Programs
MA Guard & Reserves Family Mediation Program - also serving veterans
Children whose parents no longer live together generally fare best when they have ongoing involvment from both parents. Establishing a parenting time schedule is an area where parents often experience conflict, as it has to fit the needs of the children and both parents. Children's needs change as they grow older. Parents' circumstances change too over time, and they may need help putting workable plans together. Children adjust more easily to change (in routines) if their parents work together to develop healthy ways of communicating, resolving problems, and reducing conflict.
The Massachusetts Guard & Reserves (MAG/R) Family Mediation Program has been created to resolve child access, visitation and parenting plan disputes for families of the MA Guard, Reserves, and veterans. This program is administered by the MA Office of Dispute Resolution & Public Collaboration (MODR), and mediation services are provided by seven community mediation centers from across the state. Link to brochure describing MAG/R Family Mediation Program (pdf).
Who can participate?
The program is available to resolve parenting plan issues between never-married, divorced, or separated parents (biological and/or adoptive). At least one parent must be a Guard or Reserve member, or a veteran. Additionally, at least one parent must be a Massachusetts resident (the other parent must be able to attend the session).
The mediation will focus on the parenting time, access, and visitation but may also involve other issues. The parents, and other persons both parents feel need to be there, should attend the mediation session. Children are not usually included in mediation unless both parents feel that older children would benefit from participating.
What is mediation?
Mediation is an informal way to resolve disagreements. It promotes communication and co-operation. A neutral person, the mediator, helps those involved better understand the issues, explore creative solutions, and reach agreements that are acceptable to both parents. The mediator does not tell people what to do or make judgments about who is right or wrong. The decision-making stays with you where it belongs. People are more likely to comply with an agreement that they themselves negotiated. Mediation is voluntary, collaborative, and flexible. It is also confidential (Massachusetts General Law c.233, s.23C). Link to MAG/R Mediation Information Sheet (pdf).
Benefits of mediation
- Mediation is usually less costly than going to court, both financially and emotionally.
- Mediation allows parents to retain control over the decision-making process.
- Mediation is private and informal.
- Mediation allows parents to create a parenting plan that best fits their needs and the needs of their children.
- Most people find that mediation helps to reduce hostility and support relationships.
What does mediation cost?
There is no cost to families for the first six hours of mediation. You may request additional mediation time, but mediation fees may be charged in the event that program funding is not available to cover the extra time.
About the community mediation centers
The following seven community mediation centers provide mediation services for the MA Guard & Reserves Family Mediation Program:
- Berkshire Mediation Services
- Cape Mediation
- Community Dispute Settlement Center
- Framingham Court Mediation Services, Inc.
- The Mediation & Training Collaborative
- North Shore Community Mediation, Inc.
- Quabbin Mediation
The community mediation centers provide a range of free or low cost mediation services in their local communities and courts. The centers focus on resolving conflicts in families, homes, schools, neighborhoods, and small businesses.
In the MAG/R Family Mediation Program, the centers schedule mediation, assists parents in preparing for the mediation, assign and supervise mediators, mediate and follow up with participants.
MA Guard and Reserves Family Mediation Program contact:
Mette Kreutzmann, MAG/R Program Coordinator
MODR at UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard, M-1-627
Boston, MA 02125
Telephone: (617) 287-4041; Fax: (617) 287-4049
mette.kreutzmann@umb.edu
Or click here to download a Request for Mediation form (pdf)
Community Mediation Center Links:
Berkshire Mediation Services: www.berkshiremediation.org
Cape Mediation: www.capemediation.org
Community Dispute Settlement Center: www.communitydispute.org
Framingham Court Mediation Services, Inc.: www.framinghammediation.org
The Mediation & Training Collaborative: www.MediationandTraining.org
North Shore Community Mediation, Inc.: www.nsmediation.org
Quabbin Mediation: www.quabbinmediation.org
Other Resources:
Parental Resources: Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement