getting involved

One of the best ways to enter the Alternative Dispute Resolution field is to volunteer as an active mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center.  Here you will receive the training and experience as a community mediator.  The Dispute Resolution Center offers quality training provided by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) certified trainers, an internship, observation opportunities, and co-mediation.  At the training sessions there are lectures, role playing, case studies, and demonstrations that are designed to instill the skills needed to be a successful mediator.  There are three different types of mediators:  general civil, advanced, and domestic.  In order to become a mediator at any level, it is necessary to meet the basic training requirements. 

Basic Training Requirements:

• Completion of a SCAO approved 40 hour Basic Mediation Training course
• Observing a minimum of two mediation sessions
• Co-mediate with an experienced mediator a minimum of two mediation sessions
• Be observed by a qualified mediator for a minimum of two mediation sessions
• Debriefing after mediations

Basic Mediation Training

Some of the cases that can be mediated with the basic training include: General Civil, Landlord/Tenant, and Probate (estate) (these should be linkable to the service section).  Training options for the community mediator level include:

• List of possible training opportunities with a short description of each
• Under each place the schedule and application for training session

Advanced Mediation Training

Advanced mediators have completed the basic mediator training and have taken extra training courses to specialize in certain cases.  Some of the cases advanced mediators can mediate include:  Adult Guardianship, Agriculture, American Disability Act, Civil Rights, Domestic, Post Office, Special Education, and Victim/Offender (these should be linkable to the service section).  Training options for the advanced mediator include:

• List possible training opportunities with a short description of each
• Under each place the schedule and application for training session

Domestic Mediation Training

Domestic mediators are a highly specialized group.  These mediators are friends of the court, psychologists, and attorneys.  Some of the cases that can be mediated by those who have taken this training include:  Domestic Violence, Parent/Child, Permanency Planning, Personal Protection Order, and Youth Guardianship (these should be linkable to the service section).  Training options for domestic mediators include:

• List possible training opportunities with a short description of each
• Under each place the schedule and application for training session