Family Mediation is increasingly being utilized as a means to more humanely and more effectively resolve the disputes that often arise during and after divorce. This course is approved by the Florida Supreme Court and the Association for Conflict Resolution and combines lectures, discussion and role playing to promote comprehensive understanding and practical skills development in the growing field of family mediation.

This course is approved by the Florida Bar (#63038) for 48 general CLER credits, including 5 hours of ethics.

USF Health is an approved provider (BAP #433 ex. 3/31/11) of continuing education credit for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. This program has been reviewed and approved for up to 48 contact hours.

The University of South Florida College of Medicine is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of South Florida College of Medicine maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This activity is offered for up to 40 hours of continuing education credit.

USF Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

USF Health designates this educational activity for a maximum of 40 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is for 40 contact hours.

The family mediation course qualifies for 24 technical business hours and 16 behavioral CPE Credits for Florida certified public accountants. Written proof of attendance will be provided.

The course will be held on the Tampa Campus of the University of South Florida. Exact location and directions will be sent with registration confirmation.

For help with directions, call (813) 974-4296 during regular working hours or check USF Parking Maps.

• Understand Family Mediation Theory, Process, Techniques and Ethics
• Appreciate the Needs of Children and Psychological Issues in Divorce

• Be Familiar with Financial, Tax, Legal and Court Process Issues of Divorce
• Learn Communication Skills, Community Resources and Referral Processes

• Family Mediation Theory
• Family Mediation Process
• Family Mediation Techniques
• Children’s Needs in the Context of Divorce
• Community Resources and Referral Processes
• Written and Oral Communication Skills
• Standard of Professional Conduct

Gregory Firestone, Ph.D., is Director of the USF Conflict Resolution Collaborative and Vice Chair of the Florida Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy Committee. He has been a practicing mediator for twenty-five years and is a Family Mediation Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution; a practicing Florida Supreme Court certified family, dependency, circuit court and county court mediator; and a licensed psychologist. Dr. Firestone serves on the Editorial Board of Family Court Review and has previously served on the Boards of Directors of the Academy of Family Mediators and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. He is Past President of the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and recipient of the 2002 Association for Conflict Resolution Presidential Award. Dr. Firestone has lectured and published widely in the field of mediation and is coauthor of Mediation Works: Make it Work for You, a family mediation orientation video produced by the Florida Supreme Court Dispute Resolution Center.

Wesley Pardue, Esq.,is a family law attorney and a certified family mediator in Tampa, Florida. Previously Mr. Pardue has served as General Master in the Family Law Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit and as a Chief Trial Attorney for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Mr. Pardue has also participated in the development of dependency mediation rules later adopted by the Florida Supreme Court.

Elizabeth A. Townes, CPA, is a certified public accountant, a Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator, and a certified valuation analyst. Ms. Townes has a Master’s in Business Administration and her private practice includes forensic accounting and family mediation.

Paul McGuire, Esq., is Director of the Mediation and Diversion Program in the 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He is a certified dependency, family, civil, and county court mediator.

Register at least 10 days prior to class start date for $925; after that the fee is $975 (includes refreshments). No refunds within one week of class start date. If you withdraw at least one week prior to class start date, a $25 administrative fee will be charged. Substitutions allowed until one day prior. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants.

The University reserves the right to cancel any programs in which case fees are fully refunded. This course meets the Florida Supreme Court training standards for certification as a dependency mediator.There are additional requirements for certification by the Florida Supreme Court which are described in the Florida Rules for Certified and Court Appointed Mediators (see this link).

Registration is reserved for individuals who possess a master’s or doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., J.D., M.D., Ed.D., LL.M) degree. Individuals with a bachelor's degree who have either five years mediation experience or a graduate certificate in conflict resolution may also register. Others may enroll with the permission of the instructor.

The number of course participants is limited. If you register less than 10 days before the course begins, please call (813) 974-4296 to verify that space is available and to receive special instructions regarding registration and payment of your registration fee. A confirmation letter will be sent upon receipt of your registration and payment. No registration is confirmed without full payment

The USF Conflict Resolution Collaborative offers Family, Circuit Civil, and Dependency Mediation certification training programs which are approved by the Florida Supreme Court and approved by the Florida Bar for CLER. Certification courses meet the Florida Supreme Court training requirement for certification as a mediator in the respective areas. Additional requirements for mediator certification by the Florida Supreme Court are described in the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. Call 850/921-2910 for mediation certification requirements.

For More Information, email or call CPD at (813) 974-4296 or (800) 852-5362.