Courts frequently require that parents contesting custody or visitation attend an orientation to prepare them to participate in mediation. This article reviews three evaluations conducted of such programs. Two of the evaluations were primarily qualitative, finding that participants felt that the orientation helped them understand the mediation process. The third, of a program in San Diego, CA, randomly assigned parents to attend orientation or not. It found that those parents who went through orientation knew more about the mediation process and were more likely to settle outside of court.

In addition to the program evaluations, the authors examined the program models currently in use, and present their similarities and differences. They also recommend potential research designs for program evaluation and provide a framework for offering individualized services to parents.