The Question I am currently in the process of being certified to mediate dependency cases. I provide training to new employees of the Department of Family Safety, the agency responsible for filing petitions in dependency cases. I also provide training to experienced staff when there are legislative changes or policy changes that impact on the counselor's day to day responsibilities.
All training is based on standardized curriculum that is used throughout the state.
I have done three co-mediations. In each mediation I made full disclosure of my relationship with the department as well as the fact that I was not yet certified. About a week ago the State Attorney who is the managing attorney for the attorney's representing the Department of Family Safety expressed his concern that my mediating dependency cases could be a conflict of interest. I feel that since I do not work for the department, have no authority over any one in the department, and make full disclosure of my relationship with the parties at the start of a mediation, there is not an inherent conflict of interest. The program manager for the dependency mediation program was present for this conversation and suggested I write for clarification.