The Dispute Settlement Center of the Better Business Bureau Foundation will start a Family Mediation Program in Genesee County Family Court. Supported by the New York State Unified Court System, the 8th Judicial District and the Better Business Bureau, the Family Mediation Program offers parents the opportunity to discuss and resolve custody and visitation issues with the assistance of a trained mediator at no cost to parents.

Located in the Genesee County Courts Facility at One West Main Street, Batavia, the Family Mediation Program provides a safe but less formal atmosphere for resolving disputes and creating workable parenting plans that focus on the best interest of the child or children. Parents can discuss custody arrangements, visitation schedules, the sharing of holidays and special events as well as many other parenting problems through the Family Mediation Program. Any agreement reached may be submitted to the Family Court with a request that it be made into a court order.

Participation in the Family Mediation Program is voluntary, confidential, cost-effective and generally an efficient way to resolve disputes. In addition, mediation allows parents to maintain control over the outcome of the dispute. All agreements are reached with the input of both parents, and are not imposed by the mediator. "One of the advantages of using the Family Mediation Program is that parents retain the responsibility of making decisions that affect their children," said Julie Loesch, Esq., Director of the Dispute Settlement Center. "Unlike court, parents have as much time as they need to discuss their concerns and develop mutally workable, long lasting solutions."

Honorable Eric R. Adams, Family Court Judge, was instrumental in bringing mediation to Genesee County Family Court. "I have found the Family Mediation Program to be an effective effort to resolve many of the custody and visitation issues the Family Court is called upon to resolve. The program allows parents to discuss problems with a trained mediator and, in many instances, craft a solution to those problems in a less confrontational and more timely manner. This is of great benefit to the court as well, allowing us to concentrate more of our efforts and resources on some of our more difficult and troublesome cases," stated Judge Eric Adams.

For information on the Family Mediation Program or other programs offered by the Dispute Settlement Center, contact Cheryl Robinson at the Dispute Settlement Center located in Genesee County Family Court, (585) 344-2580 ext. 2440.