Mediation certification and training is being offered in Leon County, Florida in an effort to secure more volunteers from the community who can help conduct mediation sessions between parties currently in conflict on small-claims matters.  Leon County has a strong history of supporting such community mediation, having used the strategy since the mid-1980s.  Volunteers willing to help with mediation serve one day per week at the Leon County Court Annex. 

Mediation Certification Training Details

The free training sessions will be held in Tallahassee on November 1^st to November 4^th for seven hours each day.  Participants must be at least 21 years of age.  Additionally, participants must have either graduated from high school or passed the GED test.  A background check and interview are also required, and prospective volunteers must observe two mediation sessions in order to prepare them for the training program.

Although the program itself is free of charge, to become a conflict mediation volunteer, participants must pay an application fee of $20 and a certification fee of twice that amount.  According to Susan Marvin, the county court mediation coordinator, the volunteers are "very important.  About 84 percent of the small-claims cases are resolved by mediation in Leon County."

This has saved the county more than $400,000 during 2010 alone, but money is not the only issue.  "Our first goal is to provide the service for the citizens," added Marvin.  "It's just a wonderful group of volunteers who dedicate their time and have fun doing it."