Divorce Mediation Certificate Program

Description

Divorce is a common experience in our society and divorce mediation is increasingly being needed to help people divorce in amicable ways. This two-part certificate program provides a comprehensive, in-depth training in divorce mediation. Participation in Units 1 and 2 meets the 25-hour mediation training requirement for Wisconsin Act 355. The training will emphasize practical knowledge through lectures, videos, demonstrations, participatory exercises and simulations.

If you participate in both Units 1 and 2 of Divorce Mediation: Theory and Practice, you will receive a certificate which verifies that you have met the 25-hour training requirement for Wisconsin Act 355. A comprehensive notebook of readings and overheads is provided with the registration fee. Divorce and Family Mediation: Models, Techniques and Applications, edited by Jay Folberg, Ann Milne, and Peter Salem, will be for sale during the training at a discounted price of $55.

Participants will learn

• the tools and techniques of mediation to help disputants resolve their disputes in a cooperative rather than a competitive manner;
• about the dynamics of divorce disputes;
• how to re-frame divorce disputes to make them more conducive to mediation;
• how to move disputants from positional bargaining to interest-based negotiations;
• how to establish a mediation practice.

Course agendas

The brochure that describes these programs is also available as a downloadable PDF document.

Unit 1: Divorce mediation: theory and practice
Wednesday and Thursday, May 12-13, 2010
Download the fall brochure

• Understanding conflict and diagnosing disputes—a necessary beginning to conflict resolution;
• Overview of the mediation process—what makes mediation different from other dispute resolution processes;
• The mediation process from beginning to end—what the mediator says and does to move from conflict to resolution;
• Skills and techniques that make up the mediator’s toolbox.

Instructor: Ann Milne, ACSW, has been employed in the field of divorce and mediation since 1972. Former executive director of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, an international organization of judges, lawyers, mediators and custody evaluators, she is co-editor of Divorce and Family Mediation: Models, Techniques, and Applications (Guilford Publishers, 2004). She is also co-editor of Divorce Mediation: Theory and Practice (Guilford Publishers, 1988). She has conducted training programs for professionals across the U.S., Canada and in New Zealand and Australia.

 

Student comments

"Appreciated the instructor’s experience and breadth and depth of knowledge through practice – very practical." –David Brunner, pastor

"Presenter had very effective style – covered the topic very well." –stephen Dal Cerro, clinical psychologist

"Ann was an excellent teacher – was able to ask questions which drew out appropriate responses." –Alan White, attorney

"Will use many of the ideas presented in developing a mediation practice." –Jan Roberts, attorney

"Appreciated all of the information, tools and techniques." –Mindy Dole, paralegal

"A very well-spoken and clearly competent teacher – lots of substance." –Michael Tomaro, director, Institute for Human Factors

General information

Location: Divorce Mediation Unit 1 and Divorce Mediation Unit 2 will be held at the Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St., Madison. Check lobby monitor for the room.

Times: On site registration 8:30-9 am; Program 9 am-noon,1-4:15 pm.

Fee: $230/2 day program. The fee for all programs includes instruction, program materials, and refreshments. Lunch is on your own.

Accommodations: Please make your own travel and lodging arrangements. Information on accommodations and parking will be sent with your registration confirmation.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

Registration deadline: Enrollment is limited. To ensure your place in the program and help us accommodate you, please register early. To register by phone, call 608-262-7942.

Approved Credits: Credits will be awarded upon full-day participation in each workshop. Each workshop earns 13 hours per unit (1.3 CEU). The UW-Madison, Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (provider #1042) as a provider of continuing education credits for social workers. These programs fall within the subject matter identified by the following organizations for continuing education credits:

• WI Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
• WI Psychology Examining Board
• IL Dept. of Professional Regulation/Social Workers (#159-000243)
• MN Board of Social Work (provider #06-138)
• Continuing legal education credits from the WI Board of Bar Examiners

For more program information, contact: Ann Whitaker, program manager; Professional Development and Applied Studies, 21 N Park St., 7th Floor, Madison, WI 53715. E-mail: awhitaker@dcs.wisc.edu. 608-262-4509 or toll free 800-442-4617.

Registration options

By phone: Call 608-262-7942 or toll-free 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

By fax: Print, complete and fax the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.

• Divorce Mediation Unit I (May 12-13, 2010)