Organizational Collaboration

OAFM and FDRIO agree that they have a duty to act in the best interests of all
members to advance Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) and move forward as allies to build up the profession and will do so by providing members:
a) Increased access to education,
b) Increased access to both organizations, certifications, and events,
c) FDRIO and OAFM will advocate jointly and speak with one strong and unified voice on FDR initiatives, where applicable and appropriate, and;
d) Decreased or complimentary OAFM Membership fees for the first year of collaboration (see chart below for details).

In Ontario Family Dispute Resolution Organizations have been divided in certifying mediators, which has caused confusion, duplication, and conflict. FDRIO and OAFM agree that the outside professionals and the public are confused by the obvious overlap with the certification of family mediators, which dilutes the value of both organizations’ certifications. FDRIO and OAFM agree that OAFM focuses on family mediation and FDRIO focuses on FDR in all its forms; arbitration, financial, parenting coordination, and coaching, in addition to mediation. Both organizations agree that a Member’s choice of organization is a matter of where that professional determines is the best fit for them.

You can make a decision to join OAFM anytime prior to December 31, 2024 at which time your FDRP Med certification will no longer be active.

All existing FDRP-Med Members as of June 30, 2023 will receive one year of free OAFM Membership. To learn how this affects you, please refer to the chart below.
OAFM Application fees will be waived for FDRP Med’s existing as of June 30, 2023 who opt-in to receive an AccFM
FDRIO will reduce your annual membership to $175 should you only have the FDRP Med certification.

You can maintain and market your FDRIO FDRP Med designation until December 31, 2024

This is a voluntary election to be made individually by each FDRP Med Member; you can make a decision to join OAFM any time prior to December 31, 2024 to receive the financial benefits of joining.

To support FDR as a whole and gain valuable networking, education and accreditation opportunities in areas such as Parenting Coordination, Arbitration, Financial and the new Mediation-Arbitration designation planned for later in 2023.

All interim training plans will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by
OAFM’s Accreditation Committee and in consultation with FDRIO. All reasonable learning pathways will be examined fairly, and the goal is not to leave anyone behind or in a catch 22 as a result of OAFM and FDRIO’s collaboration.

During the transition period, any complaint regarding a member of both organizations will be shared inter-organizationally. If the complaint shares jurisdiction between the organizations, appropriate consent will be obtained from the Complainant. If a member has elected not to become an OAFM Member of any type, and the Member is a member of FDRIO, the complaint will stay solely within FDRIO and vice versa in the case of OAFM Members.

Sienna Jae Taylor, Operations Manager, FDRIO – info@fdrio.ca
Mary-Anne Popescu, Executive Director, OAFM – director@oafm.on.ca