Permanency Planning Mediation Program
Permanency planning mediation is a guided conversation that allows for those involved in a case to address communication and relationship issues impeding progress. Additionally, mediation seeks to help parties collaboratively address problems the court may not have time to explore.
About
In permanency planning mediation, a trained professional mediator helps parties speak honestly about complicated situations. Time can be saved by coming together outside of court to discuss viable options.
Some of the goals of permanency mediation are to:
- Facilitate the productive exchange of information between the parties.
- Search for a co-operative resolution of the referred issues.
- Expedite the permanent placement of children within the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) guidelines.
- Reduce the number and length of court hearings.
- Reduce the return to court and delays caused by appeals.
The Permanency Planning Mediation Program will be implemented in phases in local court districts and requests will be fulfilled based on the availability of mediators.
Eligible Issues for Permanency Mediation
The court may order parties to participate in permanency planning mediation from the permanency planning stage forward.
Visitation issues may be referred to mediation prior to the entry of a permanent order or upon a motion for review where the court has retained jurisdiction.
Other permanency issues such as case planning, modifications of case plans, communication, permanent placement, voluntary relinquishment, and any other issues that may facilitate permanence for a child may be ordered to Permanency Mediation.
Post-adoption contact may be referred to the program for voluntary mediation.
The Process
The process, participants, and forms vary depending on the issues ordered or referred to mediation. Please refer to the uniform rules for details.
The process for permanency mediation per G.S. 7B-202 begins on page 5 of the uniform rules. The process for post-adoption contact mediation begins on page 8.
All Permanency Planning Mediations shall include the following steps
- Referral, mediator assignment, appointment setting
- Intake and assessment
- Orientation of the parties to mediation
- Issues to be discussed
- Caucus sessions as appropriate
- Written agreement and/or termination of the mediation
In most cases, the mediations will be held remotely via video web conferencing.