Restorative Circles & Family Mediation join forces.
Restorative Family Mediation differs from Family Group Conferencing and adheres to a Code of Ethics. MN Rule 114 standards ensure everyone can exercise self-determination (free will) and be treated fairly without coercion in private settings. As part of our doctoral research, we've chosen to study perceptions of the environment in which a trained Restorative Family Mediator creates. We've selected the Gartner Inclusion Index as an anonymous survey launched in January 2023. These early findings reflect our first five months of capturing data that will be updated quarterly. Perceptions show that this ADR facilitative model supports a safe environment for high-quality and creative agreements to various family conflicts. Highly trained restorative neutral facilitators, bound to a Code of Ethics and focused on resolution, restoration, or reconciliation, can change trajectories as people feel respected, heard, and understood in crucial life moments.
Our office provides restorative mediation services to several Twin Cities metro counties and focuses on substance abuse and families. We train and mobilize a diverse team of Restorative Family Mediators to serve county social service offices and families in the community. All mediators are Qualified Neutrals and receive ongoing restorative leadership coaching and case management support to ensure the fidelity of our model is consistent across the region.
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What is the experience for parents referred to Restorative Family Mediation by county social services?
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Restorative Family Mediator receives a referral from the county office and contacts the parent for a 15-minute "connect" to gather the parent's perception of the need for services.
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During the call, the parent:
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Decides on the location (at home, online, neutral location, etc).
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Selects their support network to join (if there is no support network, we offer vetted volunteers to support).
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The restorative session is conducted (typically 90-120 minutes) and led by Restorative Family Mediator, including food, humor, common ground building, and creative planning. We often use whiteboards, drawing paper, and markers to allow parents to draw/write in their own words what they agree to.
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Social workers can attend and address their points of concern. Power remains distributed across the group, and the mediator is trained to safeguard and protect the environment.
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Upon conclusion, the mediator collects all written agreements (formed through consensus) and drafts the Memorandum of Agreement or plan. The mediator submits a signed copy to the parent and social worker for signatures and the next steps.
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What types of cases does The Katallasso Group currently engage with county social services?
Our contracted services focus on Substance Abuse & Parenting.
Here are some examples of what referrals have looked like:
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Birth planning
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Safety planning
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Out-of-Home placement / Reunification
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Initial CPS follow-up - Rapid Response
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Parent/child relationship repair
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Sobriety planning
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Marital/partner conflict
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What does your capacity to help our county look like currently?
We have over 60 Restorative Family Mediators in Minnesota in these areas:
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Northern MN: International Falls, Iron Range, Grand Rapids, Duluth area, Moose Lake
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Western Central MN: Pelican Rapids, Fergus Falls, Fargo, Brainerd, Alexandria, Wahpeton, St. Cloud
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Twin Cities 11 county metro
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Southern MN: Mankato, Faribault, LaCrosse
All mediators can support referrals via Zoom effectively.
We also have Restorative Family Mediators in West Virginia, New York, California, Texas, South/North Dakota, and Mexico.