Start Date for the SCFM Class of 2024 is: tBD (see below).
Highest-Achieving Family Success Rate for a Court-Connected Mediation Program
The SCFM Class of 2023 will have completed the requirements for their Judicial Council of California-approved 40-hour "Advanced Family and Dependency Court Mediation" training, by September 2023. They are speaking a future of peace into existence. Congratulations, superstar SCFM Class of 2023 Mediators!!!
Start Date for the SCFM Class of 2024 is to be announced (expected to be in the first half of 2024).
Ahora estamos aceptando solicitudes para unirnos a la Clase SCFM de 2024.
Envíe por correo electrónico una breve biografía, CV o currículum a info@socalfm.org.
Email your CV/Resume early for consideration, info@socalfm.org.
Spanish-speaking mediators encouraged.
MEDIATION & LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Co-Mediation Opportunity
To challenge myself to become the greatest mediator I can be; to be a member of a team of noble experts serving compassionately, honestly, and courageously at the very heart of social strife; to help the most at risk children & in-need young parents where & when they need us most; and to leave this world a little better for having been here.
Good Reasons to Join us:
- Serve the most in-need young parents, and kids at-risk to end up in foster care,
- Become an excellent mediator, communicator, and negotiator,
- Feel that sense of belonging with an outstanding family-style team,
- Live a life of service and intention,
- Begin peace waves rippling out through families to communities, and
- Make the world a little better place.
SC Family Mediation volunteers serve California Superior Court systems, primarily the Los Angele County Superior Dependency Courts, at the highest level. Our volunteers continue to earn their place among the very best mediators, with in-person agreement rates consistently over 90%, and remote/online family success rates near 90%.
Nutz & Boltz: In addition to the 60 Family Law courts in Los Angeles County, there are more than 30 dependency courts. Dependency court is "where they take your kids away", as some people put it. Actually, dependency courts are mostly in the business of forgiveness through Family Reunification (FR) plans.
We co-mediate Parenting Plan Agreements for co-parents (have a child together, but do not cohabitate) as they exit the Children's and dependency court system. These mediations average about 4 to 5 hours, but a mediation could go as late as 3:30PM (so your schedule must be clear).
Mediators are the good news. Mediation happens for families & kids, not to them. Without a detailed Parenting Plan as they exit "the system", too many families become frustrated, and often return to the system to start all over again. What's worse is, the courts become normalized for the kids, who are then more likely to return as young parents. The system grows and the cycle continues.
We co-mediate weekdays from 7:45AM to 3:30PM. For new mediators, online or in-person co-mediations will be available. We have developed a system of mediation excellence requiring a beginner’s mind & growth mindset, regardless of your level of experience. When families come to us, it means a judge, a social worker, and four attorneys have not been able to ask the right questions to end the wars and begin the peace. It takes an average of 24 months to get great at mediating the variety of complex family scenarios we are presented with. So, the commitment we ask for is 24 months.
SC Family Mediation has opportunities for:
- Eight: One-day/week volunteer co-mediators, and
- Two: One-day-every-other-week volunteer co-mediators
to begin training July 2023.
Our mediation philosophy is based in part on the teachings found in Ken Cloke's Mediating Dangerously. For the selected candidates, your certification training will include:
- Read Mediating Dangerously,
- Interviews with current SCFM mediators,
- Online/On-demand video experiences,
- Live discussions of Mediating Dangerously, and Q&A opportunities,
- Live, online mock mediations, and
- Practical experiences.
This is not currently a stand-alone certification program. Unfortunately, what we've found is, if we offer the training for free, some people take the training and then don't follow through in support of the families and children we serve. Therefore, we find it necessary to charge $500 for the training, which may be earned back through honorariums (based on available funds at the discretion of SCFM leadership).
SCFM mediators must pass the Superior Court security clearance provided by Los Angeles County.
Next step: Email a brief Bio, CV, or resume to info@socalfm.org
We are looking forward to co-mediating with you.
Mediation Leadership Opportunities
If you believe in a better form of social peace & justice, it's an exciting time to become a part of our small & fast-growing mediation nonprofit. Leadership (Tiger Team) positions are currently volunteer-based, soon to be volunteer-to-hire, based on funding. Weekends & after hours, great!
Next step: Email a brief Bio, CV or resume to info@socalfm.org
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our family.
2023 Education & Acculturation Schedule
- 07/11/2023 to 08/01/2023:
- Begin online, on-demand training, Thinkific platform
- Approx. 25 Hours
- Read Mediating Dangerously, by Kenneth Cloke
- Approx. 8 Hours
- Team Interviews
- Approx. 2 Hours
- Begin online, on-demand training, Thinkific platform
- Wed. 08/02/2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM:
- Live Q&A, on SCFM Zoom-4
- Wed. 08/09/2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM:
- Live Discussion of Mediating Dangerously, on SCFM Zoom-4
- Sat. 08/12/2023, 7:45AM to 1:00PM:
- Mock Mediation I
- Wed. 08/16/2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM:
- Live Discussion of Mock Mediation I, on SCFM Zoom-4
- Sat. 08/19/2023, 7:45AM to 1:00PM:
- Mock Mediation II
- Wed. 08/23/2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM:
- Live Discussion of Mock Mediation II, on SCFM Zoom-4
- Week of Tuesday Aug. 29:
- Begin observations
Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)
Number 1 for 2022, ODR Mediation Family Success. Number 1 for 2021, ODR Mediation Family Success.
Something special is happening here. Everything begins with our amazing administration team. They set the tone, in preparation for each mediation. Parents and mediators alike appreciate the extra support and attention provided by these charismatic and caring professionals.
We provide in-person and on-line mediations for those who need us most.
Learn to adapt and innovate styles & strategies. You will be helping underserved & underfunded families & children in dire need of agreements.
A frequent reason given for satisfaction with mediating with this program is the quality and commitment of our team members.
Ken Cloke -
"This is one of the premier mediation programs in the world. And nothing less than the lives of children are at stake."
partners: CAlifornia Judicial Counsel, superior courts, USC
This is a life changing commitment to overcome all obstacles preventing success.
Get Involved
- Mediator
- Tiger Team Leadership
- Outreach & Social Media
VO-LU-NE-SIA: That moment when you forget you’re volunteering to help change lives,
because it’s changing yours.
The most challenging "agreement-creation workshops" can take a half day to a full day to successfully complete. There's no way around it, a full weekday commitment (7:45AM to 4:00PM) is required.
We invest heavily in our mediators, and ask for a minimum two-year (48-mediation) commitment, but we really want you for life.
Annual Training at USC Law School Now Offered Online
Become an exceptional mediator while helping save families and kids from conflict.
Friendly, family-style team
Create & share cutting edge mediation strategies.
Ongoing Education
It takes a beginner's mind, a desire to reduce family violence for children, a commitment to be a truly great peacemaker, and a belief in a better form of social peace & justice.
