Country Music Embraces Childrenâ€™s Rights Council

Vol. 16 No. 1

Strengthening FamiliesThrough EducationAnd Advocacy

ISSN 1042-3559

Assisting Children ofSeparated, Divorced,

and Never-Married Parents

IN THIS ISSUE:

Extended Overnightswith Other Parent OK ... 3

Masters Program ........... 5

Collaborative Law .......... 6

CRC View ...................... 7

Around the Country ...... 9

Divorced MotherDrops OnlineParenting Request ........ 10

Chapter News .............. 11

Court Cases ................. 12

National Child’s Day ... 13

Book Nook .................. 14

Books, Videos,Buttons .................. 15–20

Equal Parents’ Week ... 21

Audio Cassettes ........... 22

Bills in Congress .......... 23

Letter to Editor ............ 24

Upcoming Events ........ 25

National AffiliateOrganizations andChapters ...................... 26

Contributors ................ 27

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Children’s Rights Council, Inc.300 “I” Street N.E., Suite 401, Washington, D.C. 20002-4389

Phone (202)547-6227 Fax (202) 546-4272 Websites: gocrc.com and info4parents.com Websites: gocrc.com and info4parents.com Websites: gocrc.com and info4parents.com Websites: gocrc.com and info4parents.com Websites: gocrc.com and info4parents.com

Continued on page 8

Country Music Embraces Children’s Rights Council

Spring 2001

Ernie and Bettye AshworthErnie is a member of the Grand Ole Opry; Ernie and Bettye

are new CRC Grandparent Spokespersons

Hadassah

The Children’s RightsCouncil has struck a chordwith Country Music. KMARecords of Nashville hasbrought together ErnieAshworth, a member of theGrand Ole Opry, and otherrising stars in the countrymusic field, to produce acompact disc (CD) entitled“Ernie Ashworth and FriendsSing Out for the Children’s Rights Council.”

On the CD, Ernie Ashworth sings his 1964number one hit single “Talk Back TremblingLips.” Hadassah Luther, 13, CRC’s first ever childspokesperson, sings “Hear the Cries of the Chil-dren.” This song is the first ever National ThemeSong for CRC, and everyone was moved whenHadassah (www.myhadassah.com) performed itat the CD release party.

There are only 72 members of the Grand OleOpry (www.opry.com). As Ernie Ashworth ex-plained at the CD release party in Nashville onMarch 18, Grand Ole Opry members get many re-quests to lend their name to projects “and we mustbe cautious.”

There are millions of country music fans aroundthe U.S. and abroad who love the tradition of coun-try music as performed by Ernie Ashworth(www.ErnieAshworth.com) and the other Oprymembers.

A while ago, three people who knew Mr.Ashworth asked him to support CRC. They wereJean Massengale, Keith Bradford, owner of KMARecords, and Steve Webb, owner of Country Mu-sic Webs.

Massengale, a songwriter and country artist man-ager, teamed up with Charlotte Bradford to writethe theme song, “Hear the Cries of the Children;”Bradford, owner of KMA Records, produced theCD album. Steve Webb works with David Courson,CRC Tennessee Coordinator, in developing theCRC Tennessee chapter.

Ernie Ashworth and his wife Bettye, who have4 children and 8 grandchildren, were moved afterhearing the trio talk glowingly of CRC. In additionto being involved in this album project, Ernie andBettye also accepted an invitation to become Grand-parent Spokespersons for CRC.

The country artists who sing on the CD paidtheir own expenses to come to Nashville from sixstates, to record the album and to join in the CDrelease party activities. They are Mark Rivers ofNorth Carolina, Sharon Brooks of Nebraska, Lori

Page 2 Speak Out For Children Spring 2001

“Speak Out for Children” is published by the Children’s Rights Council, Inc. Editor: David L. Levy.Contributors to this issue: Amy Carnright, Don Bieniewicz, Al Ellis, Julie Maggiacomo, Paul Robinson, DaveDavis, Harvey Walden, Ken Skilling, and college student interns Matthew Milone, Catholic University, andJennifer Remare, Stonehill College. Layout by Sheila Holzberger.

CRC is a member of

The CRCThe Children’s Rights Council

(CRC) is a nation-wide, non-profit IRS501(c)(3) children’s rights organizationbased in Washington, D.C.

MissionMissionMissionMissionMission• The Children’s Rights Council (CRC)

is a national, non-profit organizationcommitted to the loving, nurturing,protecting and education of childrenthrough both parents and extendedfamily.

• CRC is dedicated to helping childrenby promoting family formation,shared parenting, mediation, parenteducation, and mitigating the effectsof divorce and relationship breakupson children and parents.

VisionVisionVisionVisionVision• CRC’s vision is a society where both

parents play a significant parentingrole in their children’s lives. Childrenneed grandparents, step-parents and

others who are part of the familyfabric, working as a team.

• CRC envisions a society where laws,attitudes, and public opinion affirmthat for children, “The Best Parent is“The Best Parent is“The Best Parent is“The Best Parent is“The Best Parent isBoth Parents.”Both Parents.”Both Parents.”Both Parents.”Both Parents.”

Formed in 1985 by concerned par-ents who had more than 40 years collec-tive experience in custody reform andearly childhood education, CRC haschapters in 32 states and four nationalaffiliate organizations: Mothers WithoutCustody, (MW/OC), The StepfamilyAssociation of America (SAA), CO-MAMAS, and Parenting Coalition Inter-national, Inc.

Prominent professionals in the fieldsof religion, law, social work, psychology,child care, education, business, and gov-ernment comprise our Advisory Panel.

Material in this newsletter authoredby CRC may be reprinted without per-

mission, provided the source (“Re-printed from the Children’s RightsCouncil newsletter ‘Speak Out for Chil-dren,’ Spring 2001) is given. For non-CRC material, obtain permission fromthe copyright owner. For further infor-mation about CRC membership, publi-cations, cassettes, catalog, and services,write: CRC, 300 “I” Street N.E., Suite401, Washington, D.C. 20002; phone(202) 547-6227; fax (202) 546-4CRC(4272).

CRC has two websites:www.gocrc.comwww.gocrc.comwww.gocrc.comwww.gocrc.comwww.gocrc.com (our main CRC site) andwww.info4parents.com www.info4parents.com www.info4parents.com www.info4parents.com www.info4parents.com for expandedparenting information).

CRC’s email address:[email protected] Speak Out for Chil-dren is published four times a year andis sent free to members. Library rate:$20.00 a year. Send letters, commentsand articles for publication to Editor,CRC.

OFFICERS AND BOARDMEMBERSDavid L. Levy, David L. Levy, David L. Levy, David L. Levy, David L. Levy, Esq. PresidentJohn L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr., ChairmanSamuel A. Brunelli,Samuel A. Brunelli,Samuel A. Brunelli,Samuel A. Brunelli,Samuel A. Brunelli, CEOIngrid Bough-BellIngrid Bough-BellIngrid Bough-BellIngrid Bough-BellIngrid Bough-BellJohn L. Bauserman, Sr.John L. Bauserman, Sr.John L. Bauserman, Sr.John L. Bauserman, Sr.John L. Bauserman, Sr.Teresa L. Kaiser,Teresa L. Kaiser,Teresa L. Kaiser,Teresa L. Kaiser,Teresa L. Kaiser, J.D.Judge Richard A. WaldronJudge Richard A. WaldronJudge Richard A. WaldronJudge Richard A. WaldronJudge Richard A. Waldron (ret’d)Lee YarboroughLee YarboroughLee YarboroughLee YarboroughLee Yarborough

HONORARY PRESIDENTCatherine Meyer,Catherine Meyer,Catherine Meyer,Catherine Meyer,Catherine Meyer, author,wife of the BritishAmbassador to the U.S.

GENERAL COUNSELMichael L. OddeninoMichael L. OddeninoMichael L. OddeninoMichael L. OddeninoMichael L. OddeninoArcadia, California

DIR. OF CHILD ACCESSSERVICESAlfred EllisAlfred EllisAlfred EllisAlfred EllisAlfred Ellis

OFFICE MANAGERJulie MaggiacomoJulie MaggiacomoJulie MaggiacomoJulie MaggiacomoJulie Maggiacomo

CHILD SPOKESPERSON:Hadassah Luther, Hadassah Luther, Hadassah Luther, Hadassah Luther, Hadassah Luther, age 13

GRANDPARENTSPOKESPERSONS:Ernie Ashworth,Ernie Ashworth,Ernie Ashworth,Ernie Ashworth,Ernie Ashworth, Member, GrandOle Opry, and Bettye Ashworth

NATIONAL SPOKESPERSONS:Gerald A. Boarman, Gerald A. Boarman, Gerald A. Boarman, Gerald A. Boarman, Gerald A. Boarman, Ed.D.,Academic Education,Maryland and North Carolina

Judge Eugene N. HamiltonJudge Eugene N. HamiltonJudge Eugene N. HamiltonJudge Eugene N. HamiltonJudge Eugene N. Hamilton (ret’d),the Judiciary,Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Hickey,Elizabeth Hickey,Elizabeth Hickey,Elizabeth Hickey,Elizabeth Hickey, M.S.W.,Parenting Education,Salt Lake City, Utah

Jayne A. Major,Jayne A. Major,Jayne A. Major,Jayne A. Major,Jayne A. Major, Ph.D.,Breakthrough Parenting,Los Angeles

Dwight Twilley, Dwight Twilley, Dwight Twilley, Dwight Twilley, Dwight Twilley, Pop Singer/Author,Tulsa, OK

Wes Unseld, Wes Unseld, Wes Unseld, Wes Unseld, Wes Unseld, VP WashingtonWizards, Member, NBA Hall ofFame, Parenting Education,Washington, D.C.

Audrey Wise,Audrey Wise,Audrey Wise,Audrey Wise,Audrey Wise, Ed.D., M.A.,Family Counselor/Mediator,New York City

EVALUATORS OF RESEARCHJohn Guidubaldi, John Guidubaldi, John Guidubaldi, John Guidubaldi, John Guidubaldi, D.Ed.D. Richard KuhnD. Richard KuhnD. Richard KuhnD. Richard KuhnD. Richard Kuhn

FAMILY ADVISORY BOARDChairman,Clifton Alan Clark, Sr.Clifton Alan Clark, Sr.Clifton Alan Clark, Sr.Clifton Alan Clark, Sr.Clifton Alan Clark, Sr.former CRC Director ofDevelopment

ADVISORSRabbi Mendel Abrams,Rabbi Mendel Abrams,Rabbi Mendel Abrams,Rabbi Mendel Abrams,Rabbi Mendel Abrams, D.Min.Former President, Board of Rabbisof Greater Washington, DC

Eloise AndersonEloise AndersonEloise AndersonEloise AndersonEloise AndersonThe Claremont InstituteSacramento, California

David Birney, David Birney, David Birney, David Birney, David Birney, ActorSanta Monica, California

Hon. Sherwood BoehlertHon. Sherwood BoehlertHon. Sherwood BoehlertHon. Sherwood BoehlertHon. Sherwood BoehlertU.S. Congressman (R-NY)

Jim Cook,Jim Cook,Jim Cook,Jim Cook,Jim Cook, PresidentJoint Custody AssociationLos Angeles, California

“Dear Abby”“Dear Abby”“Dear Abby”“Dear Abby”“Dear Abby”(Abigail Van Buren)Los Angeles, California

Karen DeCrowKaren DeCrowKaren DeCrowKaren DeCrowKaren DeCrowFormer President of N.O.W.Jamesville, New York

Elliott H. DiamondElliott H. DiamondElliott H. DiamondElliott H. DiamondElliott H. DiamondCo-Founder, CRCReston, Virginia

Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Diller, ComedienneLos Angeles, California

Margorie Engel,Margorie Engel,Margorie Engel,Margorie Engel,Margorie Engel, PresidentStepfamily Association of America

Warren Farrell, Warren Farrell, Warren Farrell, Warren Farrell, Warren Farrell, Ph.D., Authorformer Member of the Board ofDirectors, New York City N.O.W.Leucadia, California

Larry Gaughan,Larry Gaughan,Larry Gaughan,Larry Gaughan,Larry Gaughan, ProfessionalDirectorFamily Mediation of GreaterWashington, D.C.

Jonathan M. Goodson, Jonathan M. Goodson, Jonathan M. Goodson, Jonathan M. Goodson, Jonathan M. Goodson, PresidentMark Goodson ProductionsLos Angeles, California

Hon. Bob GrahamHon. Bob GrahamHon. Bob GrahamHon. Bob GrahamHon. Bob GrahamU.S. Senator (D-FL)

Jennifer Isham, Jennifer Isham, Jennifer Isham, Jennifer Isham, Jennifer Isham, PresidentMothers Without Custody (MW/OC)Crystal Lake, Illinois

Joan B. Kelly, Joan B. Kelly, Joan B. Kelly, Joan B. Kelly, Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D.Vice-President, California DisputeResolution Institute, Corte Madera

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D.Author, PsychiatristScottsdale, Arizona

Vicki Lansky,Vicki Lansky,Vicki Lansky,Vicki Lansky,Vicki Lansky, Author/ColumnistDeephaven, Minnesota

James Levine, James Levine, James Levine, James Levine, James Levine, The FatherhoodProjectThe Family and Work InstituteNew York, New York

Hon. Debbie StabenowHon. Debbie StabenowHon. Debbie StabenowHon. Debbie StabenowHon. Debbie StabenowU.S. Senator(D-MI)

Hon. Fred ThompsonHon. Fred ThompsonHon. Fred ThompsonHon. Fred ThompsonHon. Fred ThompsonU.S. Senator (R-TN)

Spring 2001 Speak Out For Children Page 3

Excerpted from Family and Concili-ation Courts Review, Volume 18, No.3, July 2000, pp. 297-311, copyright 2000Sage Publications, Inc., by permission ofSage Publications, Inc.

