COMMUNITY MEDIATION UPPER SHORE INC

Description

In 2000, the Honorable Chief Judge Bell of the MD Court of Appeals established the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) to help advance alternative dispute resolution programs throughout Maryland. In 2002, with the assistance of MACRO, community leaders established Chester Valley Community Mediation Service (CVCMS) as a non-profit organization to provide mediation services in five counties on the Eastern Shore. The effort was so successful that two counties were spun off and an additional one was added to form a separate mediation center which became Mid Shore Community Mediation Center (MSCMC) serving Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline. In 2006, CVCMS changed its name to Community Mediation Upper Shore (CMUS) to more accurately reflect the area it serves. In 2019, Cecil County spun off to also create its own community mediation center. Uniquely, CMUS is the only free mediation service in the two counties served: Kent and Queen Anne’s. CMUS supports Kent and Queen Anne’s Family Courts by offering free child access services to low or no income co‑parents through day of mediations four times a month and Court orders. CMUS supports State's Attorney's Offices by mediating selected litigants. CMUS supports Kent and Queen Anne’s District Courts in a pretrial program for all non-represented contested cases.