Regular audits are also required of the centers. The State Advisory Council reviews all information and makes recommendations for the continued funding of each center. Trainees who are accepted into the program by one of the six centers may take training at half the registration fee, agreeing to volunteer a minimum of 24 hours as a mediator. Mediators are then paired with experienced mediators to mediate cases. This builds their skills and provides a valuable service to the community.
Centers also provide regular in-service activities for the continuing education of their mediators.
ODR works with the centers to ensure compliance with the Standards and Ethics for Mediators, as established in the Dispute Resolution Act. Centers work in conjunction with ODR to establish evaluation and grievance procedures that allow those using mediation to report concerns to center directors, and allow ODR to monitor the satisfaction levels of those using mediation across the state. ODR encourages the use of co-mediation, both for skills building and additional oversight. ODR also supports center efforts to integrate mediation into the legal system with referral procedures, citizen education, intake and case management, funding and monitoring. The office also provides a national connection for Nebraska within such organizations as the American Bar Association, the State Justice Institute, the Policy Consensus Initiative, the Center for Public Resource's Working Committees on Ethics for Attorney Mediators and Provider Organizations, and the National Association for Community Mediation.