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> Mediation for Permanency Planning
Mediation for Permanency Planning
Mediation is a nonadversarial, voluntary process that allows the parties involved to agree on a permanency decision in the best interests of the child with the help of a neutral third party. Mediation generally avoids adversarial court hearings. Parties are more invested in the outcome because they participated in decision-making.
Parties to mediation may include birth parents, foster/adoptive parents, relatives, the child, the agency worker, attorneys, and others. Mediations can be court-based or may take place at other, more neutral locations. Resources include State and local examples.
Information Packet: Child Welfare Mediation (PDF - 118 KB)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2003)
Information on involving trained, neutral, third-party mediators in child abuse and neglect cases as a means of resolving disputes and expediting permanency for children in foster care.
Permanency Mediation: A Path to Open Adoption for Children in Out-of-Home Care
Maynard
Child Welfare: Journal of Policy, Practice and Program, 84(4), 2005
View Abstract
Examines the experiences of birth parents, permanent parents, and mediators in permanency mediation following a State child welfare agency's recommendation for termination of parental rights.
State and local examples
Adoption Acceleration and Mediation Project
North Carolina Administrative Office of the Court (2004)
View Abstract
Describes the implementation of mediation programs designed to shorten the time that children waiting for adoption spend in foster care.
Child Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Mediation Pilot Project
Trosch, Sanders, & Kugelmass
Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 53(4), 2002
View Abstract
Details the Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Family Court's 2-year journey to make dependency mediation a reality.
The Cooperative Permanency Project
Virginia State Department of Social Services (2001)
View Abstract
Goals achieved in the project included improving communication between parties concerned about permanency, involving birth parents in mediation, and providing a nonadversarial method for achieving permanency.
Fast Forward to Permanency: The Mediated Permanency Planning Project
Harris County Children's Protective Services (2000)
View Abstract
Mediators helped birth parents and the protective service system agree on the need for permanent placement and the relationship between the child and the birth family.
Mediation in Juvenile Dependency Court: Multiple Perspectives
Edwards
Juvenile and Family Court Journal, Fall 2002
View Abstract
Various parties within the child welfare dependency system offer their perspectives on mediation, its strengths and weaknesses, and its future in the court system.
Permanency Planning Mediation Pilot Program: Evaluation Final Report (PDF - 515 KB)
Michigan State Courts Administrative Office (2004)
Describes the exploratory, descriptive program evaluation of Michigan's Permanency Planning Mediation Pilot (PPMP) Program.
Permanency Planning Mediation Pilot Program: The Michigan Experience (PDF - 1324 KB)
Eaton, Whalen, & Anderson
Michigan Child Welfare Law Journal, 10(3), 2007
Provides a retrospective look at the first three years of Michigan's Permanency Planning Mediation Pilot Program in seven Michigan pilot program sites.
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