CRC agrees with almost all of thestatements made in this important article.

With the historic focus on preserv-ing the mother-infant attachment whileestablishing an exclusive home, over-nights or extended visits with the otherparent (mostly the father) were long for-bidden or strongly discouraged byjudges, custody evaluators, therapists,mental health professionals, family lawattorneys, and, not surprisingly, by manymothers (e.g. Garrity & Baris, 1992;Goldstein, Freud, & Solnit, 1973;Goldstein, Freud, Solnit & Goldstein,1986). Hodges, 1991, for example,stated that for infants younger than 6months, “overnight visits are not likelyto be in the child’s best interest, becauseinfants’ eating and sleeping arrangementsshould be as stable as possible” (p.175).For infants 6 to 18 months or age, over-night visits “should be considered lessthan desirable” (p.170).

Although Hodges noted the impor-tance of several visits per week for olderinfants who were attached to their fa-thers, he recommended that these belimited to several hours. Hodges statedthat children might be able to spendovernights “without harm” only afterreaching 3 years of age (p.177).

Such unnecessarily restrictive andprescriptive guidelines were not basedon child development research and thusreflected an outdated view of parent-child relationships. Further, such recom-mendations did not take in to accountthe quality of father-child relationships,the nature of both parents’ involvement,or the child’s need to maintain andstrengthen relationships with both par-ents after separation (Lamb, Sternberg,

& Thompson, 1997).Research and experience with infant

day care, early preschool, and otherstable caretaking arrangements indicatethat infants and toddlers readily adaptto such transitions and also sleep well,once familiarized. Indeed, a child alsothrives socially, emotionally, andcognitively if the caretaking arrange-ments are predictable and if parents areboth sensitive to the child’s physical anddevelopmental needs and emotionallyavailable (Horner & Guyer, 1993;Lamb, 1998).

The evening and overnight periods(like extended days with nap times) withnonresidential parents are especiallyimportant psychologically not only forinfants but for toddlers and young chil-dren as well.

Evening and overnight periods pro-vide opportunities for crucial social in-teractions and nurturing activities, in-cluding bathing, soothing hurts andanxieties, bedtime rituals, comforting inthe middle of the night, and the reas-surance and security of snuggling in themorning after awakening, that 1-to 2-hour visits cannot provide. These ev-eryday activities promote and maintaintrust and confidence in the parentswhile deepening and strengtheningchild-parent attachments.

Absolutely no Evidence ofAbsolutely no Evidence ofAbsolutely no Evidence ofAbsolutely no Evidence ofAbsolutely no Evidence ofHarm to Children fromHarm to Children fromHarm to Children fromHarm to Children fromHarm to Children fromOvernights with OtherOvernights with OtherOvernights with OtherOvernights with OtherOvernights with Other

ParentParentParentParentParent

There is absolutely no evidence thatchildren’s psychological adjustment orthe relationships between children andtheir parents are harmed when childrenspend overnight periods with their otherparents. An often mis-cited study bySolomon (1997) reported high levels ofinsecure infant-mother and infant-fatherattachment when parents lived apart, al-

though toddlers who spent overnightswith both their fathers and mothers werenot significantly more likely to have in-secure relationships than those childrenwho did not have overnights visits withboth parents.

Indeed, as articulated above, thereis substantial evidence regarding thebenefits of these regular experiences.Aside from maintaining and deepeningattachments, overnights provide chil-dren with a diversity of social, emo-tional, and cognitively stimulating expe-riences that promote adaptability andhealthy development.

In addition, meaningful father-childrelationships may encourage fathers toremain involved in their children’s livesby making them feel enfranchised asparents.

Other advantages of overnights arethe normal combination of leisure and“real” time that extended parenting af-fords, the ability to stay abreast of theconstant and complex changes in thechild’s development, opportunities foreffective discipline and teaching that arecentral to good parenting, and opportu-nities to reconnect with the child in ameaningful way.

In contrast, brief, 2-hour visits re-mind infants that the visiting parents ex-ist but do not provide the broad array ofparenting activities that anchor the rela-tionships in their minds.

When mothers are breast-feeding,there is considerable hesitation, indeci-sion, and perhaps strong maternal resis-tance regarding extended overnight orfull-day separations. Breast-feeding isobviously one of the important contextsin which attachments are promoted, al-though it is by no means an essentialcontext. Indeed, there is no evidence thatbreast-fed babies form closer or moresecure relationships to their parents than

Extended Overnights by Infantswith the Other Parent Are O.K.by Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D., and Michael E. Lamb, Ph.D.

Continued on page 4

Research


Not Crucial that BothNot Crucial that BothNot Crucial that BothNot Crucial that BothNot Crucial that BothResidences be the SameResidences be the SameResidences be the SameResidences be the SameResidences be the Same

When there are overnights, it is notcrucial that two residential beds or envi-ronments be the same, as infants adaptquickly to these differences. It may bemore important that feeding and sleeproutines be similar in each householdto ensure stability. Thus, parents shouldshare information about bed times andrituals, night awakenings, food prefer-ences and feeding schedules, effectivepractices for soothing, illnesses, andchanges in routine as the child matures.

Parents should be encouraged by at-torneys or mediators to communicatedirectly, either verbally or in writing. Ifthis is not possible due to the intransi-gence of either or both parents, then thecourts should order the involvement ofco-parenting consultants, special mas-ters, or custody mediators until the nor-mal angers of divorce subside (Emery,1994, 1999; Kelly, 1991, 1994).

It is important as well to recognizethat protracted litigation and the specterof winning or losing delay the decline ofconflict (Maccoby & Mnookin, 1992),thus, such disputes should be resolvedwith speed. Furthermore, communica-tion quality should not be judged fromthe level of conflict surrounding andencouraged by the litigation.

The challenges of child-focusedcommunication require commitment onthe parents’ part to their children’s well-being but will have long-term positiveconsequences for children and for eachof the parent-child relationships. Al-though it is clear that a cooperative rela-tionship between parents is beneficial,parenting schedules that promote mean-ingful child-parent relationships shouldnot be restricted after separation if oneor both parents are not able to cooper-ate. Disengaged parents may functioneffectively in their parallel domains and,in so doing, enhance their children’sadjustment (Lamb et al., 1997; Maccoby& Mnookin, 1992; Whiteside, 1998).

Because high conflict is associatedwith poorer child outcomes followingdivorce (Johnston, 1994; Kelly, in press;

Maccoby & Mnookin, 1992), it is pref-erable that transitions be accomplishedwithout overt conflict. However, it isimportant to understand how high con-flict is conceptualized in the relevant re-search, as the findings are often misun-derstood. Almost by definition, ofcourse, custody and access disputes in-volve conflict, but it is clear that suchconflict in and of itself is not necessarilyharmful.

The high conflict found harmful byresearchers such as Johnston (1994) typi-cally involved repeated incidents of spou-sal violence and verbal aggression con-tinued at intense levels for extended pe-riods of time and often in front of thechildren. Johnston emphasized the im-portance of continued relationships withboth parents except in those relativelyuncommon circumstances in which in-tense, protracted conflict occurs.

High conflict at the time of transitionmay heighten children’s anxiety aboutseparation. Even without conflict, tran-sitions can cause unsettled behavior, fret-ting, and crying as children move fromone set of routines or one parental styleto another. As noted above, this is espe-cially true of children 15 to 24 monthsof age, when it is quite normal.

If High Conflict Exists,If High Conflict Exists,If High Conflict Exists,If High Conflict Exists,If High Conflict Exists,Children Can beChildren Can beChildren Can beChildren Can beChildren Can be

Exchanged at NeutralExchanged at NeutralExchanged at NeutralExchanged at NeutralExchanged at NeutralPlacesPlacesPlacesPlacesPlaces

If conflict is difficult to avoid becauseof one or both parents’ hostility, thentransitions should be implemented bybabysitters or should take place at neu-tral places such as day care centers, spe-cial visiting centers set up for this pur-pose, or supportive grandparents’homes.

Occasionally, mothers are very hos-tile to fathers after separation as part ofa legal strategy to prevent or diminishthe fathers’ participation in child rear-ing and co-parenting. In such instances,fathers should not be denied adequatecontact with their children because con-flict between the parents exists.

Similarly, when fathers berate moth-ers at transitions or refuse to communi-cate about the infants’ behaviors whenwith them, they will need to demonstrate

more cooperative attitudes to warrantmore extended contact.

It should be assumed that parentswould have somewhat differentparenting styles, which are related totheir own upbringing and personalities.Regardless of those differences, children(and parents) benefit from discussionsof disciplinary techniques and ap-proaches as well as about the achieve-ment of major developmental tasks suchas toilet training. Furthermore, childrenwill typically have different social expe-riences (and holiday rituals) with eachparent and with extended families andfriends.

Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D., is a clinical andresearch psychologist, assistant clinicalprofessor at the University of Californiaat San Francisco, and was previously di-rector of the Northern California Me-diation Center. She has published exten-sively in the area of divorce andchildren’s adjustment, custody and ac-cess, and custody and divorce mediation.She is an advisor to CRC.

Michael E. Lamb Ph.D., is head ofthe Section on Social and EmotionalDevelopment at the National Institute ofChild Health and Human Developmentin Maryland. He has published exten-sively in the child development literature,with a focus on parent-child relation-ships, nonparental child care, and foren-sic interview processes.

Extended OvernightsContinued from page 3

CRC NeedsCRC NeedsCRC NeedsCRC NeedsCRC Needs

✵ Free or reduced rent officespace. Get a tax write-off asyou help kids and CRC.2,000 square feet or moreanywhere in the Washing-ton, D.C. area (Maryland,D.C. or Virginia).

✵ Volunteers to help with fil-ing, phone calls, and writ-ing letters.

✵ Our chapters need com-puters and office space.

✵ Lawyers to write CRC Am-icus Briefs on appeal.


Kim Frey

Runs Program toEncourage ChildAccess between

Highly ConflictedParents

In New York, theoperative court case, Braiman v.Braiman (1978) states that if parents aresignificantly conflicted, they cannot sharecustody. It does not matter if a parent ispurposely sabotaging cooperation; suchbehavior destroys the opportunity forshared parenting, according to this case.

To counter this criticism, programshave been established to show that highlyconflicted parents can learn to cooper-ate in the upbringing of their child. Thekey is education.

Mr. Kim Boedecker-Frey, CRC Co-ordinator for New York State, has beenadministering a Special Master’s Pro-gram for highly conflicted parents for thepast two years. The program is con-ducted from a Child Access (visitation)grant provided by the New York StateChild Support Office, which overseesNew York’s portion of the federal ac-cess funds to the states. The grant pro-vided $32,000 for each of the past twoyears to run the program.

CRC is sorry to be losing KimBoedecker-Frey as CRC New York Statecoordinator. Kim has been a bulwark forchild advocacy in New York for the pastfive years, but he has long planned toleave to pursue educational goals.

Before his leaving, we asked Kim todescribe the New York program that hedeveloped. It is a model that can be usedin other states, to help children and fami-lies. Here is Kim’s description of theprogram.

Special Mediation ServiceSpecial Mediation ServiceSpecial Mediation ServiceSpecial Mediation ServiceSpecial Mediation Service

Special Masters programs exist inseveral states as a specialized mediationservice for parents who have a high level Continued on page 6

Special Masters Program Induces Cooperation byHighly Conflicted Parents

of conflict, and are chronic litigatorswhose children pay the price for thisconflict.

Special Masters staffing and proce-dures vary program to program. How-ever, they are generally supervised byjudges and have a high success rate.

If parents are unable or unwilling toutilize the Special Masters program, fam-ily courts will make a family law deci-sion unilaterally. The CRC New YorkState chapter has conducted this pro-gram in Broome and Tioga Counties,with the unique staff combination of ahighly skilled mediation and mental helpprofessional.

EducationEducationEducationEducationEducation

Because of the high conflict, the par-ents are usually seen separately, not to-gether. Each parent is asked about his/her agenda, receives education about thechild’s need for reduced level of conflictand a solid relationship with each par-ent, and is given feedback on the func-tional and dysfunctional aspects of his/her personality, style, and agenda items.

Parents are Encouraged toParents are Encouraged toParents are Encouraged toParents are Encouraged toParents are Encouraged tobe Flexible, Not “My Waybe Flexible, Not “My Waybe Flexible, Not “My Waybe Flexible, Not “My Waybe Flexible, Not “My Way

or the Highway”or the Highway”or the Highway”or the Highway”or the Highway”

Parents are encouraged to adopt aflexible position, rather than rely on arigid stance. One universal observationmade by the Special Masters is the lowlevel of problem solving skills many par-ents bring to the program. Much atten-tion is given to the introduction of solu-tion focused models of problem solving.Effort is made to have all parties “readfrom the same page.”

Time is given to clarifying what eachparent wants and reaching a consensusas to what parents can and cannot agreeto. It is common to find that because par-ents have been using attorneys or shout-ing at each other, they have not sharedtheir agendas with each other. When theyhear what each wants via the Special Mas-ters, they frequently find their goals are

not necessarily incompatible.

