When Resolution Systems Institute received a grant from the Illinois Attorney General to develop foreclosure mediation programs across the state, it was our opportunity to practice what we preach. From RSI’s inception, we’ve been telling courts that they need to monitor and evaluate their mediation programs to ensure that they’re providing quality services to those who come to them to resolve disputes. We’ve also been urging them to incorporate the development of a monitoring and evaluation system into their program design process. Too often, courts have decided against doing this, or have settled for a system that collects minimal data, such as number of mediations and number of settlements. The main problem has been lack of staff and money to develop and maintain such a system, as well as, perhaps, a lack of understanding of what it could provide. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Program Management’ Category
Yes, It Can Be Done: Ten Program Models, One Online System
Jennifer Shack, March 12th, 2014Illinois Supreme Court Increases Reporting Requirements for Family Mediation
Jennifer Shack, September 24th, 2013Anyone who knows RSI knows that we’re all about data. We believe that courts need good data about their programs in order to make good decisions about them. That’s why we were thrilled when the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Child Custody Issues asked for our help in developing a mediator report and participant survey that will be used statewide for family mediation. We’re even more thrilled that those forms have been adopted and will be required by the Supreme Court. This is part of the Court’s amendments to Rule 905, which went into effect September 1.
The rule, which governs child custody and visitation mediation, now requires that every judicial circuit file a quarterly report with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that includes “the number of custody, visitation and removal cases referred to mediation; the outcome of such a referral; number of cases referred on a pro bono basis; and the percentage of cases where the parties expressed satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the process.” The information will be used for what we love best at RSI – review of the mediation program statewide.
A more substantive change in the rule expands mandatory mediation to include a custodial parent’s request to remove a child to another state. It also requires the courts to make a “good faith” effort to provide an interpreter when a non-English speaking parent is involved in mediation and to provide a pro bono attorney when applicable.
State Resource Spotlight, Part 2
Just Court ADR, June 4th, 2013Last week I discussed three excellent court ADR websites from around the country. This week, here are three more outstanding sites.
Each of the sites in this series offers resources that make it unique. From a pledge for businesses to commit to ADR, to a parties’ guide to selecting a mediator, many of these features can be useful far beyond the boundaries of their own state. (more…)
State Resource Spotlight
Just Court ADR, May 28th, 2013As I review court ADR websites across the country for our CourtADR.org resources, I’m truly impressed by the number of inventive, extensive and helpful offerings I’ve found. Many sites offer ADR information and resources that would be useful beyond their own boundaries. Over the next few weeks I plan to spotlight several of these resources. Here are the first three. (more…)
