planning and in the mediation process, and practice conducting these multi-party mediations. Topics will include terminology related to Ohio dependency law, the court process, mediating within statutory parameters, domestic abuse, child abuse, impact of socio-economic and diversity factors, and strengthening community resources and referral systems.

This training is required under Rule 16.22 and 16.23 of the Rules of Superintendence for the courts of Ohio, for all mediators who wish to receive child protection mediation referrals from an Ohio court.

Training Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Establish an appropriate process to conduct child protection mediation;
  • Identify the parties necessary for child protection mediation;
  • Explain the role of all participants in child protection mediation; and
  • Demonstrate an appropriate child protection mediation in a role play scenario.

Pre-Requisites:
Prior to attending this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Credit Hours:
Approval has been requested for 28.0 total CLE credit hours, including 1.0 hours of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

  • Oct. 15-16, 2024

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who have are interested in mediating cases and disputes for probate courts.

Pre-Requisites:
In order to attend this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Fundamentals in Mediation Training (or equivalent as set forth in Rule 16.23(A) of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio)

Course Description:
This training focuses on Adult Guardianship and Family Caregiver Mediation and the differences between other types of mediation and elder mediation. In this training, participants will focus on the mediator's responsibility toward inclusion of the older person's voice in the mediation and techniques for working in multiparty family mediations.

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be prepared to organize and perform elder mediations. This training will not certify participants as a mediator, but is meant as an advanced training for those who have already taken basic mediation training, and an introduction to Elder Mediation for those who have not.

This training covers the following topics:

  • Differences between elder mediation and other types of mediation
  • Guardianship/conservatorship law and practice
  • Capacity and disability issues
  • Legal red flags
  • Elder abuse
  • Confidentiality issues
  • Multiparty mediation and family dynamics
  • Deciding who should be present at the mediation
  • Working with attorneys, court representatives, GALs, and institutional representatives
  • Role of community resources, support persons, advocates, and surrogates in mediation

Training Objectives:
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Understand elder mediation theory and practice, including the importance of inclusion of the older person in the mediation;
  • Learn how to manage multi-party mediations and identify the challenges for mediation with family dynamics; and
  • Learn about how the aging process and dementia affect the mediation.

Credit Hours:
Approval will be requested for17.0 hours of CLE credit hours, including 1.0 hour of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

Training dates to be determined.

Who Should Attend:
Individuals who interested in conducting eldercaring coordination for probate courts.

Pre-Requisites:
In order to attend this course, the following pre-requisites must be met:

Fundamentals in Mediation Training (or equivalent as set forth in Rule 16.23(A) of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio);

Individuals that meet the qualifications to be an eldercaring coordinator, have submitted an Eldercaring Coordination Application Form and are designated to be Eldercaring Coordinators for existing Pilot Sites, Judges, Magistrates, and Pilot Site Administrators

Course Description:
This practical training focuses on the application of the parenting coordination process and builds upon the prior knowledge, skills, training and experience of participants. Participants will gain knowledge pertaining to the eldercaring coordination process, conflict resolution for those in high conflict regarding elders’ care and decision-making, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, ethics, and the aging process as it pertains to eldercaring coordination.

Training Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to explain all of the following:

  1. eldercaring coordination concepts;
  2. process to identify possible elder abuse, neglect, exploitation and family violence and their implications on the eldercaring coordination process;
  3. the elder adult within the context of the eldercaring coordination process;
  4. capacity considerations for the eldercaring coordination process and supportive decision-making;
  5. the eldercaring coordination process and procedures necessary for safe and open environment conducive to the resolution of high conflict disputes;
  6. eldercaring coordination person-centered, trauma informed techniques;
  7. elder law and court interface pertaining to the eldercaring coordination process;
  8. family dynamics and diversity within the context of the eldercaring coordination process;
  9. ethical considerations pertaining to eldercaring coordination;
  10. resources and professional supports for the elder and family as well as the eldercaring coordination process;
  11. eldercaring coordination within the context of research and Eldercaring Coordination Pilot Sites.

Credit Hours;
Approval will be requested for 22.50 hours of CLE credit hours, including 1.75 hours of professional conduct.

Tuition:
This course is tuition-free. Materials are sent to participants via email a week prior to the training dates.

Start and End Times:
8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

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