Domestic Abuse & IPV Screening

Training for Mediators

CLE’s Pending

The Maine Association of Mediators (MAM) is offering Domestic Abuse & IPV Screening for Mediators, a course designed to help meet the requirements to apply to the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Services (CADRES) roster and assist all mediators with this essential skill. This course is designed to meet the eight (8) hour CADRES roster training requirement for domestic abuse, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and coercive control screening.

This training was developed by longtime CADRES mediator Brenda Mitchell who dedicated her career to giving a voice to victims of abuse through training and advocacy. Erin Clough, Karen Groat, and Terri DeCoster are pleased to continue the tradition of hosting this training annually in collaboration with MAM. The training will also include a presentation by attorney’s from Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

Through this course, mediators will learn how to:

• Define Domestic Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and forms of coercive control, understand their effects on communication, and practice methods of screening. 

• Screen for a history or pattern of domestic abuse/IPV in the relationship.

• Develop strategies for mediating when there is a history of domestic abuse. 

• Develop a safety plan for before, during, and after the mediation session.

When: December 7, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

with 1.5 Hours of Training Materials and Pre-work

Location: Zoom

(Your zoom invite will be emailed to you before the event)

Registration Information:

Participants will receive training materials and a certificate of attendance.

Cost:

$175.00 for Non-MAM Members

$150.00 for MAM Members

$50.00 Refresher Fee

(For anyone who has previously taken the 8 hour training.)

Trainers: 

Erin Clough, Esq. holds a B.A. in psychology from Emory University and a J.D. from the Boston College School of Law. Erin is an assistant Attorney General in the Child Protection Division of the Maine Office of the Attorney General where she represents the Department of Health and Human Services in child welfare cases. Erin has been an attorney for over 20 years and a mediator for 10.  Prior to joining the AG’s office in 2022, Erin worked in various capacities to help families navigate crises in a child-focused way.  She served on the court rosters for family matters, small claims, and forcible entry and detainer (evictions); mediated for families privately; and served as a guardian ad litem representing children in child protection cases, family matters, and guardianship cases.  Erin and Karen worked closely together in a community mediation setting with a goal of making mediation more accessible to more families statewide. Erin has a particular interest in domestic violence and the impact that it has on children and families.

Terri DeCoster, MS is a mediator, co-parent educator, and divorce, co-parenting, and stepparent coach with more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and families navigating separation, divorce, and changing family relationships.She helps clients communicate more effectively, clarify what matters most, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. Central to her work is keeping the experience of the child present in adult conversations and helping parents consider how family changes and decisions may be experienced by their children. She also has specialized training in high-conflict divorce and co-parenting.Terri is a founding member and longtime facilitator at the Kids First Center and serves on the Maine court roster for family matters. She also mediates through the UMA Mediation Program and Maine Agricultural Mediation Program. Terri works primarily by Zoom and has an office in Yarmouth, Maine. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

Karen Groat has enjoyed over 25 years of mediation, consulting, and teaching and currently is adjunct faculty at University of Maine @ Augusta in Justice Studies. As former director of two Family Mediation programs, she worked extensively with mediators, families, communities and organizations specializing in complex family matters and workplace disputes. An experienced Transformative practitioner and conflict coach, Karen combines research from neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and relational practice to assist families as they navigate the many life transitions often exacerbated  by loss or grief.  In 2018, she expanded work in collaboration with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for farmer well-being to include Farm Coaching and agricultural mediation (MAMP) addressing issues impacting Maine’s agriculture and rural communities and farm succession planning.

Questions?

Contact Karen Groat at karen.groat@maine.edu

or Mary at administrator@mainemediators.org