Case of Unseen PersonsCase of Unseen PersonsCase of Unseen PersonsCase of Unseen PersonsCase of Unseen Persons

Because conflict has been heavy andchronic prior to attending Special Mas-ters program, there is usually a cast ofunseen persons involved. When help-ful and strategically necessary, children,grandparents, attorneys, and law guard-ians become part of the process. Parentsare educated as to the nature of the legalsystem and how its characteristic of com-petitiveness is often hurtful to resolvingfamily conflicts.

Parenting PlanParenting PlanParenting PlanParenting PlanParenting Plan

An important feature of the programis to codify the parents’ agreement in theform of a “Parenting Plan” that can bereviewed by the parents’ attorneys andsubmitted to the Family Court to bemade a Stipulation and Order.

MonitoringMonitoringMonitoringMonitoringMonitoring

Equally important is the monitoringprovision of the program. Parents areencouraged to contact the Special Mas-ters if they believe any aspect of theirParenting Plan has been violated, re-quires clarification, or needs to be al-tered. Special Masters respond to re-quests for intervention quickly and of-fer accountability for parents who maybe making efforts to improve their be-havior. Effective means of communica-tion between parents is taught. However,because the Parenting Plans help estab-lish firm boundaries between the par-ents, the need for frequent communica-tion is reduced.

Solutions to Criticism ofSolutions to Criticism ofSolutions to Criticism ofSolutions to Criticism ofSolutions to Criticism ofMediationMediationMediationMediationMediation

Some women’s groups have criti-cized mediation, fearing that an aggres-sive ex partner might dominate the me-


diation process. In truth, gender is notthe issue in considering this concern.Any parent whose personality or style ischaracterized by passivity, lack ofassertiveness or reliance on others canfeel at a disadvantage.

Solutions for FamilySolutions for FamilySolutions for FamilySolutions for FamilySolutions for FamilyViolence ConcernsViolence ConcernsViolence ConcernsViolence ConcernsViolence Concerns

If the issue of family violence is raised,mediation is bypassed or suspended un-til the issue is addressed and dealt withby the courts. At that point, mediationmay or may not be pursued, dependingon the finding of the court as to the ap-propriateness of mediation. The state ofMaine has successfully dealt with thisproblem for more than 15 years. InMaine, mediation is mandated by statute.

Numerous studies show that childrendo best when they have the support andlove of both fit parents. New York’s tra-ditional approach of reliance on the “onesize fits all” problem solving system(Family Court) induces a parentectomy— the removal of a parent from a child’slife—should there be conflict.

In an era of complex social change,this “one size fits all” approach servesfew. New York needs to develop andmake available systematic, multipleproblem solving mechanisms that servefamilies.

(CRC Note: In a study of two juris-dictions in different parts of the countryconducted several years ago by the As-sociation of Family and ConciliationCourts (AFCC), it was found that me-diation could be successfully conductedin some cases involving family violence.That is, mediation was not precludedbecause there was family violence. Formore information, contact the AFCC inMadison, WI, at 608/664-3750.

Masters ProgramContinued from page 5

Collaborative Law—A Better WayCollaborative Law—A Better WayCollaborative Law—A Better WayCollaborative Law—A Better WayCollaborative Law—A Better Wayby Tom Gordon

Excerpted with permission from the Winter 2001 Legal Reformer, a news-letter published by HALT (Help Abolish Legal Tyranny). HALT is a non-profit legal reform group at 1612 K Street N.W., Suite 510, Washington, D.C.20005, phone 1-888-4-HALT, email; [email protected]

Nearly half of all marriages end up in divorce court. As anyone knows whohas been involved in a messy divorce case, traditional divorce court proceed-ings are drawn-out, expensive, and emotionally draining for all family mem-bers involved.

Compounding the problem are divorce lawyers who fight tooth and nail toget the biggest piece of the pie for their clients, no matter what the financial andhuman costs.

On the rare occasions when parties do settle a divorce case out of court, itis often in the shadow of a trial under conditions of considerable tension andanxiety. In a divorce with significant assets, the cost of the divorce can rangefrom $60,000 to $100,000.

Today there’s a better way to deal with irretrievably broken marriages. It’scalled Collaborative Law. Pioneered in California, collaborative law allows bothspouses to retain separate, specially trained lawyers whose job is to help themsettle the dispute without court intervention. Neither side may go to court oreven threaten to do so. If such an action or threat occurs, the process terminatesand both lawyers are disqualified from any further involvement in the case.

This year HALT will launch a national campaign to expand the availability ofcollaborative law. “We’re very excited about this promising innovation,” said HALTExecutive Director Jim Turner. “We will work with lawyers and consumers acrossthe country to make collaborative law the rule rather than the exception.”

The first collaborative law project was sponsored by the Superior Court inSan Francisco. As presiding Family Law Judge Donna J. Hitchens explains,the program has been a tremendous success. “It’s good for the courts, it’s goodfor the litigants, it’s good for their children, and it’s good for the community.This is a system that empowers people to resolve their own disputes, and to doit in a more creative and more lasting manner than has ever been achieved bycourt order.”

The parties to a divorce negotiated through the collaborative process havealso expressed satisfaction with the procedure and the results. Sherry Rasmussen,who recently hired a collaborative lawyer in Minnesota, said, “I’m getting thesupport I need to make sure I’m being taken care of, and it gives me the strengthto communicate what I need to my husband. Yet I’ll be able to compromise.”

HALT will study California’s successful collaborative law programs, as wellas the collaborative law practices currently in effect in several other states, in-cluding Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. It will try to expand col-laborative law programs in those states, as well as promote them in other states.

(CRC Thanks Maryland CRC Coordinator Harvey Walden for bringingthis to CRC’s attention).

Award Winning Program for SaleAward Winning Program for SaleAward Winning Program for SaleAward Winning Program for SaleAward Winning Program for Sale

Don Gorden, Ph.D. and JackArbuthnot, Ph.D. are retiring from theOhio University and selling their Cen-ter for Divorce Education. See adver-tisement elsewhere in this newsletter.

The Center’s video on parenting

education was so good, CRC gave it anActive Parenting Award several yearsago. The parenting video, which pro-motes shared parenting, is used in morethan 800 court systems in the U.S.

Don Gordon is retiring from teach-

ing to run his CD-ROM company,Family Works, in Ashland; Jack isretiring from teaching to become agentleman farmer raising highlandbeef on his farm outside Athens.


Important PhoneImportant PhoneImportant PhoneImportant PhoneImportant PhoneNumberNumberNumberNumberNumber

The phone number for theCongressional switchboard,which will reach all offices andcommittees, is (202) 225-3121.

CRC and our chaptersCRC and our chaptersCRC and our chaptersCRC and our chaptersCRC and our chaptersneed grant and proposalneed grant and proposalneed grant and proposalneed grant and proposalneed grant and proposal

writers.writers.writers.writers.writers.

The CRC Viewby David L. Levy, J.D.

President, CRC

Levy

Remember welfare reform? It wasintroduced by House Republicans andsigned into law by President Clintonin 1996. It was designed to end wel-fare entitlement, by setting strict timelimits on how long a parent could ob-tain welfare — usually a maximum offive years, and then you had to have ajob.

Welfare reauthorization is comingup in 2002, and so it is time to take alook at what welfare reform has accom-plished, and what’s left for it to do.

The Children’s Rights Council hasbeen interested in welfare reform be-cause we think the right kind of reformcould strengthen families through edu-cation and assistance to children ofseparation and divorce. CRC pub-lished an 8 page booklet in 1995 thatmade more than a dozen suggestionsfor reform, including encouragementof a work ethic. “Except for the smallnumber of people who are genuinelyunable to make any contribution totheir own needs, welfare must be asupplement, not a substitute, forwork,” said CRC.

We argued for more two-parentinvolvement in federal programs, andcare of children by kin. We asked thatwelfare workers be required to look toa capable and willing family memberas a care provider for children livingon the welfare dole. We said familymembers providing child care wouldconstitute a positive step toward break-ing the cycle of dependency and re-ducing the economic burden of pro-viding benefits when family care isavailable.

For example, a brother might beable to care for a child of a drug abuserwith or without a change of custody/

guardianship, or the father of a childmight be willing to provide child carewith or without a change of custody whilethe mother works, or grandparents mightbe willing to care for their grandchildwhile the adolescent mother completesschool or works.

Expansion of the access (visitation)grants is one inexpensive way tostrengthen 2-parent contact and providemore resources for the child.

Access Grants WereAccess Grants WereAccess Grants WereAccess Grants WereAccess Grants WerePart of WelfarePart of WelfarePart of WelfarePart of WelfarePart of Welfare

ReformReformReformReformReform

The Welfare Reform law provides$10 million a year for all 50 states andterritories to share in encouraging con-tact between a child and his/her non-custodial parent. The average state re-ceives about $185,000 a year. We arenow in the fourth year of funding for thatchild access program. At $10 million ayear, 4 years add up to a nice tidy sumof $40 million dollars. This is the largestfederal government program that hasever existed to encourage child and non-custodial parent contact. States havebeen using the $40 million to providemediation (both mandatory and volun-tary), counseling of parents, parentingeducation, parenting plans, and neutraldrop-off and pick-up of children centersand supervised visitation centers. CRCrecommends an increase in funding forthese programs as a part of welfare re-authorization.

Some states have worked with non-profit organizations like CRC or othercommunity-based organizations to carryout these programs. Other states havegiven all their money to the courts or to

state-run programs.CRC has been working with the

faith-based community, because all ofour “Safe Haven” sites for children arelocated in church day care centers.We are increasingly involvingchurches and synagogues in the run-ning of portions of the programs, whileCRC provides over-all management.

The states which do the best jobof accomplishing the goals of welfarereform qualify for extra federal bo-nuses worth up to $100 million a year.But CRC has concluded that moststates do not know how to encouragefamily formation and family preserva-tion. More of us need to contact ourstate officials to offer programs thatwill accomplish those goals. States canobtain extra bonuses, and we can havestronger families.

Note: Send for the CRC WelfareReform booklet. Free to members;non-members, send $5 for S/H.

Welfare Reform Can Strengthen Families


New CDContinued from page 1

Alan of Georgia, Darren Rhodes ofAlabama, and Haddassh of New York.Keith Bradford (singer as well as ownerof KMA Records), Anna Prince, AllieE., Vicki Leigh and Charlotte Bradford,are from various parts of Tennessee.

CD Release Party inCD Release Party inCD Release Party inCD Release Party inCD Release Party inNashville Was aNashville Was aNashville Was aNashville Was aNashville Was aTerrific EventTerrific EventTerrific EventTerrific EventTerrific Event

“The CD release party in Nashvillewas much bigger than I expected,” saidOhio CRC Coordinator MargaretWuwert. “More than 200 artists, theirfamilies, and supporters showed up.This was a terrific event.”

Harvey Walden, Maryland CRCcoordinator, who also attended, said,“This is a highly professional CD thatKMA records has produced.”

David Courson, CRC coordinator ofTennessee, said he was “impressed” withthe professionalism of the country mu-sic artists.

CRC President David L. Levy alsoattended the Nashville release of the CD,and said, “We are delighted that coun-try music artists have decided to supportchildren and CRC.”

Jean Massengale especially had beenworking hard behind the scenes to bringartists together for about 12 months, butdid not tell the national CRC office abouther plans until the idea was a reality.

“If I had told anyone what I was try-ing to do, they would have thought I wascrazy,” said Massengale, whose friendscall her “Sarge.”

Massengale got involved with CRCin 1994, “when the late, great SonnyBurmeister, CRC Georgia coordinator,helped me in the process of gaining cus-tody of my grandchild, when the parentswere unable to take care of their chil-dren,” she said. After going through theillness and death of her husband, shedecided to help CRC.

CRC thanks: Keith Bradford’sbrother Michael, the engineer of the CDalbum; Keith Bilbry and Alan Dennis ofWSB650 radio; Bill Bailey; Carole Hall;Kriste Barfield; guest artist David

Carlson; Jimmy and Lorraine Smart ofNashville Video Showcase; Charlie Rayof the International Country Music As-sociation; Anna Prince and her daugh-ter Sandy; Jason Hawkins and JenniferFox of Airplay International; and DanWunsch of the Nashville Music Guide.

Anna Prince hosts a communitynews TV show “Real Heroes of Coun-try Music” and is in development of theshow “Future Heroes of Country Mu-sic” on Nashville’s CATV Channel 19.Anna interviewed Keith Bradford,Hadassah, Courson and Levy on March17 on the “Real Heroes of Country Mu-sic” TV show. It aired multiple times onCATV channel 19 the following week.

WSM650, the national Grand OleOpry Radio station (www.650wsm.com)also interviewed Bradford, Hadassahand Levy as well, and Alan Dennis re-played the interview multiple times overthe weekend.

Airplay International’s JasonHawkins and Jennifer Fox presented

Country Music Artistswho appear on the CRC

CD “Ernie Ashworth andFriends Speak Out for the

Children’s RightsCouncil”

Front row (l to r): SharonBrooks, Hadassah, Anna

Prince; Rear: DarrenRhodes, Marc Smith, Lori

Alan, Ernie Ashworth, VickiLeigh, Charlotte Bradford,

Allie C. and Keith Bradford.

their “Humanitarian Award” to KeithBradford and Jean Massengale in anemotional ceremony at the CD releaseparty.

