We continue to have situations where parties agree to extend the resolution period to engage in mediation and then fail to follow through with the mediation yet advise the hearing officer that they have been unable to schedule the mediation and therefore

We continue to have situations where parties agree to extend the resolution period to engage in mediation and then fail to follow through with the mediation yet advise the hearing officer that they have been unable to schedule the mediation and therefore need to continue to extend the resolution period for months.  1.) Does your state set a timeline within which mediations must be held? 2. ) How do you handle situations where a party or parties fail to respond to the mediator to schedule the mediation? 3.) If parties are using mediation to attempt to resolve a hearing and agree to extend the resolution period to engage in mediation, do you have a time limit for them to complete the process? 4.) Is there any communication between the mediator and hearing officer as to the scheduling of the mediation?