FFS Rule 8.H. provides for an administrative fee to be assessed for family financial mediator certification and renewal of certification. Fees provide not only for administration of the certification process, but also cover the costs of operating the Commission and its office. Certification fees also cover the cost of services the Commission provides to mediators including, the costs involved in mailing rule revisions and other information to mediators and in maintaining this web site and publishing the Commission's quarterly newsletter. In addition, fees support special projects the Commission undertakes for the benefit of mediators. For example, the Commission provided grant funds for a project to develop a mediation manual for mediators, attorneys, and court staff. The manual is scheduled to be published in last quarter of 2002 or first quarter 2003.
Currently, the certification fee to become a family financial mediator is set at $140.00. The fee for initial certification is prorated quarterly for the first year (see
Prorated Mediator Certification Fees table). Thereafter, a renewal fee is assessed each spring beginning in April or May. Currently, the renewal fee is also set at $140.00. A dual certification fee of $200.00 is available for mediators interested in becoming certified to serve both the Family Financial Settlement and Mediated Settlement Conference Programs.
Certification and renewal fees enable the Commission to be largely self-supporting, i.e., operating with little or no expenditure of tax dollars. In essence, the Commission's operations mirror the user pay structure of the programs its serves. Financial independence has enabled these programs to expand statewide rapidly and to continue to operate with no reduction in services in the face of North Carolina's recent budget crunch. The Commission's operations are lean. Its office is staffed by only three personnel, one professional and two administrative staff, all of whom work part-time. The Commission has fought and will continue to fight to keep its expenses as low as possible, so that fee increases are avoided. Mediators may request a copy of the Commission's budget for inspection.