INTRODUCTION
The Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission has issued the following curriculum standards to help insure consistent, quality training for mediators in Arkansas. These guidelines apply to a basic 40 hour mediation course. Additional topic and skills areas apply to a 20 or 40 hour family mediation course.
The primary purpose of these standards is to assure that training courses approved by the Commission train mediators for a specific purpose: to handle cases referred to mediation from the Circuit Courts of Arkansas. As such, role plays should be geared to issues that would be heard in the Courts and special consideration should be given to working within that context.
Training courses meeting these minimum standards are the starting point for a beginning mediator. As with other professions, ongoing training and mediation experience are necessary components to becoming a truly competent mediator. A mediator who has completed a course offering these beginning and minimum standards should not automatically be considered a competent mediator.
The Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission understands that nationally accepted standards for mediation training do not exist at this time. The Commission has accumulated and evaluated commonly used training guidelines regarding mediation theory, knowledge, and skills in order to compile these standards. The Commission retains the right and expectation to update these standards as the mediation field matures and the Commission sees fit.
There are nine minimum areas of information which must be covered in a basic 40-hour training program:
1.History of Mediation. Rationale: Mediation has evolved over time and continues to evolve today, trainees need an understanding of the historical perspective.2.Overview of ADR Legislation in Arkansas. Rationale: Trainees must be introduced to the key aspects of legislation that have relevance to the practice of mediation in order to be able to comply with relevant legal requirements.3.Conflict Resolution Theory. Rationale: This information must help trainees differentiate between mediation and other forms of dispute resolution. Topics which must be included in this area are:
a. Definition, types of, and responses to conflictb. Dispute resolution continuumc. Win/win collaborative problem solving4.Mediation Theory and Practice. Rationale: Trainees need a theoretical grounding to understand the process fully. Trainees must understand a full range of mediation models in order to serve the parties most effectively. Topics which must be included in this area are:
a. Definition of mediation and characteristics of mediatorsc. Benefits of mediation processd. Differences in the roles: judges, mediators, and arbitratorse. Range of styles, types of mediators and mediations5.Court Process. Rationale: Knowledge of the court process will help a trainee serve parties more effectively by being able to help parties more effectively evaluate options. Topics which must be included in this area are:
a. The route and manner in which a case is referred to mediationb. The consequences of a mediated agreement as well as failure to reach an agreementc. State rules, statutes, and local procedures governing a particular type of mediation programd. Knowledge of the various types of disputes which may arise in a particular type of mediation programe. The difference between post-filing and pre-filing mediation.6.Mediation Process and Techniques. Rationale: Trainees must have a conceptual framework for conducting the session. Trainees must also be taught key techniques to assist in managing participation, structuring the session and establishing a cooperative problem-solving environment. Topics to be included in this area are:
a. Mediation Process Preliminary arrangements Opening and structuring the mediation session Introduction/orientation of disputants/attorneys Gathering and exchanging information
(presentation of situation by each party) Issue and problem clarification Generating options Bargaining and negotiation Agreement writing/enforceability Closure
b. Techniques Trust building
Restating and clarifying
Keeping on track, following agenda, managing process
Focusing on interests vs. Positions
Building on partial agreements
Caucusing
Reality testing
Working with third parties
Managing difficult people or strong emotions
7.Self- Awareness of Trainee. Rationale: Trainees must understand personal characteristics or biases that might influence their ability to perform effectively as a mediator. Topics to be addressed include:
a. Diversity/cultural awareness (personal biases)d. How the trainee responds to conflict8.Ethics.Rationale: Trainees must understand ethical principles with which to make informed choices which support the effectiveness and credibility of the mediation process. Topics to be addressed include:
a.Requirements for the Conduct of Mediation and Mediators (Arkansas standards)9.Arkansas Legal System- Rationale: Trainees must have a basic understanding of the Arkansas legal system and processes. Topics to be addressed include:
a. Overview of the Arkansas court system. 1. Structure of court system; must include explanation of the role and organization of district courts, circuit courts, and appellate courts.b. Basic overview of the initiation and resolution of lawsuits. 1. Explanation of fundamental concepts and terms such as complaint, answer, discovery.2. Identification of court personnel, attorneys, parties, and others who may play some role in a lawsuit.c. ADR statutes and case law. 1. Where no case law exists, examples will be given of how other states have addressed issuesd. Compare and contrast the state and federal court systems as it pertains to mediation.1. Clarify the different use of terms that are used for both state and federal courts, but may have different meanings. Family Mediation- Additional Topics- Rationale: To be effective mediators for persons experiencing divorce, a mediator must have knowledge and skill regarding specific family issues.
Topics to be included are:
a. Psychological issues in separation and divorce and family dynamicsb. The needs of children in divorcec. Arkansas Family Law as it relates to family mediatione. Awareness of tax issues relating to divorcef. Domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, screening and reporting, and legal issuesTRAINING CONTENT: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Trainees must be have an opportunity to practice selected written and oral communication skills which will enable the mediator to foster understanding and trust, elicit relevant information and accurately track and record key areas of agreement. The following skills must be introduced and practiced throughout the mediation training:
4. Nonverbal communication (i.e. eye contact, body language)5. Restating and clarifying6. Use of neutral language7. Drafting the agreement TRAINING METHODOLOGY
Training methods must be designed to help trainees learn, integrate, and apply the knowledge and skills covered in course materials.
1. Programs must include the following essential training methods: - lecture
- group discussion
- mediation simulations
- role plays involving a variety of types of disputes
Trainers are also encouraged to include:
- readings
- written exercises
- video tapes
- participation in actual mediations
2. Trainees must be given an opportunity to participate in at least three role plays as a mediator and two role plays as a disputant under the supervision of a trainer or training assistant.3. Trainees must have an opportunity to observe at least one simulated or actual mediation.4. A minimum of 40% of training hours shall be spent in participatory activities. Participatory activities shall be defined as supervised, structured activities that require interaction among two or more people, which relates to training.
TRAINING ADMINISTRATION
Mediation training must be organized in a way that provides that trainees receive individualized attention and feedback on their skills. This is important if trainees are to leave with a realistic understanding of their abilities. The training must be administered in a way that requires completion of the entire course and documents only the actual hours attended.
1. It is important that trainees get individual feedback from experienced mediators/trainers on their performance in training practice sessions. Generally, it is recommended that the trainer/trainee ratio be 1:6 for role plays (there may be some circumstances such as multi-party disputes which require larger role play groups.)2. Trainers must observe role plays and provide feedback3. Trainers must solicit evaluation comments from trainees.4. Trainers must provide written documentation attesting to trainees= attendance at the training.5. Trainers must indicate in training materials whether their program meets specific published standards of a professional organization.187.00.07 Ark. Code R. 001