The Mediation Center in Columbia, Maryland is a renowned organization that specializes in alternative ways to resolve family and business disputes for Baltimore area clients. Led by Paizz, an experienced Maryland mediator and lawyer with over a decade of experience in resolving family, civil and commercial disputes through mediation and collaboration techniques, the Howard County Mediation and Dispute Resolution Center provides free or low-cost mediation and other dispute resolution services to give people in conflict the opportunity to be heard, understand each other better, and develop their own solutions. These processes provide neighbors, schools, government agencies, religious communities, organizations, and families with a constructive way to respond to conflict. The Mediation Center is headquartered in Washington County and can also provide remote, and possibly in-person, services to individuals and communities in Allegany County.
The Office of Family Mediation is comprised of a team of trained professionals dedicated to helping participants resolve disputes related to custody, visitation, and other family matters. Reentry mediation is a service that the MCRC provides through a strong and healthy partnership with the Howard County Detention Center (HCDC) in Jessup, Maryland. At the Office of Family Mediation, a free conference will be held at the Office of Family Mediation prior to the contempt hearing on issues related to child access, during which a mediator will attempt to resolve the dispute. The Ellicott City, Maryland Mediation Center provides mediation and collaborative law services for clients in Ellicott City, Baltimore, Catonsville, Arbutus, Woodlawn, Elkridge, Columbia, Randallstown, Towson, Parkville, Eldersburg, Pikesville, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Perry Hall, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, and Severn. Reentry mediation sessions are held at the HCDC; all participants and mediators must comply with HCDC rules and regulations while on HCDC facilities. The Maryland program is considered a national model and attempts are currently being made to replicate it in 3 other states.
If you have a civil case pending in Circuit Court you may be able to use mediation or a conciliation conference to resolve your case before trial. Children rarely participate in mediation and will only be included if the mediator deems it appropriate in a particular case. The Juvenile Court orders mediation when children are in the custody of the Department of Social Services. Please note that due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 the Mediation Center will provide its services virtually until the obligation to use masks in indoor meetings is lifted. Community mediation provides a non-profit framework for ensuring access to mediation services at the community level while maintaining control and responsibility for conflict resolution in the community. The reentry mediation program is available at all Maryland state prisons and 11 local detention centers.
All MCRC mediators are expected to continue to be members of the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence (MPME) through the Maryland Office of Judicial Mediation and Dispute Resolution (MACRO) and to attend continuing education courses throughout the year. In conclusion, The Mediation Center in Columbia offers family mediation services as part of its comprehensive dispute resolution services. It provides free or low-cost mediation services for individuals and communities in Allegany County as well as remote or possibly in-person services for clients throughout Maryland. The Office of Family Mediation is comprised of trained professionals dedicated to helping participants resolve disputes related to custody and visitation while reentry mediation sessions are held at the Howard County Detention Center (HCDC). All MCRC mediators are expected to continue their membership with MPME through MACRO.
