County

Child Welfare Mediation

Child Welfare Mediation is a family focused; strength-based program offered at the discretion of the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The primary focus is resolving family issues as they relate to child abuse/neglect with a trauma responsive, compassionate approach. This service is provided in an effort to divert cases from becoming formal juvenile court cases. The County Attorney’s Office collaborates with the Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to keep families out of court.

Once the decision is made to divert a case to the Child Welfare Mediation program, the involved family must agree to attend for a successful outcome. The County Attorney’s Office makes arrangements with a mediator who acts as a neutral third party facilitating the process. All sessions are confidential and are at no expense to the families. The Department of Health and Human Services can provide a variety of services to address the concerns that brought the family to the mediation. The professionals who attend the mediation sessions share the same goal – ensure the safety and welfare of the child(ren).

This approach gives parents and families an opportunity to speak freely and become part of the solution to addressing their family’s needs. If a parent is desirous of having an attorney present at any of the sessions, they may do so. However, representation is not required. The County Attorney’s Office encourages families to bring as many family members as possible, friends and any other resources that will assist them in a successful outcome.

Child Welfare Mediation engages families to resolve issues without being before a judge. Families are not court ordered to attend and can refuse to participate in this program with the understanding that their refusal or otherwise failure to address their issues on an informal basis could result in the filing of a petition.