What is the Family Mediation Practicum Project?

The Family Mediation Practicum Project is a family justice initiative designed to provide an opportunity for trained but inexperienced family mediators to practice mediation skills in a high quality practicum environment. The Practicum is located in New Westminster, B.C. and is sponsored by the BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society and other groups in the community with funding from The Law Foundation, the BC Ministry of Attorney General, and Justice Canada.

Participants in the Family Mediation Practicum Project will participate in 20 hours of actual family mediation plus 10 hours of feedback for a total of 30 hours of practicum training with a mentor at the practicum site. The mediations are supervised by highly trained and experienced mentors who assist the mediators to prepare for and conduct each mediation session and provide constructive feedback following each mediation.

What are the entry qualifications?

Successful Practicum participants are required to have a minimum of 40 hours of interest-based mediation training, including at least 10 hours of role play. In addition, they must have completed at least 24 additional hours of training in family dynamics and family violence and training in the fundamentals of family law.

When does the next class start?

The Family Mediation Practicum Project began in January, 2004 and continues to accept mediators in the Project as cases permit. The length of time to complete the Practicum depends upon mediator availability, volume of cases referred to the Project and cancellations of mediations by parties. The expected average time for completion is 3- 4 months.

How to apply?

Applicants may apply at any time and offers of acceptance will be awarded based on the selection criteria and according to the date the application is received. Qualified applicants on the waiting list will be contacted when space is available. To apply for the Practicum, simply complete the attached application form and send it to the address provided below, with a copy of your résumé, a passport-size photograph, contact information for two references and a cheque for $400. This will be refundable if you are not accepted for the practicum. Please make the cheque payable to the 'BCDRPS - Family'.

What is the cost?

The fee for the Practicum is $2,520 ($2400 plus 5% GST). The full fee is payable upon acceptance to the Project. If you are unable to participate in the Practicum after being accepted into the Project, a request for a refund must be made in writing no less than seven days prior to the first mandatory orientation session, and there will be a cancellation fee of $400 charged. Cancellations fewer than seven days prior to the first mandatory orientation session will be subject to a charge of $750.

How to obtain further information?

You can obtain more information about the Project by clicking here. If you have questions regarding your training qualifications or would like to receive further information, please contact Linda Bonnell, Project Director, at (604) 516-0788.

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