• Before applying, individuals interested in becoming an approved Parenting Act Mediator should read the following legislation and policies:
  • Nebraska Parenting Act
  • Policy for Approval of Parenting Act Mediators
  • Nebraska Standards & Ethics for Family Mediators
• Applicants must complete a Parenting Act Mediator Approval Application through the Mediator Approval/Reporting Portal.
• The following trainings have to be completed before an apprenticeship:
  • Basic Mediation Training
  • Family Mediation Training
  • Screening for Domestic Violence Workshop (Part of FMT training when sponsored by NMA)
• OPTIONAL: To be approved as a Specialized Alternative Dispute Resolution (SADR) mediator, SADR training must be taken after Family Mediation Training, but could be taken concurrent with apprenticeship or taken after approval as a Parenting Act mediator.
• As a recently trained and apprentice Parenting Act mediator, an applicant must have completed apprenticeships for at least three (3) Parenting Act mediations and must have completed at least one Initial Private Session using an approved Nebraska Mediator Screening Tool. The online application process requires the following documentation:
  • three (3) or more supervisory mediator assessment forms reviewing your apprentice mediation, including an IPS Supervisory Observation Form
  • two (2) or more mediation participant evaluations of the mediation cases,
  • three (3) or more mediator self-reflection forms,
  • and at least one (1) acceptable written parenting plan, as approved by a supervisory mediator.
    • Co-mediations with a supervisory mediator will be deemed successful only with approval from the supervisory mediator and thorough self-reflection.  If a co-mediation is deemed unsuccessful, it will NOT count toward the apprenticeship requirement.  Agreement outcome is not taken into consideration when determining if a co-mediation has been successful.  
• As an experienced mediator, an applicant may request a waiver or adjustment to the apprenticeship requirements. For more information contact the ODR at nsc.mediation@nejudicial.gov.
• A child abuse and criminal background check will be conducted.

The Nebraska Mediation Association (NMA) is a statewide network of mediators which develops, implements, and sustains quality conflict resolution, mediation, and consensus building. The NMA promotes mediation, and supports and provides training and educational opportunities for all mediators in the State of Nebraska. Through this member network, NMA provides links, resources, and enhanced opportunities among mediation professionals.

For further training information, visit NMA's website.

All approved Parenting Act mediators will complete 8 hours of continuing education in family mediation (CME).

At least 2 of the 8 hours will be in the area of domestic intimate partner abuse, child abuse, or unresolved parental conflict, and at least 1 of the 8 hours will be in the area of ethics.

Required CME hours will be completed every 2 calendar years beginning January 1st of the odd numbered year and ending December 31st of the even numbered year.

The subject matter of CME may include:

• General mediation skills
• Mediation ethics
• Family mediation issues
• Family law relating to parenting plans
• Domestic intimate partner abuse, child abuse, and unresolved parental conflict
• Child development
• Family systems theory
• Psychological and other issues in parenting
• Other matters relevant to parenting plan mediation

Approved Parenting Act mediators may receive CME credit for courses provided by ODR-approved mediation centers, the Douglas County Conciliation Services, or other providers.  Providers may seek pre-approval of a continuing education event by submitting an application at least 15 days before a continuing mediator education event. For events that are pre-approved, the provider is required to submit to ODR a list of attendees within 30 days of the training.

If the training is not pre-approved, the mediator shall submit to ODR an application describing the course including dates, location, subject matters covered, instructors and their qualifications, and a copy of the program outline or brochure. ODR will advise the mediator in writing whether the course was approved and the number of CME credit hours for which it was approved.

Approved Parenting Act mediators are encouraged to keep records of the continuing education courses attended in their personal files. They are also encouraged to submit CME courses with ODR as they are completed throughout the year using the online reporting system which can be accessed using the link provided above.  A list of past and future approved CME courses for the current reporting period is available on the mediator portal for approved Parenting Act mediators to reference.

Approved Parenting Act mediators shall submit a biennial report to ODR, indicating completion of required CMEs, Parenting Act mediation activity, and other relevant information.

Biennial reports shall be submitted every 2 calendar years using the online reporting system provided by ODR through the Mediator Portal. The deadline for submission occurs December 31st of every even-numbered year.

While ODR assists in the development of dispute resolution programs, the office also provides oversight regarding the quality of available services. ODR oversees and maintains the statewide ODR Policy Manual and ODR Training Institute Standards and Guidelines. Updates and revisions occur regularly and are achieved through joint input and involvement of the ODR Advisory Council and the centers. Accountability is built into the system at a number of levels. Every three months, the centers submit quarterly reports consisting of electronically transmitted updates of all cases, projects, and other services provided during the reporting period, as well as quarterly financial statements. ODR merges the data and prepares a statewide quarterly report of all system activity. These quarterly reports are reviewed by the State Advisory Council at regularly scheduled meetings. ODR and the centers meet regularly, to review activities and projects, exchange information, assess programming, and plan collaborative efforts. ODR establishes the criteria by which the centers are evaluated. A process of monitoring center-set goals in the areas of case management/development, program/project development, finances, outreach/education, center administration, and statewide system involvement is ongoing on an annual basis. Review teams comprised of State Advisory Council members and ODR schedule annual on-site visits to each center. Regular audits are also required of the centers. The ODR Advisory Council reviews all information and makes recommendations for the continued funding of each center.

ODR has worked collaboratively with the centers to develop and promote internationally respected training programs, with built-in apprentice opportunities for those seeking to practice their skills in Nebraska. Mediators are paired with experienced mediators to mediate cases. This builds their skills and provides a valuable service to the community. Centers also provide regular in-service activities for the continuing education of their mediators. ODR works with the centers to ensure compliance with the Standards and Ethics for Mediators, as established in the Dispute Resolution Act. Centers work in conjunction with ODR to establish evaluation and grievance procedures that allow those using mediation to report concerns to center directors, and allow ODR to monitor the satisfaction levels of those using mediation across the state. ODR encourages the use of co-mediation, both for skills building and additional oversight.

ODR convenes quarterly meetings of the ODR Advisory Council, participates in regular meetings with the center's staff, prepares an annual report to the state and assists with statewide conflict resolution system design efforts; for instance, within the Nebraska Judicial Branch and with the Nebraska Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. ODR also supports center efforts to integrate mediation into the legal system with referral procedures, citizen education, intake and case management, funding and monitoring. The office also provides a national connection for Nebraska within such organizations as the American Bar Association ADR Section, the State Justice Institute, the Policy Consensus Initiative, and the National Association for Community Mediation.