Alaska Request for Court Sponsored CHINA Mediation (RCM) is a confidential and voluntary process created for families involved in contested Child In Need of Aid (CHINA) cases. RCM is designed to provide an alternative dispute resolution option for families involved in CHINA proceedings and is available in all Alaska superior courts. RCM is an opportunity for families to reach a mutually agreed-upon resolution of the issues in dispute without the need for a formal judicial hearing. There are two types of Alaska Request for Court Sponsored CHINA Mediation: Formal RCM and Informal RCM. Formal RCM is a full-day mediation process that is conducted by a neutral mediator. The mediator assists the parties in identifying the issues in dispute, exploring options, and reaching an agreement. Informal RCM is a more informal process in which the parties meet with the mediator for a shorter period of time to discuss the issues in dispute and work towards a resolution. The goal of both types of RCM is to provide an opportunity for families to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution without the need for a formal judicial hearing.