Mark Baumann has joined the board of directors of the Washington Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). AFCC is an international and interdisciplinary organization dedicated to improving standards and practices in all family law matters, including litigation and mediation.
AFCC hosts blue ribbon commissions to develop best practice guidelines. These include guidelines for mediation, court-involved therapy for when therapists are involved with contributing to the decision making process, and guidelines for examining intimate partner violence.
AFCC mediation guidelines identify three benefits of family law mediation as:
- Increasing the self-determination of participants and their ability to communicate;
- Promoting the best interests of children; and
- Reducing the economic and emotional costs associated with the resolution of family disputes.