Family Assistance in Resolution (FAIR) PINS Mediation Program
A specialized program has been designed to help families facing issues regarding an adolescent family member. Every family goes through the difficult growing process in which a child becomes a young adult. Communications between parents and children can be extremely difficult at this time and this particular mediation program is designed to help parents and their teenage children reestablish the lines of communication and discuss the important issues of curfew, drug use and truancy. Families learn how to negotiate and live more peacefully together within their own homes.
Participation in mediation helps families engage in productive discussions and achieve a greater understanding of the issues in dispute. Many times families will emerge from mediations with written agreements that reflect the solutions they arrived at during the mediation discussion. These written agreements usually contain behavioral terms that help the families clarify responsibilities and reestablish trust. The agreements are reviewed in subsequent mediation sessions and become building blocks towards the establishment of mutual respect and responsibility.
To better understand what the program is about and how we can serve the families of Queens, we have listed some important facts that describe FAIR and answer the common questions presented by the Queens families that utilize our program.
Q. What is Mediation?
A. Mediation is a process that provides an alternative place to resolve the difficult problems in your life. Few conflicts in life, particularly family and personal issues, can resolve themselves without communication. Mediation allows individuals to meet confidentially, and under the facilitation of a professional mediator, to discuss the problem shared in their lives and review possible options for solving the shared problem. The objective is restoring peace of mind to both individuals. Mediation is a process that can help rebuild the bonds of trust lost in the dynamics of conflict.
Q. What types of problems and issues can be discussed in FAIR Mediation?
A. The process of Mediation is available to aid in the resolution of many types of problems. Types of problems dealt with in FAIR Mediation are listed below:
School related problems such as truancy
- Curfew
- Harassment
- Issues of mutual privacy and respect
- Family communication
- Substance Abuse
- Responsibilities
Other problems not listed above may be appropriate for mediation and can be reviewed by our trained staff on an individual basis.
Q. How do I make an appointment to set up Mediation?
A. To make a mediation appointment you may call or come to one of the following offices:
Queens Mediation Network
89-64 163rd Street
Jamaica, NY 11432
(718) 523-6868 ext 268/269
Community Dispute Resolution Center
Queens Criminal Courthouse
125-01 Queens Boulevard
Room #C-24 (Basement level)
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(718) 520-4710
Q. If I do not speak English, can Mediation provide an Interpreter?
A. Yes. We are fortunate to have the ability to utilize the Interpreters currently employed by the New York State Court System. It is advisable, for those residents who do not speak English, that when calling to make your appointment for Mediation you have a friend or relative assist you as an interpreter for this initial call. At this time it will be noted that an Interpreter will be required for the actual Mediation session once scheduled.
Q. Who can make referrals to FAIR Mediation?
A. Any young adult or parent or guardian can call to make an appointment. Additionally, any school staff member who feels a family may benefit through FAIR Mediation may call with a referral. We also accept referrals from other service agencies within Queens.
Q. If I am interested in becoming a Mediator and volunteering my services to the community, whom do I contact?
A. Please contact our staff at (718) 523-6868 ext 284 if you would like information on becoming a Mediator.
Q. If I am interested in having my staff or fellow associates trained in Mediation, whom do I contact?
A. You should contact our Training Institute at (718) 523-6868 ext 209
For more information on the many trainings available for your staff in the fields of Mediation or Conflict Resolution,
Q. Do you have specialty programs that deal with other specific types of issues?
A. Yes we do. We have found that certain types of issues require a more specialized type of mediation. Therefore, the following list details our specialty programs. To receive more information on these specialty programs, click on the designated Link.
CUSTODY & VISITATION MEDIATION
QUEENS MEDIATION NETWORK
VICTIM/OFFENDER MEDIATION
DIVORCE MEDIATION
Family Assistance in Resolution (FAIR) PINS Mediation Program is Funded by The NYS Office of Court Administration.