KMA Records and Country MusicWebs arranged for a full page ad in theNashville Music Guide for ErnieAshworth and Friends, and will have lim-ited supplies of copies at the CRC con-ference.

Individual copies of the CD may beordered online at www.gocrc.com, or bywriting to the national CRC office at 300“I” Street N.E., Suite 401, Washington,D.C. 20002. The price is $12 per CD,including S/H.

Bulk orders of 6 or more CD’s are$10 per CD, including S/H.

KMA Records can be reached at 256East Old Hickory Kitty Wells Blvd,Madison, TN 37115, phone (615) 612-3899, or at www.KMArecords.com Ad-ditional information can be obtained atwww.TNcrc.com for CRC chapters, orby sending email to [email protected]

The front and back of the new CD.


Around the Country

Wade Horn AppointedWade Horn AppointedWade Horn AppointedWade Horn AppointedWade Horn Appointedto a Top HHS Jobto a Top HHS Jobto a Top HHS Jobto a Top HHS Jobto a Top HHS Job

ington, D.C.’s two daily newspapers.At each of NFI’s national confer-

ences the past few years, there have beenspeakers on divorce and custody issues.CRC President David L. Levy and law-yer Jeffery Leving spoke in 2000, andpsychologist Dick Mikesell is speakingin 2001.

NFI received a special Congressionalappropriation of $3.5 million at the endof the Congressional session in Decem-ber, 2000 for a nationwide media cam-paign to promote fatherhood.

States Urged to ModifyStates Urged to ModifyStates Urged to ModifyStates Urged to ModifyStates Urged to ModifyNew Uniform ChildNew Uniform ChildNew Uniform ChildNew Uniform ChildNew Uniform Child

Custody Jurisdiction andCustody Jurisdiction andCustody Jurisdiction andCustody Jurisdiction andCustody Jurisdiction andEnforcement ActEnforcement ActEnforcement ActEnforcement ActEnforcement Act

(UCCJEA)(UCCJEA)(UCCJEA)(UCCJEA)(UCCJEA)

[Compiled from The National Confer-ence of Commissioners on UniformState Laws website and from recommen-dations from Richard Crouch, Esq.,Editor, Virginia State Bar Family LawSection Newsletter.]

A proposal to revise the 1968 Uni-form Child Custody Jurisdiction Act wascompleted in 1997 by the Uniform LawCommissioners. The intent of the Actis to bring every state into compliancewith the federal Parental KidnappingPrevention Act. The act is intended tolimit child custody jurisdiction to onestate, and provides enforcement provi-sions for child custody orders.

Several states have already adoptedthe Act: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Ar-kansas, California, Colorado, Connecti-cut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Iowa,Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana,North Carolina, North Dakota, Okla-homa, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,Virginia, and West Virginia.

2001 introductions include: Florida,Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, andMaryland.

Overall, CRC strongly supports en-acting the UCCJEA. However, we sug-gest that states adopt the bill with thefollowing changes. All of these sugges-tions would preserve existing UCCJA

and PKPA language by omitting somechanges and exceptions that theUCCJEA makes.

• (UCCJEA Section 102 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/102.html> )DEFINITIONS. “Abandoned”definition (Subsection 4) shouldbe omitted. It is unnaturallyoverbroad. Present Act uses theterm without a special definition,and that has worked perfectly.Used in applying the extremelybroad “emergency” exception toall of the Act’s other jurisdictionlimitations.

• (UCCJEA SECTION 202 <http://patriot.net/~crouch/uccjea/202.html> )EXCLUSIVE CONTINUINGJURISDICTION. OmitSubsection (A)(1). Makes statutefearsomely and unnecessarilycomplex, for no supportablereason, works against overall intentof UCCJA and PKPA todiscourage child snatching throughclear, objective rules. Defeatssupposed intent to conformUCCJA to PKPA.

• (UCCJEA Section 204 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/204.html> )Emergency Jurisdiction. Verygood overall, but wording needscare to avoid unintended results.

• (UCCJEA Section 209 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/209.html> ) Proposal oninformation required to besubmitted with every initialpleading. The draftingCommissioners bracketed thislanguage to show that it was notnecessarily recommended.Because it allows an interstateabductor of children to keep thechild’s location and abductionhistory secret, and rewrites aconcept that has worked well in thepast, care must be taken withlanguage. The present

Continued on page 10

Wade HornWill Oversee

Child Support

Horn

Wade F. Horn, Ph.D. has beennominated by President Bush to be as-sistant secretary of Health and HumanServices for Family Support. Horn, whois well known in Washington as a formerHHS official for President Bush’s father,and president of the National Father-hood Initiative (NFI) since 1996, willtake office as soon as his appointment isconfirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Tommy Thompson is secretary ofHHS, and under him is a Deputy Sec-retary, below which are several assistantsecretaries, one of whom would beWade Horn.

As assistant secretary of HHS forFamily Support, Horn would have juris-diction over the Administration for Chil-dren, Youth and Families (his former po-sition under former President Bush). Hewould also be in charge of the Office ofChild Support Enforcement, low incomehousing energy assistance program, andthe administration on Native Americans.The Commissioner of Child Supporthas not been named. Judge David GrayRoss held that post during the Clintonyears.

The mission of the National Father-hood Initiative is “to improve thewellbeing of children by increasing thenumber of children growing up with in-volved, committed and responsible fa-thers in their lives.”

Horn was a member of the U.S.Advisory Committee on Head Start Re-search and Evaluation within HHS from1989 to 1993. He is the author of nu-merous journals, articles and severalbooks, and writes a weekly column forThe Washington Times, one of Wash-


unnecessarily broad and vaguewording works against the overallintent of UCCJA and PKPA todiscourage child snatching.Legitimate ends can be served withtighter language.

• (UCCJEA Section 305 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/305.html> )REGISTRATION. Presentsystem is easy and economical.New one is just the opposite, andconfuses enforcement procedureswith subject-matter jurisdictiondecisions.

• (UCCJEA Section 110 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/110.html> )C O M M U N I C A T I O NBETWEEN JUDGES.Mandatory judge-to-judgecommunication is a key part of theUCCJA/PKPA system, deals withsubstance of jurisdiction decisionsefficiently.

• (UCCJEA Section 108 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/108.html> ) METHODS OFNOTICE. The language ofUCCJA, º 20-108(A)(2a) states:“Notice may also be by certifiedor registered mail, return receiptrequested, addressed to theperson to be served. The new Actattempts to defer to localprocedures, but inadvertentlyrepeals procedures currently inuse.

• (UCCJEA Section 106 <http://patr iot .net/~crouch/uccjea/106.html> ) BINDING FORCEOF A CUSTODY DECISION.This says a custody decree of anystate which properly hadjurisdiction will remain binding --until modified. This would be fineif it just said until modified by acourt properly having jurisdiction,under the standards of this statute,which is what the UCCJA says.

Around the CountryContinued from page 9 Divorced Mother Drops Online

Parenting Requestby Leslie Brody, Staff Writer

Copyright 2001 North Jersey Media Group, Inc.Reproduced with permission.

A divorced Midland Park mother who sought court permission to moveto California and proposed using the Internet to bolster communication be-tween her daughter and ex-husband has decided to stay here after all.

The father had fought the long-distance move, and the two parents re-solved their dispute last month before facing another trial. Attorney CharlesRyan, who represented the mother, Kyron Henn-Lee, said that she found anew computer job in New Jersey and then dropped her request to relocatewith her 9-year-old daughter.

The litigation attracted a flurry of media attention in January, when anAppellate Division panel praised Henn-Lee’s “creative” suggestion: a Website and camera system that would let her daughter have daily “face-to-face”conversations with her father online, along with in-person visits during vaca-tions. The panel told a Bergen County judge to reconsider the case and try tofashion a visitation schedule that would let the mother and daughter move.

Parenting groups expressed dismay at the prospect that the courts mightstart to consider “virtual visitation” to be anything akin to real parenting time.Some therapists said some children might enjoy such electronic contact as anaddition to in-person visits, but it should not be considered a replacement.

Henn -Lee said she wanted to move to pursue a better-paying job withflexible hours in California, but the opportunity she found here made thisunnecessary, her lawyer said. She plans to use a Web-camera hookup her-self, however, for communicating with her daughter when she travels forbusiness.

(CRC note: CRC President David L. Levy was quoted in a national Asso-ciated Press story and appeared on CBS Evening Weekend News in Januarystating that technology, such as mail, phone and websites should be used toassist with contact, but they cannot take the place of a child’s actual timespent with a parent. We are delighted with the outcome, because it demon-strates that a parent can usually find a job close to where the other parentlives if he/she tries hard enough. Even if the job doesn’t pay as much as onelikes, the loss of a child’s close contact with a parent is a far more expensiveprice to pay. Both mothers and fathers should stay in the same geographicarea as the other parent).

Change of AddressChange of AddressChange of AddressChange of AddressChange of Address

To keep newsletters and othermaterials coming, please notifyCRC three weeks in advance ofany address change. Send oldand new addresses to CRC, 300“I” Street N.E., Suite 401,Washington, DC 20002.

Beat the Tax Man:Beat the Tax Man:Beat the Tax Man:Beat the Tax Man:Beat the Tax Man:Contribute to CRCContribute to CRCContribute to CRCContribute to CRCContribute to CRC

Keep working for children. If youwish to consider leaving a bequestor property to CRC, please statethe following in your will: “Ihereby leave the following to theChildren’s Rights Council:___(state your bequest)___.”


David Dinn CoordinatorDavid Dinn CoordinatorDavid Dinn CoordinatorDavid Dinn CoordinatorDavid Dinn CoordinatorEmeritus for IndianaEmeritus for IndianaEmeritus for IndianaEmeritus for IndianaEmeritus for Indiana

D a v i dDinn, longtimeCRC coordina-tor for Indiana,has becomeCoord ina torE m e r i t u s .David was ac-tive in custodyreform in Indi-

ana starting in 1983, before CRC beganin 1985. David led his organization, Par-ents and Children Equality, into CRCas a chapter in 1992. He organized sub-groups and held meetings in 5 differentIndiana counties. Now, he continues toprovide consultation to groups in Indi-ana and to national CRC.

Dinn was instrumental in creating theIndiana Custody and Child SupportCommittee, of which he was a chartermember. The Committee, a part of thestate legislature, recommended severalchanges which became part of Indianalaw, including making it a criminal vio-lation to deny visitation. It has beennearly impossible to get prosecutors toenforce the law, but there has been somesuccess when prosecutors have sent aletter to the custodial parent informingthem of the law. “We have had a num-ber of parents thank us on behalf ofthemselves and their children becausethey were able to see their children as aresult of the letters sent to the custodialparents from the prosecutors,” saidDinn.

“I enjoyed the continuing friendshipsthat have developed from my work inCRC. I urge other individuals to partici-pate in the 2-parent movement, becausein the long run, it is extremely reward-ing,” said Dinn.

Dinn was one of the first individualsto receive funding for work on custodyreform issues — a grant from the Eli LillyEndowment, one of the largest founda-tions in the country.

David has seen both sides of theaisle, as both a custodial and noncusto-

dial parent. He said Bev Musseter hasbeen an excellent stepmother to theDinn children, David, Katie, andRobbie.

“David Dinn has provided continu-ing and earnest leadership in the move-ment to provide children with two par-ents whenever possible,” said Levy. “Wethank him.”

Bob Monday New IndianaBob Monday New IndianaBob Monday New IndianaBob Monday New IndianaBob Monday New IndianaCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinator

Bob Monday isthe new CRC Coor-dinator for Indiana.Monday is a long-time advocate forthe 2-parent family.“He is so welltrusted that he sitson the DomesticRelations Commit-

tee meetings of the Indiana JudiciaryCenter, which consists of 13 judges whodevelop financial and parenting guide-lines,” said David Dinn, CoordinatorEmeritus for Indiana.

“I just started going to the courthouse and hanging around, until they gotto know me,” said Monday.

A provision recommended by theCouncil, which went into effect onMarch 31, states that there shall be fre-quent and continuing contact betweenchildren and their parents. “For the firsttime, this is a rebuttable presumption forshared parenting in Indiana, and it is astatewide policy,” said Monday.

James Welty OpensJames Welty OpensJames Welty OpensJames Welty OpensJames Welty OpensFirst-Ever NortheastFirst-Ever NortheastFirst-Ever NortheastFirst-Ever NortheastFirst-Ever Northeast

Ohio ChapterOhio ChapterOhio ChapterOhio ChapterOhio Chapter

James Weltyhas formed a newCRC chapter inNorthwest Ohio,the first ever in thatpart of Ohio. Jim isa corporate flyer ofturboprops and cor-porate jets, and is a

Dinn (r) and Musseter

Chapter News

Monday

freelance flight instructor, usually out ofCuyahoga County (Cleveland) airport.He has suffered frequent denials of ac-cess to his daughter, Riley, age 2. Thechapter is assisted by Bob Moline, whohas helped publicize their work, JillKoman, a non-custodial mother who hasobtained meeting space at her local Pres-byterian church, and Leah Turri, whowrites a guest column for the Star-Bea-con in Ashtabula, OH. The new chap-ter plans to develop a website and place“disruptive, but positive” billboard signs.

