Permanency Mediation
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a cooperative problem-solving process. It is a confidential, private way to discuss issues and explore possible solutions. This service allows a neutral party to bring together two or more parties to discuss an issue of common concern and jointly come to an agreement on how to proceed.
Mediation is Not...
- court-ordered
- overseen by the court
- a legal process
What is Permanency Mediation?
This service allows a neutral third party to bring together all the caring and supportive adults in a child’s life to discuss and jointly determine how they can best meet the needs of the child, and collectively reach an amicable agreement all of the adults can support. Children may be involved in the mediation as appropriate.
The goal of mediation is to provide a fair process that allows the parties to collectively reach an agreement that meets the needs of the child and maintains as many positive permanent connections for the child as possible.
What Other Types of Situations are Ideal for Mediation?
Cases often involve situations in which a child has been removed from their home by the Division of Children and Family Services in which there are multiple competing placement options, a desire for others to maintain contact, or questions around multiple siblings. Other types of situations that would be ideal for mediation include conflicts involving openness in adoption, co-parenting agreements, kinship arrangements, inter-family conflict, intergenerational family conflict, and others are also good candidates for mediation.
How to Get Started with Meditation
Families with an open case with the Division of Children and Family Services should request a referral from their worker to Adoption Network Cleveland. Other families and individuals can contact Adoption Network Cleveland directly and schedule a meeting.
For more information, contact:
Ty Cliffel, LPC, Director of Programs
Phone: (216) 482-2320
Email: ty.cliffel@adoptionnetwork.org
Janelle Poskocil, Program Coordinator, Family & Youth
Phone: (216) 482-2332
Email: Janelle.Poskocil@adoptionnetwork.org
