CPS Mediation Training info
The McLennan County DRC is excited to host a 20-hour training focused on CPS Mediation via Zoom videoconference!
The McLennan County DRC hosts 50+ CPS mediations per year, and many of our community partners will be on hand to share the tools and expertise gathered from years of successful practice. Our lead trainer, Matt Porter, will be joined by attorneys and guardians ad litem, DFPS staff, child advocates and local judges to provide both a wide and a deep introduction to the mediation of cases involving the child welfare system. Two days of informational workshops, panel discussions and role-play activities will culiminate in subsequent opportunties to observe active mediations with the DRC. Each training participant will be given the opportunity to observe a later mediation via Zoom as well as debrief with staff afterwards.
Our goal is to prepare a deep pool of mediators who can serve alongside other child protective services professionals both online as well as in-person, meeting needs both now during a pandemic and in-the future. Because of the online format, we can also more easily accomodate a wider geographical range of participants, meeting needs both locally and statewide.
If you have any questions of you would like more information, feel free to contact us today!
Tentative Schedule of CPS Mediation Training:
Thursday, June 9
8:30a – 9:30a | Intro and Welcome |
9:30a – 11:00a | Who is at the Table? Why are They There? What Can We Do for Them? |
11:00a – 11:15a | Break |
11:15a – 12:30p | CPS: Timeline of a Case Ø How did we get here? Ø What is a Plan of Service? Ø What happens if mediation does not produce agreement? |
12:30p – 1:00p | Lunch |
1:00p – 2:30p | Mediating Parents: Panel of Attorneys Ø How do you prepare your clients? Ø What do your clients respond best to? Ø What should mediators avoid? |
2:30p – 2:45p | Break |
2:45p – 4:15p | What Do Kids Need Out of Mediation? Ø PMC/JMC arrangements Ø post-termination contact? |
4:15p - 4:30p | Break |
4:30p - 5:30p | Coping with Mediation: Managing Secondary Trauma |
Friday, June 10
9:00a – 9:30a | Re-Cap and Preview |
9:30a – 11:00a | Mediated Settlement Agreements |
11:00a – 11:15a | Break |
11:15a – 12:30p | CPS Mediation in Action: Panel of Mediators Ø What do [un]successful CPS mediations have in common? Ø What are the most common problems/solutions in CPS mediation? Ø What experiences have prepared you for CPS mediation? Ø What are the best ways to pursue CPS mediation? |
12:30p – 1:00p | Lunch |
1:00p – 2:30p | Ethical Issues re: Disproportionality/Racial Equity/Domestic Violence |
2:30p – 2:45p | Break |
2:45p – 3:30p | Re-Cap and Review |
3:30p – 4:15p | Judge’s Perspective |
4:15p – 4:30p | Break |
4:30p – 5:30p | Role Play Exercise |