Marlin Pierce OpensMarlin Pierce OpensMarlin Pierce OpensMarlin Pierce OpensMarlin Pierce OpensFirst-Ever Albany ChapterFirst-Ever Albany ChapterFirst-Ever Albany ChapterFirst-Ever Albany ChapterFirst-Ever Albany Chapter

Marlin Pierce,who has been work-ing for custody re-form for 17 years,primarily as an activ-ist in the FathersRights Association ofNew York State, hasformed a CRC chap-ter in the Albany area

of New York. This is the first-ever CRCchapter in the New York State capital.

“In New York State, we need manychanges in divorce law,” said Pierce.“The divorce legal process is devastat-ing on the lives of every person involved,the mother, the father, and, of coursethe children. In New York State we havevery little joint custody, and only a to-ken mediation program. Because we donot have mandatory mediation, fewpeople complete their divorce with themediation process. This must change.”

Marlin has 2 children, Jody and Ja-son.

Nancy Rexford, a computer pro-grammer, is among the chapter advisors.

Welty

Pierce

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

Family Psychology ForensicEvaluation Service (Specializing inCustody Evaluations)

Contact: S. Richard Sauber,Ph.D., ABPP, 561/750-9200



Court Cases

Parents cannot decide on their ownto reduce child support payments whentheir children reach age 18, but mustreturn to court to obtain a change in thechild support order, a Virginia Courtruled Feb. 27, 2001.

The American Fathers Coalition saysthe decision provides lawyers with moremoney and judges with too much intru-sive power.

“It’s the Lawyers Full EmploymentAct,” said Stuart Miller, director of theAmerican Fathers Coalition.

“It has scared everyone,” saidMurray Steinberg, president of the Fam-ily Resolution Council in Richmond.“They really opened a big Pandora’sbox...It’s not a public policy. It’s a courtpolicy.”

Two of the three judges of VirginiaCourt of Appeals said Francis E. Shoupof Fairfax was in contempt of court andwould have to pay $33,838 in back childsupport to his ex-wife, Heidi Shoup.

Mr. Shoup had argued that their 1994divorce decree allowed him to reducechild support payments by one third aseach of their three daughters graduatedfrom high school or turned 18.

He reduced his $2,177 monthly pay-ment to one-third and then by two-thirdsafter their first two children turned 18and graduated in 1995 and 1997.

Mrs. Shoup, who did not initiallyobject to the reduction, returned to courtin 1999. Fairfax County Circuit JudgeKathleen H. McKay ruled in her favorand found Mr. Shoup in contempt.

That ruling was upheld by two of thethree appellate judges. “The jurisdictionto make and modify child supportawards is the courts,” wrote AppealsJudge Rosemarie Annunziata, who wasjoined by Chief Judge JohannaFitzpatrick.

“The court must approve modifica-tion to the amount of support at the time

the modification is made,” JudgeAnnunziata wrote.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge JamesW. Benton Jr. said the ruling under-mines a previous policy that encouragesex-spouses to work out their differencesvoluntarily. The ruling, he said, gave di-vorced parents no choice but to returnto court.

“If people have to keep going back,all the money that should be spent onfamilies will go to lawyers,” said Mr.Shoup’s attorney, Betty A. Thompsonof Arlington. “How does that help thechildren?”

Mrs. Thompson, who has special-ized in divorce cases the last 20 years,has filed for a rehearing before the fullfive-member Court of Appeals. The nextappeal would be to Virginia’s SupremeCourt.

“It is too early to make judgment”said Paul Fletcher, a Richmond lawyerand publisher of Virginia’s LawyersWeekly, adding that the rehearing mightresolve the case.

“These self-executing support agree-ments were really quite common. Peoplefelt like it was a normal divorce theycould use with kids coming of age in acouple of years,” Mr. Fletcher said.

“The impact that could affect thou-sands of divorced persons is just begin-ning to trickle out across the states,” Mr.Fletcher said. “The lawyers are quiteconcerned.”

CRC note: This may have been afamily order, that is, an order that con-tains one set amount for all children inthe order, but doesn’t break out howmuch is owed for each child. Therefore,it is not clear that as each child is eman-cipated, the parents or the court contem-plate a one third reduction as each childis emancipated. The parents or the courtwould have to clearly state this and con-

sider the age of the children. Theyshould also consider continuing childsupport until the child completes highschool.

We have heard of this problem inother states, e.g., CRC Maryland coordi-nator Harvey Walden was required to filea modification request in court to end thechild support transfer to his daughter’smother when the daughter reached age18, and had finished high school.

Query: Even if there was no agree-ment between the parents, shouldn’t theparents be allowed to follow state law,and terminate support transfer when thechild reaches majority?

CRC believes parents should supportCRC believes parents should supportCRC believes parents should supportCRC believes parents should supportCRC believes parents should supporttheir children through college or othertheir children through college or othertheir children through college or othertheir children through college or othertheir children through college or otherpost-high school education and training,post-high school education and training,post-high school education and training,post-high school education and training,post-high school education and training,but believes the best way to encouragebut believes the best way to encouragebut believes the best way to encouragebut believes the best way to encouragebut believes the best way to encouragethat is to have involved both parents inthat is to have involved both parents inthat is to have involved both parents inthat is to have involved both parents inthat is to have involved both parents inthe raising of the child. Involved parentsthe raising of the child. Involved parentsthe raising of the child. Involved parentsthe raising of the child. Involved parentsthe raising of the child. Involved parentsare paying parents.are paying parents.are paying parents.are paying parents.are paying parents.

Parents Cannot Modify Support Agreementsas Children Come of Age

from an article by Arlo Wagner, the Washington Times, March 27, 2001

Parental Relocation andParental Relocation andParental Relocation andParental Relocation andParental Relocation andALI Standards for JointALI Standards for JointALI Standards for JointALI Standards for JointALI Standards for Joint

CustodyCustodyCustodyCustodyCustody

A trial court did not err in changing ajoint custody award to sole custody forthe father, after the mother relocated out-of-state, the Vermont Supreme Courtdecided October 20, 2000. Among thefactors in the decision were the amountof time the father spent caring for thechildren and the breakdown in the par-ties’ ability to coparent them. Dissentersfrom the decision relied on relocationstandards prepared by the American LawInstitute, but the court said that applyingthe ALI standards for joint custody wouldhave produced the same result

[Hoover (Letourneau) v. Hoover,Vt., No. 99-084, 10/20/00]


payments made to the mother during therelevant period, and would pay themother $100,000. However, the govern-ment contended that the restitution ele-ment was a separate issue from thepurely punitive elements of the Act.

The District Court held that the al-leged justification for the Act, the powerof Congress to regulate interstate com-merce, was not persuasive. The Act ex-ceeded the permissible limits ofCongress’s Commerce Clause power,the court said, and it granted the obligor’smotion to dismiss the indictment.

[United States v. King, S.D.N.Y., No.S1 00 Cr. 653 (RWS), 2/8/01]

Child Support Paid byChild Support Paid byChild Support Paid byChild Support Paid byChild Support Paid byNon-FatherNon-FatherNon-FatherNon-FatherNon-Father

A juvenile court cannot order the stateof Tennessee to repay a man the supporthe paid as reimbursement for a child’swelfare benefits, despite the fact that he

Parental Relocation inParental Relocation inParental Relocation inParental Relocation inParental Relocation inJoint Custody SituationJoint Custody SituationJoint Custody SituationJoint Custody SituationJoint Custody Situation

A parent who wishes to modify a jointcustody arrangement in order to relo-cate with his or her child is subject tothe same standard that applies whendeciding a relocation petition filed by aparent with sole custody, the NebraskaSupreme Court ruled December 22,2000. On the basis of this principle, theSupreme Court denied a mother’s re-quest to relocate to New York. The di-vorced couple in the case before thecourt had shared joint legal and physicalcustody of their two young children un-til 1998, when the father requested cus-tody, alleging that the mother’s lifestylewas inappropriate.

The mother filed a cross-petition forsole custody and for leave to relocatewith the children. The mother said thatshe had secured employment in NewYork, and that her income would in-crease with the new job. The judge inthe lower court ruled that it was not inthe children’s best interest to set asidethe joint custody arrangement. Thechildren’s quality of life would not beimproved in New York, and their bestinterests did not favor such a move, thelower court found.

[Brown (Morales) v. Brown, Neb.,No. S-99-144, 12/22/00]

Child Support RecoveryChild Support RecoveryChild Support RecoveryChild Support RecoveryChild Support RecoveryAct Held UnconstitutionalAct Held UnconstitutionalAct Held UnconstitutionalAct Held UnconstitutionalAct Held Unconstitutional

Congress’s power under the Com-merce Clause of the U.S. Constitutiondid not warrant its enactment of theChild Support Recovery Act, the U.S.District Court for the Southern Districtof New York held Feb. 8. The Act madeit a federal crime punishable by up totwo years’ imprisonment to fail to pay achild support obligation pursuant to astate judicial or administrative order,whenever the defendant and the childlive in different states.

The case before the court arose outof the indictment of a Texas man forfailing to make support payment for hisdaughter, who lives with her mother inNew York. A settlement had been ne-gotiated under which the man wouldrepay the City of New York for welfare

National Child’s DayNational Child’s DayNational Child’s DayNational Child’s DayNational Child’s Day

By the time you receive this newsletter, the U.S. Senate should have passed aresolution designating the first Sunday in June as “National Child’s Day.” Thisyear, National Child’s Day falls on June 3.

The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world that does not have a dayespecially set aside for children, in the way that Mother’s Day and Father’sDay are designated days.

This is the third year in a row that the Senate will have passed a Child’sDay Resolution. We hope that President Bush will use the Resolution as abasis for declaring a permanent observance of “National Child’s Day.”

We ask CRC members to hold observances, barbecues, church socials,and other events to celebrate Children’s Day this year on June 3. Send usphotographs of the children and adults who are participating in the event. Wewill publish some of the photos in future issues of the CRC newsletter.

CRC and a group called FOCUS in Miami, Florida, headed by child activ-ist Lee Rechter, are working to promote children’s day activities.

CRC Wants Chapters in Every StateCRC Wants Chapters in Every StateCRC Wants Chapters in Every StateCRC Wants Chapters in Every StateCRC Wants Chapters in Every State

CRC wants chapters in every state! Go CRC!For development of chapters in states that do not yet have any CRC chap-

ters, contact Margaret Wuwert, CRC Coordinator for Ohio, who is helpingCRC with chapter development. Contact Margaret at 2745 Sagamore Road,Toledo, Ohio 43606, phone 419/473-8955.

If your state already has a chapter, call the State Coordinator in the chapterheads listing in this letter; or call the national CRC office at 202-547-6227.

Join CRC, then ask for a copy of the 100 page CRC booklet that explainseverything you need to know about affiliation. The cost of the booklet is $12.

later discovered that the child was not his,the Tennessee Court of Appeals heldFebruary 16. The Court of Appeals saidjuvenile courts did not have jurisdictionto award money judgements against thestate in such situations. The man involvedhad been married to the mother, andmistakenly thought that the child was his.After the divorce, tests showed that theman was not his father, and the mansought an end to his support obligation,which had been in effect for three years.The appeals court ruled that he was en-titled to prospective relief from the obli-gation, but it refused to order the state torepay him for all support paid.

[White v. State ex rel. Armstrong,Tenn. Ct. App., No. M1999-00713-COA-R3-CV, 2\16\01]

The above cases are summarizedfrom Family Law Reporter, published byThe Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.They appear here by permission of thepublisher.

▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼


Breaking Apart — ABreaking Apart — ABreaking Apart — ABreaking Apart — ABreaking Apart — AMemoir of DivorceMemoir of DivorceMemoir of DivorceMemoir of DivorceMemoir of Divorceby Wendy Swallow. 292 pages,hardback, $24.00. Published by

Hyperion, New York.

This book, an excerpt ofwhich is due to appear inthe May Reader’s Digest,stems from an article ap-pearing in WashingtonianMagazine several yearsago. She originallythought sole custodywould be best for her

children, but when her ex-husband in-sisted on joint custody, she finally agreed,and “I have learned over time that it hasbeen the best way to raise our boys.”

She told CRC, “I think every childhas a relationship with both their par-ents, however challenging that may be.There should be a presumption for jointlegal and physical custody in every state.

That is what I have learned from co-parenting with my former husband forthe past 9 years.”

Wendy and her ex-husband’s twoboys are now 12 and 13, and she says“they are wonderfully adjusted kids.”

In the book, Wendy Swallow, writ-ing in a style that is both piercingly hon-est and profoundly moving, traces thearc of her marriage to a complex manten years her senior.

She looks into her own heart and ather childhood and young adulthood asa way of understanding the relationshipand its ultimate breakdown. She also ex-amines her struggle to balance her bur-geoning career and the demands ofmotherhood.

And then she writes of divorce: thehopeful fantasies she conjured while stillin her marriage, as well as the harsh re-alities she faced when she and her hus-band finally separated. “People say mar-riages break up,” writes Swallow, “butmine finally broke down.”

Swallow illuminates the overwhelm-ing financial and emotional stresses ofdivorce, the daily, unforeseen difficulties.But she writes too of the joys of indepen-dence and renewal. Her journey throughdivorce’s rough terrain—and the trium-phant reconstruction of her life after di-vorce—offer encouragement and inspira-tion to anyone struggling with a marriage,as well as an insightful literary portrait ofwhat it is to relinquish the comfort andsecurity of a long-held dream.

