Advocacy and Mediation

Course Description

This course is designed to explore the potential use and benefits of mediation as a part of the advocacy process. Attention to overcoming barriers of effective service delivery will be examined. Students will experience the roles of mediator, advocate, and agency representative. Workshops will include role-plays in dyads and small groups.

Topics and Objectives

Advocacy in Modern Culture

• List specific populations of target groups in need of social services, mediation, and/or advocacy assistance.
• Discuss emerging social issues that may affect the timely and resourceful delivery of advocacy services.

The Role of the Advocate

• Describe the evolution of advocacy in the human services field.

Community Services

• Explore services on a local and national level.
• Discuss traditional service delivery.
• Identify barriers to service delivery.

Overview of Dispute Resolution Models

• Describe the different ADR processes available; including arbitration, mediation, etc. as they pertain to the helping professions.
• Assess various client situations and determine which ADR processes are most appropriate and the role of an advocate in each.

The Role of the Mediator in the Helping Professions

• Explain the function and limitations of a third party neutral.
• Discuss mediator neutrality, perceived bias, confidentiality, and outcome expectations.

Developing Negotiation Skills

• Discuss the principles of WIN-WIN negotiations.
• Explore the concept of BATNA.

Interest-Based Negotiation and Transformative Mediation

• Analyze the elements of interest based negotiation.
• Discuss the importance of client transformation and self-reliance.
• Identify and discuss the difference between positions and interests.

Basic Components of a Mediation Model

• Identify the basic stages of a mediation model.
• Discuss the issues of proximity, physical setting, safety, and power imbalances.
• Explore the use of mediation and advocacy to initiate or change social policy.

The Future of Mediation and Advocacy in Human Services: Promoting Community Change

• Demonstrate the ability to promote advocacy and mediation in human services.
• Explore the future promise of conflict resolution, through advocacy and mediation in the human services field, in promoting social change.