PPM Process
What is Permanency Planning Mediation?
PPM is a specialized mediation process offered on behalf of children after reunification services have ended. Our mediators help the child’s family of origin and their potential adoptive parents or legal guardians work together to make a plan for maintaining family connections, should adoption or legal guardianship take place.
PPM is a specialized mediation process offered on behalf of children after reunification services have ended. Our mediators help the child’s family of origin and their potential adoptive parents or legal guardians work together to make a plan for maintaining family connections, should adoption or legal guardianship take place.
PPM is:
Child-Focused: Our mediators work carefully with family members to help them consider and focus on the child’s current and future need for connection.
Confidential: Our mediators will not share anything you talk about with anyone without your written permission, not even your name.
Neutral: We are an independent, non-profit agency. Our mediators are not a part of the court or social service agency. We provide assistance equally to all participants in the mediation.
Voluntary: It is your choice whether you participate in mediation.
Collaborative: Through mediation, families develop their own plan for future connections for the child.
Free: There is no cost to you.
Have you been referred to PPM?
What to expect
Starting the Process
Starting the Process
You will receive an information letter or email from Consortium for Children about PPM.
A PPM mediator will reach out to you to schedule a time to talk individually.
The first meeting with the mediator is not a commitment to mediate but is a confidential discussion of the process and its benefits.
Mediation Begins
Mediation Begins
After everyone agrees to mediate, the PPM mediator will meet separately a few times with each family member through video or at a location that feels comfortable for you.
The conversations focus on the child’s relationships and what types of connections or contact will support their wellbeing.
Developing an Agreement
Developing an Agreement
If a plan is reached, the mediator will write a draft Post Adoption or Legal Guardianship Contact Agreement (PACA or PLGCA) for your review.
Once the draft is approved, with your permission, it will be shared with the involved attorneys and social workers for their feedback.
A final version of the Agreement is signed by all parties and provided to the child’s social worker to file with the court should the adoption or guardianship finalize.
If an Agreement is filed, Consortium for Children remains available to help with any issues regarding the Agreement that families are not able to resolve on their own until the child turns 18.
Benefits of PPM
Preserves and Builds Child’s Connections with Their…
- Important relationships, including between siblings
- Personal history
- Family medical information
- Cultural heritage
Supports the Child’s Wellbeing through…
- Connections that nourish their sense of identity
- Plans that are flexible to meet changing needs over time
- Nurturing feelings of reassurance, confidence, and stability
Encourages Open and Honest Communication by…
- Helping everyone feel heard
- Clearing up misconceptions
- Focusing on the child and future plans
- Creating clear expectations, boundaries, and accountability
- Cultivating trust and cooperation
Agreement to Mediate
PPM is a voluntary process intended to help participants effectively communicate and create a plan to maintain connections for children. Agreeing to mediate is agreeing to have a guided conversation and to explore what might be possible; it is not agreeing to any specific plan or outcome. Even if someone agrees to mediate, they can choose to end mediation at any time. Your PPM Mediator will review the Agreement to Mediate with you and answer any questions.
English SpanishConfidentiality
Mediation is confidential. This gives everyone the freedom to explore their thoughts and feelings about what might be best for the child. Openness and honesty are important when creating workable and lasting plans.
California Evidence Code sections 1115-1129 has strict rules about mediation confidentiality that mediators must follow. This means that our mediators will not share anything that happens during mediation with anyone. Only with your written permission may any information be shared. Mediators also cannot be subpoenaed by the court.
There are two exceptions to confidentiality, however: Threats of danger to self or others, or new incidents of child abuse or neglect disclosed or seen during the mediation process.
Contact Planning
Through mediation every family creates their own unique contact plan that supports their child now and into the future. Contact may or may not include visits. Families will consider:
· Who may be involved
· The types of contact
· How often contact may occur
· Any other plans that will help contact be successful
Families will also have the opportunity to consider what situations may result in a change or pause to contact and what would need to happen for it to restart. For those who reach a written agreement on a contact plan, further mediation is available if needed until the child turns 18.
