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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. 26, 2023

Description:
High conflict disputes usually involve one or more people with high conflict personalities, requiring us to adapt our approaches to mediation. Please join Bill Eddy, co-founder of the High Conflict Institute and author of numerous best-selling books on the subject of high conflict disputes, for a three-hour short training in his New Ways for Mediation® method. Mr. Eddy will provide 10 key paradigm shifts, including three traditional approaches to avoid: trying for insight, focusing on the past, and opening up emotions. The focus shifts to teaching clients specific simple problem-solving skills to use during the mediation process. The structure and tasks of this approach will be described, which can be applied as a complete method or parts of it can be applied to any mediation. The mediator acts as a guide helping the parties use their problem-solving skills to gain a greater sense of ownership of their agenda and their agreements. Throughout the process, the mediator provides a lot of empathy, attention, and respect, which helps calm reactive parties.

Faculty Bio:
Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., co-founder and CIO of High Conflict Institute, pioneered the High Conflict Personality Theory (HCP) & is the world’s leading expert on methods for managing disputes involving people with high conflict personalities. Bill has worked as the senior family mediator at the National Conflict Resolution Center, a certified family law specialist representing clients in family court, & a licensed clinical social worker therapist. In 2021, he received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Academy of Professional Mediators. He serves on the faculty of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine University School of Law, and is a conjoint associate professor with the University of Newcastle Law School in Australia. He has delivered talks & trainings to lawyers, judges, & mediators in over 30 U.S. states and 13 countries, & has authored or co-authored 20 books. His popular blog on the Psychology Today website has more than 5 million views. He regularly consults on issues of alienation, family violence, & false allegations in family court cases.

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 3.0 total general CLE credit hours.

Start and End Times:
1 to 4:15 p.m.
Log-in @ 12:55 p.m.

Additional Information:
This training will be offered via Zoom. Participants who register for this training through OhioCourtEDU will be notified of login instructions one week prior to training start date.

Due to the highly participatory learning environment necessary to ensure a quality and effective online platform training experience, please review and commit to the following requirements:

  • Computer with a camera and microphone
  • Stable internet connection
  • Technology hiatus from your email, phone during the training
  • Early log-on, at least 5 minutes before the start of the training
  • Please refrain from scheduling other appointments, court hearings, etc. during the training. If you cannot attend this training in its entirety, please consider signing up for another session that fits your schedule
  • To reduce distractions and for your safety, please refrain from driving while training. We kindly request that you set up a stationary and quiet place in advance so that you may engage effectively in training group activities, including mediation role plays, polling, chatting, video demonstrations, group discussions, etc.
  • We will start promptly at 1 p.m. so please log-in early. We will take a few minutes to introduce everyone. We will use the introduction time to test your camera and microphone to ensure we have the most interactive training experience possible.

Registration
Course registration closes one week prior to the course date.

  • Jan. 19-20, 2023
  • Feb. 16-17, 2023
  • March 7-8, 2023
  • April 27-28, 2023
  • July 18-19, 2023
  • Sept. 7-8, 2023

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

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

Complete the online learning module Fundamentals of Mediation [ONLINE] available through OhioCourtEDU. After requesting a session, you will be asked to name a judge in an Ohio court of appeals, court of common pleas, municipal, or county court who recommends you take this training.

Course Description:
The Fundamentals of Mediation training curriculum is a blended learning approach consisting of a 2-hour 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

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

  • June 5-6, 2023
  • Oct. 26-27, 2023

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

Pre-Requisite:
In order to attend this training, the following pre-requisite must be met:

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

Specialized Family or Divorce Mediation Training (as set forth in Rule 16.23(B) of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio);

After requesting a session, you will be asked to name a judge in an Ohio court of appeals, court of common pleas, municipal or county court who recommends you take this training.

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.

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

  • April 3, 4; 11-12, 2023
  • Sept. 11, 12; 18-19, 2023

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

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

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

After requesting a session, you will be asked to provide the name a judge in an Ohio court of common pleas domestic relations or juvenile division who recommends you take this training; and

Complete the following online learning modules available on OhioCourtEDU prior to the in-person classroom learning: ADR: Overview of Divorce/Family Mediation [ONLINE]

ADR: Statutes, Rules, Standards and Ethics in Divorce & Family Mediation [ONLINE]

ADR: Family Systems, Family Dynamics & Child Developments Topics [ONLINE]

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.

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. 23-24, 2023

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

Pre-Requisites:*
*(Sup.R. 90.05 General Parenting Coordinator Appointment Qualifications refers to former provisions of Sup.R. 16 when it refers to pre-requisites; however, the training referred to in Sup.R..90.05 has been replaced by the training in Sup.R. 16.22 and 16.23 listed below)

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);

Specialized Family or Divorce Mediation Training;

Specialized Domestic Abuse Issues and Mediation Training; and

After requesting a session, you will be asked to provide the name a judge in an Ohio court of appeals, court of common pleas, municipal or county court who recommends you take this training.

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.

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

Nov. 15, 2023
Danger's No Stranger: Managing Parental Pathology

Who Should Attend:
Parenting Coordinators who have completed the Parenting Coordination training and received referrals from an Ohio court or are managing parenting coordination services for a court.

Description:
TBA

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

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

Start and End Time:
9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Zoom

Registration


Dec. 11, 2023
Parent-Child Contact Problems: Current Concepts, Definitions, and Controversies

Who Should Attend:
Parenting Coordinators who have completed the Parenting Coordination training and received referrals from an Ohio court or are managing parenting coordination services for a court.

Description:
TBA

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

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

Start and End Time:
1 to 4:15 p.m.
Zoom

Registration

June 13-14, 2023

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

Nov. 17, 2023

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

  • March 13, 24; 20-21, 2023
  • Nov. 6, 7; 13-14, 2023

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

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

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

Specialized Family or Divorce Mediation Training;

Specialized Domestic Abuse Issues and Mediation Training;

After requesting a session, you will be asked to provide the name a judge in an Ohio court of appeals, court of common pleas, municipal or county court who recommends you take this training.

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.

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. 9-11, 2023

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:
8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day

Registration

Dec. 4-6, 2023

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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