Community Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which one or two neutral mediator(s) help two
or more people find win-win solutions to their conflict. The process is implemented by volunteers
who are professionally trained and are recruited to represent the diversity of the neighborhood
they serve. The community mediators guide the participants through a process that helps them to
first identify their issues and then generate their own solutions.
Community mediation in Maryland is provided by centers that are members of community and
follow the guidance of the 10-point model of community mediation. Community Mediation
Maryland centers offer free or sliding scale mediation services to local community members.
These service are made possible by donations from community members, local businesses,
grants from foundations, and the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a process in which trained, neutral persons ("mediators") help individuals in a
dispute to communicate with one another, to understand each other, and if possible, to reach
agreements that satisfy everyone's needs.
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IS MEDIATION VOLUNTARY?
Unless ordered by a Court, mediation is a voluntary process that the participants must be willing to
try. In all mediations, the participants cannot be forced to agree to anything.
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IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
The CCMC has a very strict confidentiality policy:
All information, oral or written, disclosed during intake and/or mediation, shall be treated as
confidential, with these exceptions:
Suspected child abuse or neglect;
Suspected elder abuse or neglect; or
Credible threats of bodily harm to one's self or another person.
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WHAT DOES IT COST?
The CCMC provides mediation as a free service to our community, thanks to grants, donations,
and our volunteer mediators. There is no charge to you.
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WHEN & WHERE?
Mediations can be held daytime, nighttime and weekends. Each session is two (2) hours in
length. Additional sessions can be scheduled.
The CCMC uses neutral locations throughout Charles County. The intake office will work with you
to find a time and location that works best for all the participants. We do not hold mediations at
private residences or police stations.
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HOW DO I SCHEDULE MEDIATION?
The first step is to call the Center and ask for intake. The intake office is open 8:30 am to 2:30 pm,
Monday through Friday: 301-861-0376 (You may also leave a phone message at any time and your
call will be returned at the earliest opportunity.) You will need either a telephone number or
address for the parties involved. The intake office will then contact all the parties involved and
explain the mediation process.
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WHO ARE THE MEDIATORS?
All of our mediators are professionally trained volunteers from the community. Volunteers have
completed a minimum of 40 hours of training. The Center requires additional continuing education
each year and provides advanced training in the area of parenting plans.
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WHAT TYPES OF DISPUTES CAN BE MEDIATED?
The CCMC will mediate just about any type of dispute between two or more individuals. Some
examples of commonly mediated situations involve:
Neighbor/Neighbor
Family Disputes, Parent/Teen, Parenting Plans
Husband/Wife, Siblings, In-laws
Roommates
Landlord/Tenant
Employer/Employee, Co-workers
Business/Customer
Community Associations/Groups
Friend/Friend
The CCMC has an on-going partnership with the District Court. Select cases are referred to the
Center prior to the hearing date. You may also choose to try mediation prior to filing a case.
Mediation does not take away your rights. If mediation does not resolve the conflict, you still have
other avenues for resolution available.
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WHY SHOULD I TRY MEDIATION?
Mediation may save you time and will save you money.
We can normally schedule a mediation within two weeks & there is no fee.
Mediation can help repair relationships.
Mediation is a win/win process, where all of the participants get their needs met.
In mediation, you speak for yourself and make your own decisions. The participants decide what
will work best for their lives.
Mediation can help protect your privacy.
WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a process in which trained, neutral persons ("mediators") help individuals in a
dispute to communicate with one another, to understand each other, and if possible, to reach
agreements that satisfy everyone's needs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS MEDIATION VOLUNTARY?
Unless ordered by a Court, mediation is a voluntary process that the participants must be willing to
try. In all mediations, the participants cannot be forced to agree to anything.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
The CCMC has a very strict confidentiality policy:
All information, oral or written, disclosed during intake and/or mediation, shall be treated as
confidential, with these exceptions:
Suspected child abuse or neglect;
Suspected elder abuse or neglect; or
Credible threats of bodily harm to one's self or another person.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The CCMC provides mediation as a free service to our community, thanks to grants, donations,
and our volunteer mediators. There is no charge to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN & WHERE?
Mediations can be held daytime, nighttime and weekends. Each session is two (2) hours in
length. Additional sessions can be scheduled.
The CCMC uses neutral locations throughout Charles County. The intake office will work with you
to find a time and location that works best for all the participants. We do not hold mediations at
private residences or police stations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW DO I SCHEDULE MEDIATION?
The first step is to call the Center and ask for intake. The intake office is open 8:30 am to 2:30 pm,
Monday through Friday: 301-861-0376 (You may also leave a phone message at any time and your
call will be returned at the earliest opportunity.) You will need either a telephone number or
address for the parties involved. The intake office will then contact all the parties involved and
explain the mediation process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO ARE THE MEDIATORS?
All of our mediators are professionally trained volunteers from the community. Volunteers have
completed a minimum of 40 hours of training. The Center requires additional continuing education
each year and provides advanced training in the area of parenting plans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT TYPES OF DISPUTES CAN BE MEDIATED?
The CCMC will mediate just about any type of dispute between two or more individuals. Some
examples of commonly mediated situations involve:
Neighbor/Neighbor
Family Disputes, Parent/Teen, Parenting Plans
Husband/Wife, Siblings, In-laws
Roommates
Landlord/Tenant
Employer/Employee, Co-workers
Business/Customer
Community Associations/Groups
Friend/Friend
The CCMC has an on-going partnership with the District Court. Select cases are referred to the
Center prior to the hearing date. You may also choose to try mediation prior to filing a case.
Mediation does not take away your rights. If mediation does not resolve the conflict, you still have
other avenues for resolution available.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHY SHOULD I TRY MEDIATION?
Mediation may save you time and will save you money.
We can normally schedule a mediation within two weeks & there is no fee.
Mediation can help repair relationships.
Mediation is a win/win process, where all of the participants get their needs met.
In mediation, you speak for yourself and make your own decisions. The participants decide what
will work best for their lives.
Mediation can help protect your privacy.
Charles County
Mediation Center (CCMC)
Mediation Center (CCMC)
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Telephone Number:301 861.0376
Address:
P.O. Box 1142
LaPlata, MD 20646
Address:
P.O. Box 1142
LaPlata, MD 20646