A former staff writer for the Wash-ington Post, Wendy Swallow is currentlya journalism professor at American Uni-versity and a freelance writer. A divorcedmother of two, Swallow lives inKensington, Maryland, outside of Wash-ington, D.C.

Note: A portion of Wendy Swallow’sbook is not the only item scheduled forthe May Reader’s Digest. Also look for aportrait of former federal Child SupportCommissioner Judge David Gray Ross,and his support for the 2-parent family.

Book Nook

Father and ChildFather and ChildFather and ChildFather and ChildFather and ChildReunion: How toReunion: How toReunion: How toReunion: How toReunion: How to

Bring the Dads WeBring the Dads WeBring the Dads WeBring the Dads WeBring the Dads WeNeed to the ChildrenNeed to the ChildrenNeed to the ChildrenNeed to the ChildrenNeed to the Children

We LoveWe LoveWe LoveWe LoveWe Loveby Warren Farrell, Ph.D. 300 pages,

hardback. $25 Tarcher/Putnam, amember of Penguin Putnam.

The author of WhyMen Are the Way TheyAre demolishes conven-tional wisdom about thenature of fatherhoodand shows how thecourts, media, and gov-ernment create subtle,immensely powerful

undercurrents that separate men fromtheir children.

Anyone who cares about the natureof fatherhood today, anyone interestedin the legal and emotional issues thatdivide fathers from children, anyoneviewing fatherhood from the perspective

of a journalist, social worker, or law-maker, and any single, married, or di-vorced parent needs to read this thought-ful and engaging book.

Dr. Warren Farrell argues-with sur-prising and convincing evidence drawnfrom court cases, law-enforcementrecords, national statistics, and therapeu-tic case studies—that the judicial system,media, and government often make dads“the enemy.” Fathers enjoy no parentingrights within the legal system and evenin other, less typically confrontationalarenas-such as the public education sys-tem-a wide range of unreported forcesdivide fathers from their children.

For all its explosive conclusions, Fa-ther and Child Reunion ultimately callsfor a rejoining of families and of chil-dren with parents who can care for them.Dr. Farrell has written a significant bookon a vital issue facing men, women, andfamilies today.

Warren Farrell, Ph.D., is the authorof Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’tSay and The Myth of Male Power. Dr.

Farrell taught at the School of Medicineat the University of California in San Di-ego, and has taught psychology, sociol-ogy, and political science at Georgetown,Rutgers, and Brooklyn College. He is theonly man elected three times to theboard of N.O.W. in New York City.

Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Intellectual PropertyProtectionProtectionProtectionProtectionProtection

Charlie Ruggiero, who ob-tained trademark protection forthe name and logo “Children’sRights Council” and the name andlogo for our newsletter “SpeakOut for Children” is a specialistin trademark, patent, copyright,and licensing law. He is a partnerin the law firm of Ohlandt,Greeley, Ruggiero and Perle, 1Landmark Square, Suite 903,Stamford, CT 06901, telephone(203) 327-6067.


Children’s Rights CouncilChildren’s Rights CouncilChildren’s Rights CouncilChildren’s Rights CouncilChildren’s Rights Council

2001 CATALOG OF RESOURCESCATALOG OF RESOURCESCATALOG OF RESOURCESCATALOG OF RESOURCESCATALOG OF RESOURCES

for parents and professionalsfor parents and professionalsfor parents and professionalsfor parents and professionalsfor parents and professionals

MANY BOOKS DISCOUNTED!MANY BOOKS DISCOUNTED!MANY BOOKS DISCOUNTED!MANY BOOKS DISCOUNTED!MANY BOOKS DISCOUNTED!Buy at Discount & Sell for Full Price to Your GroupBuy at Discount & Sell for Full Price to Your GroupBuy at Discount & Sell for Full Price to Your GroupBuy at Discount & Sell for Full Price to Your GroupBuy at Discount & Sell for Full Price to Your Group

Make $$$ or Give Copies to Educate Judges or PolicymakersMake $$$ or Give Copies to Educate Judges or PolicymakersMake $$$ or Give Copies to Educate Judges or PolicymakersMake $$$ or Give Copies to Educate Judges or PolicymakersMake $$$ or Give Copies to Educate Judges or PolicymakersDiscounted Books Are in Bold TypeDiscounted Books Are in Bold TypeDiscounted Books Are in Bold TypeDiscounted Books Are in Bold TypeDiscounted Books Are in Bold Type

BOOKS FOR KIDS

A Heart Full of Love , written by Bette S. Margolis, illus-trated by Christie L. Kline. A wonderful book for that spe-cial 7- to 9-year-old in your life who is undergoing parentaldivorce.

SB-101 ---------------------------------------------------------- $15.00

I Love You More Than... , by Elizabeth Hickey and JamesCohen. Illustrated by Lynda Smart Brown, 1998.

HB-102 ---------------------------------------------------------- $16.95

Daddy Day, Daughter Day , by CNN’s Larry King andChaia King, 1997. A true story of divorce told through botha child’s and a father’s perspective.

SB-103 ---------------------------------------------------------- $12.95

How to Survive Your Parent’s Divorce: Kids Ad-vice to Kids, by Gayle Kimball, 1994. Easy-to-readone-of-a-kind guide for young people and their parentsas they reshape their lives post-divorce.

SB-104 .............. Reg. $9.95 ✶Discount Price $4.00

I Think Divorce Stinks, by Marcia Lebowitz, 1992. Helpschildren recognize that it is appropriate to have negativefeelings about divorce and to express those feelings.

SB-105 ------------------------------------------------------------ $4.95

What am I Doing in a Stepfamily?, by Claire Berman,1994. A children’s book explaining how two families can bebetter than one.

SB-106 ---------------------------------------------------------- $12.00

It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear , byVicki Lansky, 1998. Koko Bear can helpchildren understand divorce and sends agood message.SB-107 ----------------------------------- $5.99

The Divorce Workbook, by Sally Ives, David Fassler &Michelle Lasch, 1985. How to facilitate honest and opencommunication between adults and children at the trau-matic time of separation and divorce. Q and A for kids.

SB-108 ---------------------------------------------------------- $15.95

My Book, My Self for Boys , by Linda Madaras andArea Madaras, 1995. The “What’s Happening to MyBody for Boys.”

SB-109 ............ Reg. $11.95 ✶Discount Price $6.00

BOOKS FOR PARENTS

NEW!The Unexpected Legacy of Di-vorce—A 25-Year Landmark Study,by Judith S. Wallerstein, Julia M. Lewis, andSandra Blakeslee, 2000. The best-sellingbook that says many children of divorcesuffer long-term effects from divorce.SB-200 ----------------------------------- $24.95

50/50 Parenting, by Gayle Kimball, Ph.D. Almost 300 co-parents and 83 children report on life in married, divorced,and step-family situations.

SB-201 ------------------------------------------------------------ $9.95

Divorce Book for Parents, by Vicki Lansky, 1987.Warmly supportive and reassuring, this comprehensiveguide speaks to all divorced and divorcing parents.

HB-203 ------------------------------------------------------------ $6.00

The Divorce Help Source Book, by Margorie Engel,1994. Combines sound advice with hundreds of po-tential sources of help to assist you in getting the re-sults you deserve.


Divorced Dads, Shattering theMyths , by Sanford L. Braver, Ph.D., 1998.The surprising truth about fathers, childrenand divorce.HB-205 ----------------------------------- $24.95

For the Sake of the Children, by KrisKline and Stephen Pew, 1992. Discusseshow to share your children with your ex-

spouse despite your anger. Kline is CRC’s Florida co-ordinator. PHOTOCOPIES ONLY!

HB-206 ............ Reg. $18.95 ✶Discount Price $9.00

Divorce: Crisis, Challenge, or Relief? , by David A.Chiriboga and Linda S. Catron, 1991. Addresses theimpact of divorce on children through different stagesof their lives.


Why Parents Disagree: How Women and Men Par-ent Differently and How We Can Work Together ,by Dr. Ron Taffel, 1994. An explanation of why parents be-gin to lead different lives and how parents can raise kids aspartners, not enemies.

SB-208 ---------------------------------------------------------- $23.00

The Good Divorce , by Constance R. Ahrons, Ph.D., 1994.An outstanding book with a powerful message: while di-vorce is not ‘good,’ there is a path to a ‘good divorce’ whereparents cooperate fully for the sake of their children.

HB-209 ---------------------------------------------------------- $23.00

A Hole in My Heart, by Claire Berman, 1991. A bookthat will enable adult children of divorce to recognizethe role they play in changing patterns in their lives.


Families Apart, by Melinda Blau, 1993. 10 Keys to Suc-cessful Co-Parenting. A blend of the author’s own re-search, and that of other experts, and rich in anecdotalinformation.


REVISED!Mom’s House, Dad’s House, by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.,

1998. Making shared custody work: How parents can maketwo homes for their children after divorce. 100 New pagesto this classic book!

SB-212 ---------------------------------------------------------- $20.00

Negotiating Love: How Women and Men Can Re-solve Their Differences, by Riki Robbins Jones, 1995.Points out destructive habits by both sexes which, whenrealized, strengthen families and relationships.

SB-213 ---------------------------------------------------------- $14.00

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Surviving Divorce,by Paula Weintraub and Terry Hillman, 1996.


Putting Kids First, by MichaelOddenino. A must read for caring parentsand professionals, by CRC’s General Coun-sel. Includes a children’s bill of rights.SB-215 ------------------------------------- $9.95

Second Chances, by JudithWallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee, 1989.Based on ten year longitudinal study ofthe effects of divorce on adults and chil-

dren.HB-216 ............ Reg. $14.95 ✶Discount Price $5.00

Surviving the Break-Up, How Children and Par-ents Cope with Divorce, by Judith Wallerstein, Ph.D.and Joan Kelly, Ph.D., 1980. A classic that is still validin discussing the problems of children being raised bysingle parents.


REVISED!Creating a Successful Parenting Plan , by Dr. A. Jayne

Major. Nationally acclaimed author of “Breakthrough Parenting”and “Winning the Custody War Without Casualties”

SB-218 ---------------------------------------------------------- $24.95

3 Steps to a Strong Family , by Linda and Richard Eyre,1994. A 3-step program that can make your family life hap-pier, less stressful, and more rewarding.

HB-219 ---------------------------------------------------------- $19.50

Familyhood: Nurturing the Values that Matter , byDr. Lee Salk, 1992. A practical, inspiring guide to com-municating values.


The Best Parent is Both Parents: A Guide toShared Parenting in the 21st Century , the CRCbook edited by David L. Levy. Order bulk copies (10 or more)for only $4 a copy, resell the copies for the list price of $10each, and make a profit for you or your organization! Indi-vidual copies will continue to be available from CRC for$10 each, plus $4 for postage, as long as supplies last. Ifyou would like copies (individual or bulk order) autographedby David L. Levy, just state to whom you would like itautographed (yourself, perhaps your children—give theirnames).

SB-221 ---------- Order 10 copies or more each only $4.00------------------------------------------- Individual copies $10.00

Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce , by M. GaryNeuman, L.M.H.C. 1996. This book is based on the nation-ally renowned “Sandcastles” workshop.

HB-222 ---------------------------------------------------------- $25.00

The Sibling Society , by Robert Bly, 1996, author of “IronJohn.” Describes our culture as one where adults re-main children, and children have no desire to becomeadults—a nation of squabbling siblings.


NEW!Ceasefire , by Cathy Young, 1999, syndi-cated columnist. Why women and menmust join forces to achieve true equality;how that will help children, too.HB-224 ---------------------------------- $25.00

Saying No Is Not Enough , by Rich-ard Schwebel, Ph.D., 1989. Raising chil-dren who make wise decisions about drugsand alcohol.

SB-225 ----------------------------------------------------------- $11.00

Abolition of Marriage, by Maggie Gallagher, 1996, syn-dicated columnist. How we destroy lasting love.

HB-226 ---------------------------------------------------------- $25.00

Friends for Life , by Susan Jonas and Marilyn Nissenson,1997. Enriching the bond between mothers and their adultdaughters.

HB-227 ---------------------------------------------------------- $29.00

Talking Back to Ritalin , by Peter R.Breggin, M.D., 1998, 4-time guest on Oprah.What doctors aren’t telling you about the dan-gers of stimulants.HB-228 -------------------------------------- $25.00

The Assault on Parenthood, by DanaMack, 1997. The author, a scholar at theInstitute for American Values, describes

how our culture undermines the family.HB-229 ............ Reg. $25.00 ✶Discount Price $10.00

Babyhood, by Paul Reiser, 1997. Thisis not a how-to-book. It contains humor-ous stories by the star, co-creator and ex-ecutive producer of the NBC Series MadAbout You. Reiser ’s first book,Couplehood, was a #1 New York Timesbestseller list.HB-230 ...................................Reg. $22.00

✶Discount Price $10.00

Working Fathers, by James A. Levine, CRC Advisor,and Todd L. PIttinsky. A guide to help fathers as well asmothers, employees and managers, succeed in man-aging the competitive demands of home and work.


The War Against Parents, by SylviaAnn Hewlett and Cornel West.Praised byCRC in a letter to the Washington PostBook World when the book was pub-lished in 1998.HB-232$24.00 ✶Discount Price $10.00

The Divorce Culture, by Barbara DafoeWhitehead (1996). Worth reading for its

insightful views of marriage and divorce, but deficientin not recognizing the phenomenon of the “forcedaway” and “pushed away” parents.


