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Family ADR Branch Open Enrollment – Child Protection Mediation Program
Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, D.C. Superior Court
The Family ADR Branch of the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the D.C. Superior Court is soliciting applications from experienced mediators who are interested in joining the Child Protection Mediation Program.
Applicants must have:
- A minimum of 40 hours basic/beginner mediation training.
- Apprenticeship under the supervision of an experienced mediator.
- At least six months of mediation experience.
- Mediated at least 12 cases total, within the last two years.
- Knowledge of or experience with DC and Federal Child Welfare laws and regulations (preferred), or equivalent knowledge and experience with child protection/permanency cases in other jurisdictions.
- Experience mediating issues of child abuse and neglect, reunification and permanency planning. (If a Maryland applicant, these cases are called Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR).)
Preferred:
- Training on mediating issues of child abuse and neglect, reunification and permanency planning.
- Large group facilitation training and experience, IEP facilitation training and experience.
- Family mediation training on child custody, parenting plans (20 hours of training preferred).
- Appointment to mediate by a judicial or government body.
- Affiliation with and accountability to a dispute resolution organization.
(Attorneys/social workers who are licensed and actively practicing in the Superior Court in child welfare cases are not eligible to apply.)
Mediation opportunities are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Mediation sessions are scheduled for up to three hours. Mediations are held remotely on Zoom; geographic proximity to Washington, DC is not a requirement to volunteer.
Multi-Door mediators are volunteer positions. Mediators are eligible for a small stipend ($120) for conducting a Child Protection Mediation Program session and assisting with capturing terms of agreement (if applicable). New program mediators must successfully complete a mentorship (consisting of a combination of observations, co-mediations, and solo mediation under review) and be approved by program staff to join the program roster before they are eligible to receive a stipend.
Child Protection roster mediators must mediate a minimum of10 sessions annually to remain active within the program. A lapse in activity for six months or greater will result in the mediator being shifted to the Inactive roster. All Multi-Door mediators must complete a minimum of 12 hours of mediation-related continuing education and participate in a peer review every two years to remain rostered.
To apply:
- Complete the online application*.
- Submit a copy of your basic mediation training and advanced mediation training certificates, a current résumé, and three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your skills as a mediator, to MultiDoorTraining@dcsc.gov.
*If you submitted an Open Enrollment application after November 2024, please complete the Child Protection Mediation Program supplemental application; you do not need to resubmit the entire Open Enrollment application. Existing Multi-Door mediators should also complete the supplemental application.
To be considered for this recruitment opportunity, applications must be received no later than Friday, November 20, 2026. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview remotely with program staff December 1-3. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a two-day remote orientation on Thursday, January 28 and Friday, January 29, 2027.
Questions about the program or application process should be directed to MultiDoorTraining@dcsc.gov.
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ADR Case Opportunities
from Harold C. Cohen, MCDR Legislative Committee Chair
Our first set of opportunities is for arbitrators and health care professionals. It concerns agencies that provide ADR and review services for the federal No Surprise Act and similar programs. Please remember that what is here is unofficial and these agencies may not be hiring or may change their requirements without notice. Thanks to MSBA Board Member Gary Norman and MSBA ADR Committee Chair Jim Pauli for the time spent collecting information.
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