Family Mediation:
Parent-Child
What is Parent-Child Mediation?
Why should parents and children mediate?
Who is eligible?
How does Parent-Child Mediation work?
How successful is Parent-Child Mediation?
Who can refer families to Parent-Child Mediation?
Why use mediation?
What types of issues can Parent-Child Mediation address?
How do I find out more?
What is Parent-Child Mediation?
In Parent-Child Mediation, parents and children between
the ages of 12 and 18 meet voluntarily with specially trained mediators
to try to work out the conflicts between them.
Mediation is conducted in an atmosphere of trust,
confidentiality and neutrality. Families achieve success in positive
problem solving, which reduces the tension in their homes. This constructive
cooperation among family members gives rise to the development of a
realistic plan for a happier tomorrow than today.
 Return
to top of page
Why should parents and children
mediate?
-
to resolve conflict
-
to learn to live together cooperatively
-
to avoid out-of-the-home placement of the child
-
to prevent future family court appearances and
procedures
-
to maintain control over family relationships.
Return
to top of page
Who is eligible?
Parent-Child Mediation is available to all Greene and Columbia
County families willing to sit down together and discuss their
differences. At least one parent must be living in the same house with
the child.
Return
to top of page
How does Parent-Child Mediation work?
Over a period of four mediation sessions, specially trained family mediators assist parents and children in developing a
mutually acceptable written agreement.
Return
to top of page
How successful is
Parent-Child Mediation?
Parent-Child mediation has proved highly successful in
helping families resolve conflicts. Staff members work closely with
service-providing agencies in Greene and Columbia Counties and will
make referrals to other organizations if mediation is not appropriate.
Return
to top of page
Who can refer families to Parent-Child Mediation?
Families may contact Common Ground Dispute Resolution themselves, or they may be referred by a number of agencies,
including the Department of Probation, Family Court, schools, or the
Office of Children and Family Services.
Return
to top of page
Why use mediation?
Mediation is voluntary.
Mediation is a voluntary, appropriate dispute resolution
process in many situations. Families discuss their disagreements, work together to
develop solutions and make all the final decisions themselves.
Mediation is quick.
The first meditation conference is usually scheduled
within two weeks after the referral. The four sessions take about one
and half hours each.
Mediation is:
-
impartial
-
free or low cost
-
voluntary
-
personal
-
confidential
-
empowering.
Return
to top of page
What types of issues can Parent-Child Mediation
address?
Parent-Child Mediation can address any family issue
including:
-
curfew
-
peer relationships
-
discipline
-
girlfriend or boyfriend difficulties
-
household responsibilities
-
anti-social behavior
-
school problems
-
step-child/step-parent problems
-
single-parent concerns.
Return
to top of page
How do I find out more?
Please contact
Common Ground at:
518.828.0047 in Columbia County
518.943.0523 in Green County
For more information about Alternative Dispute
Resolution, please contact the
New York State Unified Court System.
Return
to top of page
|