Business Dad, by Tom Hirschfeld. How Good Business-men Can Make Great Fathers (and Vice Versa), 1999.Recommended by Stephen R. Covey author of The 7habits of Highly Effective People, and by James A.Levine, director, The Fatherhood Project, Families andWork Institute.


Ask the Children, by Ellen Galinsky,president of the Families and Work Insti-tute, 1999. What America’s Children Re-ally Think about Working Parents.HB-235 ----------------------------- Reg. $25.00


BOOKS FOR STEPPARENTS

How to Win as a Stepfamily, by Emily Visher, Ph.D.and John Visher, M.D., 1982. The co-founders of theStepfamily Association of America answer questions andgive suggestions on how to make stepfamilies work.

HB-301 ---------------------------------------------------------- $13.95

Making it as a Stepparent, New Roles/New Rules, by Claire Berman, 1986. Formerpresident of the Stepfamily Association ofAmerica provides practical help and insights.SB-302 ---------------------------------------- $7.95

Stepfamilies Stepping Ahead, edited byMala Burt for the Stepfamily Association of

America.SB-303 ------------------------------------------------------------ $9.95

BOOKS FOR GRANDPARENTS

Grandparenting in a Changing World,by Edna LeShan, 1997. “Common sensepresented with uncommon grace.” —Kirkus Reviews.SB-401Reg. $12.00 __________________✶Discount Price $6.00

Grandparents as Parents: A SurvivalGuide for Raising a Second Family,

by Sylvie de Toledo and Deborah Edler Brown. A “how-to”manual for grandparents who are raising their grandchil-dren.

HB-403 --------------------------------------------------- Reg. $17.00

BOOKS FOR SINGLE PARENTS

Still a Dad, The Divorced Father’sJourney, by CRC’s own Serge Prengel,1998. Published with praise from WarrenFarrell, Karen DeCrow, and James A. Cook.SB-2501 ------------------------------------ $13.95

Surviving Divorce—Women’s Re-sources After Separation, by Mavis

Maclean, 1991. Women coping with earnings, maintenanceand welfare in the U.S., France, and Great Britain.

HB-502 ------------------------------------------------------------ $5.00

Another Way Home: A Single Father’s Story , byJohn Thorndike, 1996. A memoir of Thorndike’s life withhis wife and the difficult decisions he has had to makeregarding their son’s life.


Fatherless America , by David Blankenhorn, 1995.Shows the devastating consequences of fatherlessnessin both individual families and in our society.


The Masculine Mystique: The Politics of Mascu-linity , by Andrew Kimbrell, 1995. Presents the argu-ment that American men are in crisis and includes whatlead to this phenomenon.


The Daddy Track and the Single Father , by GeofferyL. Greif, 1990. A book about successfully coping with kids,housework, a job, an ex-wife, a social life, and the courts.

HB-506 ---------------------------------------------------------- $19.95

Money-Smart Divorce. What Women Need toKnow about Money and Divorce, by Esther M.Berger, 1996.

SB-507 ---------------------------------------------------------- $22.00

Why Men Are the Way They Are, by Warren Farrell,1986. Provides insights into loved one’s secret insightsand desires.

SB-509 .............. Reg. $5.99 ✶Discount Price $3.00

Fathers’ Rights , by Jeffrey Leving. A best-sell-ing book for fathers who want to maintain con-tact with their children.SB-510 ------------------------------------------ $12.50

The Divorced Parent: Success Strate-gies for Raising Your Children After

Separation , by Stephanie Marston, 1994. Provides prac-tical advice and specific tools for raising well-adjusted chil-dren.

HB-511 ---------------------------------------------------------- $21.00

Like Father, Like Son , By Hunter S. Fulghum, 1996. Acollection of stories on being a man at midlife inAmerica, with introduction by Robert Fulghum.


Child Custody Made Simple , by WebsterWatnik, 1997. Answers all your questions aboutchild custody and child support for a singleparent.SB-513 ---------------------------------------- $21.95

The Single Parent’s Money Guide , byEmily Card, 1996. A plan for managing your

money when you are the only one your family can counton.


Questions from Dad , by CRC Spokesperson and popsinger Dwight Twilley, 1994. A very cool way to communi-cate with your child. Introduced by Dr. Susan Forward.

SB-515 ---------------------------------------------------------- $17.00

I Am the Mother of Sons . Poems by Jayne Jaudon Ferrer,1996. Illustrated by Lina Levy.

HB-516 ---------------------------------------------------------- $10.00

Men on Divorce—The Other Side of the Story , ed-ited by Penny Kaganoff and Susan Spano, 1997.


One Swell Dad , by Pat Ross, 1992. The book of memoriesand expressions of fatherly endearment from the past.

HB-518 ------------------------------------------------------------ $9.00

MEDIATION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Family Evaluations in Child Custody, Mediation,Arbitration and Litigation, by Richard Gardner, M.D.,1989. In this update, Gardner proposes a three-phase sys-tem to remove child custody evaluations from courtroomlitigation.

HB-601 ---------------------------------------------------------- $45.00

Healing Hearts, Helping Children and Adults Re-cover from Divorce, by Elizabeth Hickey, M.S.W.,CRC’s National Parent Education Director, and ElizabethDalton, attorney and mediator

HB-602 ---------------------------------------------------------- $15.00

Parent Vs. Parent: How You and Your Child CanSurvive the Custody Battle , by Stephen P. Herman,M.D., 1990. Expert advice for parents through all stages ofthe divorce process.

HB-603 ---------------------------------------------------------- $20.95

Between Love and Hate, A Guide to Civilized Di-vorce, by Lois Gold, M.S.W., 1992. Learn the funda-mental skills of negotiation conflict resolution and me-diation, for everyone’s good.


LEGAL ISSUES

NEW!From Courtship to Courtroom: WhatDivorce Law Is Doing to Mariage , byJed H. Abraham, 2000. Abraham, a lawyer,mediator, and joint custody advocate, writesa chilling picture of how today’s divorce lawsmake life miserable for families.SB-701 -------------------------------------- $15.00

A Family Divided , by Robert Mendelson,1997. A discussion of a divorced father’sstruggle with the child custody industry.HB-703 ------------------------------- Reg. $21.00


The Custody Revolution , by RichardWarshak, 1992. The Father Factor and theMotherhood Mystique.


Custody for Fathers , by Carleen and Michael Brennan,1994. Includes more than 100 strategies that havehelped fathers win (share) custody of their children ina mom-biased system.


Divorce and the Myth of Lawyers , by Lenard Marlow,J.D., 1992. The exposition of myths regarding the legal sys-tem and its effects on divorcing couples.

HB-706 ---------------------------------------------------------- $10.95

The Father’s Emergency Guide to Divorce/Cus-tody Battle, A Tour Through the Predatory World ofJudges, Lawyers, Psychologists and Social Workers in theSubculture of Divorce, by Robert Seidenberg, with the le-gal insights of Williams Dawes, Esq., 1997.

SB-707 ---------------------------------------------------------- $15.00

Every Parent’s Guide to the Law , by Deborah L.Forman. Everything you need to know about legal issuesaffecting parents and children pre-birth through the child-rearing years.

SB-708 ---------------------------------------------------------- $18.00

Divorce Yourself, the National No-Fault DivorceKit, by Daniel Sitarz, 3rd ed. 1993. Everything you andyour spouse will need to obtain your divorce withoutusing a lawyer. Instructions, easy-to-use legal forms,checklists, and courtroom guidelines. Legally valid inall 50 states and D.C.


PARENTAL KIDNAPPING

Autographed Copies!They Are My Children, Too, by Catherine Meyer, 1999.

Powerful account of a mother’s loss of her children. A caseof international parental kidnapping. Written by CRC’s newHonorary President.

HB-801 ---------------------------------------------------------- $23.00

When Parents Kidnap, by Geoffrey Greif and RebeccaHegar, 1993. This book captures the experiences of parentssearching for their children and abductors who have takenthem; also makes public policy recommendations.

HB-802 ---------------------------------------------------------- $22.95

CHILD ABUSE

Ashes to Ashes...Families to Dust, by Dean Tong,1996. False accusations of child abuse: A road map forsurvivors that helps to answer their questions.

SB-901 ---------------------------------------------------------- $15.95

The Parental Alienation Syndrome, A guide for men-tal health and legal professionals, by Richard Gardner, M.D.,1995. An authoritative work on the Parental Alienation Syn-drome.

SB-903 ---------------------------------------------------------- $35.00

NEW!Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Pa-

rental Alienation Syndrome, by Richard A. Gardner,M.D. (2001). This is a book for therapists working with fami-lies where children are alienated from a parent.

SB-904 ---------------------------------------------------------- $40.00

Children Held Hostage, Dealing withProgrammed and Brainwashed Chil-dren, by Stanley S. Clawar, Ph.D., C.C.S. andBrynne Rivlin, M.S.S., 1991. This book is ap-proved by the American Bar Association.SB-905 -------------------------------------- $50.00

Recognizing Child Abuse, by DouglasBesharov, Ph.D., a resident scholar of the American Enter-prise Institute. A comprehensive guide to recognizing, pre-venting, and handling child abuse and neglect.

SB-906 ---------------------------------------------------------- $12.00

The Book of David, How Preserving Families CanCost Children’s Lives, by Richard Gelles, 1996. A con-vincing and dramatic book about the flaws of the child wel-fare system.

HB-907 ---------------------------------------------------------- $23.00

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, byAlex V. Levin, MD., and Mary S. Sheridan,1995. Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment.Deliberate creation or false reporting of ill-ness, to gain attention for the caretaker.This is a form of child abuse.HB-908 ......................................Reg. $60.00


The Abuse Excuse—And Other Cop-Outs, by notedlawyer Alan Dershowitz, 1994. Sob stories and evasionsof responsibility.


PSYCHOLOGY

Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, by Verena Kast, 1997.Self-Help/Psychology. A modern analysis of parent-child re-lationships and their psychological effects — both negativeand positive.

SB-1001 -------------------------------------------------------- $13.00

VIDEOS

Children: The Experts on Divorce , by ElizabethHickey, MSW 1994. The children speak from their own ex-perience of going through their parents’ divorce. A CRC-award winning video prepared by CRC’s National ParentEducation Director.

V101 ------------------------------------------------------------- $25.00

Don’t Forget The Children , by the Dallas, Texas Asso-ciation of Young Lawyers. A CRC award-winning video thatprovides information on co-parenting in the event of divorce.

V102 ------------------------------------------------------------- $20.00

Psychotherapeutic & Legal Approaches To Paren-tal Alienation Syndrome (PAS) , by Richard A. Gardner,M.D. An in-depth discussion of ways that parents can alien-ate the child against the other parent.

V103 ------------------------------------------------------------- $25.00

REPORTS

Interference with Access (Visitation) as a Tort.Updated 1997. Not a frequent remedy, but one that maybe available.

R101 ------------------------------------------------------------- $10.00

Parenting Plans. Three different parenting plans that canhelp you and other parents.

R102 ------------------------------------------------------------- $10.00

Joint Custody as a Child’s Right —a law review ar-ticle (1988), a legal brief with citations up to 1994 and areport by Section 16 of the American Psychological Asso-ciation describing “favorable outcomes” for children with jointcustody (1995)

R103 ------------------------------------------------------------- $10.00

Send for a list of other reports.

PINS AND BUTTONSThe famous “Children First” pin.8 colors, with figures of sevenchildren standing on a field ofgreen with logo “Children First.”Two prongs. 3/4” high, 1-1/2”wide.

P101 --------------------------------------------------------------- $8.00

Button created by Patti Diroff that says“Child support is more than a check, it’sbeing a parent.” With CRC logo, includ-ing children’s faces. 4 colors, round, 2-1/4” diameter.B202 ----------------------------------- $2.00

T-SHIRTSCRC 4-color t-shirts say “HelpStop Crime, Give Children 2Parents” Specify size: child S,M, L; Adult S, M, L, XL. Specifycolor: white or blue.----- $10 adults, $8 children

MUGSEach white ceramic mug says “Children’sRights Council” and “The Best Parent isBoth Parents.” A Mark Roseman cre-ation.---------------- $8 each or two for $15.

Add $2 for shipping first mug, $1 eachadditional mug.

The Best Parent is Both Parents, white printing on ablack background.

------------------------------------------------ $1 apiece, 6 for $5.00

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Equal Parents’ WeekEqual Parents’ WeekEqual Parents’ WeekEqual Parents’ WeekEqual Parents’ WeekThe CRC’s National Mandate for a 2-Parent FocusThe CRC’s National Mandate for a 2-Parent FocusThe CRC’s National Mandate for a 2-Parent FocusThe CRC’s National Mandate for a 2-Parent FocusThe CRC’s National Mandate for a 2-Parent Focus

September 24–September 30, 2001 September 24–September 30, 2001 September 24–September 30, 2001 September 24–September 30, 2001 September 24–September 30, 2001“Just Say Yes!” to Shared Parenting“Just Say Yes!” to Shared Parenting“Just Say Yes!” to Shared Parenting“Just Say Yes!” to Shared Parenting“Just Say Yes!” to Shared Parenting

Spread the word to family, friends,and other organizations to join us inmaking our message “The Best ParentsIs Both Parents” during Equal Parents’Week stronger than ever this year bytying purple ribbons throughout EqualParents’ Week. On Wednesday, Sep-tember 26, 2001 at 8:30 p.m. “A Mo-ment In Our Hearts, A Moment OfSolidarity” will be held nationally and in-ternationally, by holding candlelight vig-ils. For persons who cannot attend apublic vigil, we urge you to hold yourown “Home Vigils” to add your voicesand strengthen the message we are send-ing. Last year, 25 states throughout theUnited States and six foreign countries—Canada, England, Spain, Brazil, Argen-tina, and Chile—held public candlelightvigils, “Home Vigils,” and tied purpleribbons.

