The Custody Mediation Program of the Cuyahoga County Department of Justice Affairs, has been providing a unique and valuable service to the families of Cuyahoga County since 1995.  As a positive early intervention in a family crisis, mediation often eliminates the need for further court action.  Mediation provides user-friendly services to the public, frees up court dockets, and makes court services more accessible to indigent clients. 

In custody mediation, the mediator (a neutral third party) helps parents develop a personalized parenting and visitation plan, taking into account the needs and schedules of both parties.  Mediators teach parents to communicate, listen, negotiate and interact in ways that minimize conflict.  Custody and visitation disputes involving children of unmarried parents are automatically referred to mediation.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles and stepparents may also be involved.  Other referrals include cases in which a parent lost legal custody to a relative some time in the past and now wishes to reestablish contact.

Based upon years of providing medation services to families where a parent is returning to the community from incarceration, former Program Director Mary Malloy wrote an informative guide for the returning parent, Put Yourself in Their Shoes.

• Click Here to download a brochure that answers all your questions about Custody Mediation
• Click Here to download instructions for a pro-se custody application in Juvenile Court
• Click Here to download a flyer with information about the Custody Mediation desk in the Child Support lobby

Custody Mediation Program              
Whitlatch Building                   
1910 Carnegie Avenue                   
Cleveland, OH  44115                   
216.443.3149
http://www.ja.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/mediation.aspx

Custody Intake Office