The Juvenile Dependency Class addresses issues surrounding the custody of children, including situations where abuse, health, and legal issues arise.

This training prepares mediators for cases involving children and youth involved in parenting termination, custody, guardianship, and other family related matters through the probate, juvenile and superior courts. This training is to qualify the mediator to conduct cases involving children that are dependent.

A dependent child is defined by statute as a child who is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his physical, mental, or emotional health or morals; has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law; has been abandoned by his parents or other legal custodian; or is without a parent, guardian, or custodian. These cases come primarily from three sources: The Department of Human Resources, law enforcement, and private citizens. As a mediator, you may mediate cases from all referral sources.

This course provides you the opportunity to see the participants in dependency cases and the function of each in your process. The curriculum covers child developmental issues, parenting and family dynamics, family violence, parental violence and a variety of topics that are unique to the dependency process.

The course is now 28 hours (4 days) for those without the registration and active practice in domestic cases. For those that are actively registered and practicing in the Domestic category, as designated by GODR, the course is 21 hours (still over four days, but with early dismissal on certain days). Please refer to the Course Schedule page for the appropriate schedule under which you qualify.

To enter this class you should have completed Juvenile Delinquency Mediation Training.