Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Family Mediation Training is designed to prepare mediators to participate in court-approved mediation programs and to take court referred mediation cases. This program is designed to teach mediators to facilitate communication which assists parties in identifying issues and reaching mutually acceptable agreements.

Mediation is based on principles of communication, negotiation, facilitation and problem-solving. It emphasizes the needs and interests of participants, fairness, and procedural flexibility. Privacy, confidentiality, full disclosure and self-determination are key to the mediation process. Integrity, impartiality, and professional competence are essential qualifications of any mediator. A mediator is obligated under Rule 31 to acquire knowledge and training in the mediation process, including understanding of appropriate professional ethics, standards and responsibilities.

The Tennessee legislature has passed and the Governor has signed the long sought parenting plan legislation. We believe this new law will have an enormous positive impact on children and reduce the adversarial negative impact of divorce. It became effective January 1, 2001. Through this program the parties are able to develop a parenting plan which takes into account their personal schedules, their children's needs and other factors individual to them. Mediation offers creative options to the boilerplate schedules ordered by the court. Initial results in at least one county show that nearly 70% of the participants have been able to reach agreement through mediation, avoiding the emotional and financial costs of litigation.

Many states, including Florida, Texas and California mandate mediation in family divorce cases. Results have shown that mediated agreements make for long term agreements and less post divorce litigation. Personal and real property, support, and other financial issues can also be mediated. Litigation often causes the parties to become polarized and entrenched in their positions. Mediation finds common ground upon which the parties can work toward an agreement that results in a win-win outcome for the entire family.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts recognizes that domestic violence training is a key element of Family Mediation Training. Jean Munroe also offers Domestic Violence Training as an advanced component of Family Mediation Training. The issues of violence are never mediated, only the issues of the divorce. Mediators are taught to recognize the sometimes hidden signs of domestic violence and to balance power to assist the victim in the mediation process. By statute, victims can have an advocate present during the mediation process. If mediation is determined inappropriate due to fears of the victim, he or she is referred back to the court and the appropriate community resources.

See "Mediation Training" for course description and "Training Schedule" for course dates and locations.