[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the services being offered by the State Mediation and Conciliation Service as of April 1, 2020.]
Last month, the State Mediation and Conciliation Service (SMCS) announced the suspension of its onsite mediation services through the end of March, with only certain types of assignments being offered via telephone conference or video conference. Since this announcement, the SMCS expects that onsite mediation services may be deferred through the end of April. In the meantime, the SMCS will continue to review certain types of issues on a case-by-case basis that can be clarified via telephone conference or video conference.
The SMCS is available via email at smcsinfo@perb.ca.gov or by telephone at (916) 322-7638. We will be sure to keep you updated on any future changes in the SMCS’s services.