The Equal Parents’ Week messageis spreading and is being observed atother times by other organizations. OnMarch 14, 2001, the Empire State Build-ing in New York City was illuminated inred and blue lights through the joint ef-forts of the New York City CRC Chap-ter and the Father’s Rights AssociationNYS, Inc. in declaring that day Equal

Parents’ Day. In addition, purple rib-bons were worn to signify a child’s natu-ral right to both parents. (See additionalinformation on page 25.)

Equal Parents’ Week advocates thata 2-parent focus should be establishedas our national priority, maximizing theinvolvement that both parents are will-ing and able to contribute in raising theirchildren, and promoting the ability ofboth parents to meet all their children’sneeds without compromising or impos-ing financial impediments to nonfinan-cial forms of child support.

To call attention to 2-parent focus isthe “Just Say Yes! to shared parenting”campaign. “Just Say Yes” calls attentionto the problem of parental “veto” whichunreasonably and arbitrarily defeatsshared parenting and all too often de-prives children from the contact theyneed and deserve from loving and re-sponsible parents through laws or judi-cial discretion. Vetoing shared parentingis a negative choice.

The response of statutes and judgesshould instead require parents to makea choice to exercise their first responsi-bility as a parent...to “just say yes” tomaking a commitment to doing what is

truly in children’s best interests...to “justsay yes” to unconditionally loving andsacrificing for their children...and thatmeans, “Just Say Yes!” to sharedparenting.

For those who would like to keeptheir purple ribbons tied permanentlyand send this message year-round, wewant to encourage you to do this and wewant to know if you’re doing it! Everyvoice counts and every purple ribbonsends a message.

Tie ribbons to your car radio an-Tie ribbons to your car radio an-Tie ribbons to your car radio an-Tie ribbons to your car radio an-Tie ribbons to your car radio an-tenna, to the door of your house or apart-tenna, to the door of your house or apart-tenna, to the door of your house or apart-tenna, to the door of your house or apart-tenna, to the door of your house or apart-ment, or to your briefcase.ment, or to your briefcase.ment, or to your briefcase.ment, or to your briefcase.ment, or to your briefcase.

Please contact the National Coordi-nator, Patti Diroff, at (909) 591-3689 andat [email protected] to let herknow if you are tying/holding purple rib-bon activities and holding candlelight vig-ils or “Home Vigils” so they can be in-cluded in the international press release.You can also use the sign up links foractivities on the Equal Parents’ Weekwebsite at http://members.tripod.com/epweek

Order Parenting Time CalendarsOrder Parenting Time CalendarsOrder Parenting Time CalendarsOrder Parenting Time CalendarsOrder Parenting Time Calendars

Judges in Lucas County, Ohio have approved the use of a calendar forparenting time issues decided in court. The calendar was developed by CRCof Ohio. Various colored blocks on the calendar represent time between thechild and the non-custodial parent that is spent together (green), times missed(red), and special times (blue). The calendar makes it easy to record thesetimes, and you can show the calendar in court, if you have to. Order from CRCof Ohio, 4069 West Sylvania St., Toledo, OH 43623. $10 plus $4 shipping,total of $14. For orders of 10 or more for your group, the total shipping chargeis $8 total.

Get a 3.9 percent CRC Credit CardGet a 3.9 percent CRC Credit CardGet a 3.9 percent CRC Credit CardGet a 3.9 percent CRC Credit CardGet a 3.9 percent CRC Credit Card

Get the CRC VISA Credit Card, and obtain a low 3.9 percent introductoryrate. The credit card displays the CRC logo, and CRC receives a small contri-bution every time you use the card. CRC receives more if you break up a largepurchase into several small purchases. For an application, contact CRC, or callMBNA at 1-800-523-7666. If you have trouble obtaining approval, contact CRC;we can’t guarantee approval, but we will gladly try.

Contact Other CRCContact Other CRCContact Other CRCContact Other CRCContact Other CRCMembers by E-mailMembers by E-mailMembers by E-mailMembers by E-mailMembers by E-mail

Send and receive e-mail fromother CRC members around thecountry.

If you are a CRC member, e-mail the following message toHarry Prillaman, CRC Coordina-tor for Georgia, who is supervis-ing this service. He can be reachedat [email protected]

Dear Harry. I am a nationalCRC member who would like to jointhe [email protected] distri-bution list.

Thanks,Your name, mailing address,

phone number, and e-mail address

Call the CRC national officeat 202-547-6227 or fax 202-546-4272 to make sure your nationalmembership is current.


Available on Audio CassetteAvailable on Audio CassetteAvailable on Audio CassetteAvailable on Audio CassetteAvailable on Audio CassetteChildren’s Rights Council’sChildren’s Rights Council’sChildren’s Rights Council’sChildren’s Rights Council’sChildren’s Rights Council’s1313131313ththththth National Conference National Conference National Conference National Conference National Conference

Shared Parenting—It Makes SenseShared Parenting—It Makes SenseShared Parenting—It Makes SenseShared Parenting—It Makes SenseShared Parenting—It Makes SenseMay 3-6, 2001May 3-6, 2001May 3-6, 2001May 3-6, 2001May 3-6, 2001

Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, MarylandBethesda, MarylandBethesda, MarylandBethesda, Maryland

CRC Audio Cassette List:CRC Audio Cassette List:CRC Audio Cassette List:CRC Audio Cassette List:CRC Audio Cassette List:■■ CRC 101 The Perspective on Families: How Foundations, Government Agencies and

Non-Profit Organizations View Family Issues –Moore, Haskins, Kaiser, Smith, Mellgren,Perrin, Gallagher, Levy

■■ CRC 102 Grandparents Are Parents, Too! –Castagno■■ CRC 103 Parents: The Key to Student Success –Hodge■■ CRC 104 Focused Thinking in Parenting: Teaching Children to Think and Solve Prob-

lems Successfully –Posthumus■■ CRC 105 Gender Politics and Shared Parenting –Young■■ CRC 106 Developments on Capitol Hill that Affect Children and Families Panel –Hill

staffers■■ CRC 107 The New American Family: What Was Wrong With the Old One? –Kathleen

Parker■■ CRC 108 Creative Writing Group: “Telling Your Story of Loss, Hope, and Renewal”

–Roseman■■ CRC 109 Dads and Stepdads Parenting with Moms and Stepmoms –Engel■■ CRC 110 Parental Conflict Resolution –Cooper■■ CRC 111 Financial Child Support: Obligation or Burden? –Kaiser■■ CRC 112 Still a Dad: The Divorced Father’s Journey –Prengel■■ CRC 113 Developmentally Effective Parenting Plans –Stahl■■ CRC 114 Healthy Men, Healthy Fathers, Healthy Families –Bartlett■■ CRC 115 The Politics of Parenting –Baskerville■■ CRC 116 A New Administration: A Return to Dignity for Families –Crouch■■ CRC 117 Parallel Parenting Strategies: Keys for Success in High Conflict Divorces –Mikesell■■ CRC 118 Generative Parenting: Seeking Peace in the Mediation of Divorce –Rogers, Leving■■ CRC 119 ADVOCACY: Playing a Responsible Role –Henry■■ CRC 120 False Allegations of Parental Alienation –Darnall■■ CRC 121 Establishing and Operating Successful ‘Safe Haven’ Child Transfer and Super-

vised Access Centers –Banner, Cady, Huerter, Wall, Wuwert, Ellis■■ CRC 122 Should Access be Provided to Kidnappers after Children have been Recovered,

and if So, Under What Circumstances –Dabbagh■■ CRC 123 Alienation: How it Feels; What we should Do About It! –Holstein■■ CRC 124 Alienation and Malpractice: A Case Study –Gidding■■ CRC 125 Caught in the Crossfire: Dispelling Myths About Child Abuse and Custody Cases

–Tong■■ CRC 126 In the Best Interests of Children & Families –Judges■■ CRC 127 Creative Process Group: “What are We Taking Home?” –Prengel■■ CRC 128 Moments to Memories: Creating Legacies for Families of Divorce –Isham■■ CRC 129 Rebuilding the Bond –Stuart–Mills Hock■■ CRC 130 A Working Vision of Cost Shares: Child Support Guidelines –Rogers, Bieniewicz■■ CRC 131 Why Supervised Visitation? –Olesh■■ CRC 132 Reunification Success Stories –Darnall■■ CRC 133 No One is Immune: A Psychologist’s Encounter with the Tyranny of Conven-

tional Wisdom –Dave■■ CRC 134 Representing Single Custodial Fathers –Leving■■ CRC 135 The Distressed Children of Sierra Leone –Kargbo, The Disturbing Reality of

Parental Abductions, Divorce and Custody in Japan –Benda, and Children of Divorce inEngland –Coe

■■ CRC 136 The Future of CRC. Questions and Answers –Levy, Bauserman

Unable to AttendUnable to AttendUnable to AttendUnable to AttendUnable to AttendCRC’s 13th NationalCRC’s 13th NationalCRC’s 13th NationalCRC’s 13th NationalCRC’s 13th National

Conference?Conference?Conference?Conference?Conference?

Order the CD “Ernie Ashworth andFriends Sing Out for the Children’sRights Council”, including HadassahLuther sing “Hear the Cries of theChildren” and songs by 11 other art-ists. $12.

Order Booklet of Materials submittedby many of the speakers, and someconference handouts. An overview ofmany topics affecting custody, access(visitation) and parental kidnapping ofchildren. $10

Audio Cassettes Recorded at the Con-ference $10

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■■ the CD at $ 12 ______(additional copies ofthe CD are $10 each) ______

■■ The Booklet of ConferenceMaterials at $10 ______

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Fatherhood BillFatherhood BillFatherhood BillFatherhood BillFatherhood BillRe-IntroducedRe-IntroducedRe-IntroducedRe-IntroducedRe-Introduced

S. 653 (Senate bill) and H.R. 1300(House bill).

The Responsible Fatherhood Act,which was passed by the House last year,and stopped in the Senate, has been re-introduced in the House and Senate. Itis essentially the same bill in both Houseand Senate.

The legislation provides for $77 mil-lion in fatherhood programs, with aheavier emphasis on marriage than thelegislation last year.

Last year’s bill provided for a 50/50split in funds, half to promote marriage,and half to promote fragile families.

This year’s Senate version requiresmore emphasis on marriage. Governorsof the states must certify that funds arebeing used to promote or sustain mar-riage, or fatherhood. Whether father-hood can be promoted outside of mar-riage depends on which Hill staffer youtalk to.

The Senate bill’s major sponsor isSen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), and the House’smain sponsor is Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN). Each bill has both Republican andDemocratic co-sponsors.

Rep. Carson wants to fund successprograms that promote fatherhood, saidone of her aides.

At the request of CRC, Sen. Bayhadded a provision to the bill that in con-sidering funding, one of the factorsshould be programs that explain “thebenefits of the involvement of both par-ents in a child’s life.”

The Senate bill was referred to theSenate Finance Committee, 202/224-4515 and the House version was referredto House Ways and Means Committee,(202) 225-3625.

Denial of Passports Denial of Passports Denial of Passports Denial of Passports Denial of Passports

H.R. 407, introduced by Rep. Rob-ert Andrews (D-NJ), to establish a de-nial of passports to noncustodial parentsin cases of nonpayment of child support.Authorizes the Secretary of State torefuse, revoke, restrict, or limit use of a

passport if the applicant or passportholder is a noncustodial parent who isthe object of an outstanding State arrestwarrant for nonpayment of child sup-port, where the amount in controversyis not less than $10,000. Referred toHouse Subcommittee on InternationalOperations and Human Rights, phone(202) 225-3345.

CRC has asked Rep. Andrews toCRC has asked Rep. Andrews toCRC has asked Rep. Andrews toCRC has asked Rep. Andrews toCRC has asked Rep. Andrews toprovide a balancing amendment to thisprovide a balancing amendment to thisprovide a balancing amendment to thisprovide a balancing amendment to thisprovide a balancing amendment to thisbill to deny passports to custodial par-bill to deny passports to custodial par-bill to deny passports to custodial par-bill to deny passports to custodial par-bill to deny passports to custodial par-ents who have been found to be in vio-ents who have been found to be in vio-ents who have been found to be in vio-ents who have been found to be in vio-ents who have been found to be in vio-lation of any state or federal visitationlation of any state or federal visitationlation of any state or federal visitationlation of any state or federal visitationlation of any state or federal visitationorder, including violations of the inter-order, including violations of the inter-order, including violations of the inter-order, including violations of the inter-order, including violations of the inter-state visitation law sponsored by Rep.state visitation law sponsored by Rep.state visitation law sponsored by Rep.state visitation law sponsored by Rep.state visitation law sponsored by Rep.Andrews which became law in October,Andrews which became law in October,Andrews which became law in October,Andrews which became law in October,Andrews which became law in October,1999. That law requires all states to rec-1999. That law requires all states to rec-1999. That law requires all states to rec-1999. That law requires all states to rec-1999. That law requires all states to rec-ognize the visitation orders of otherognize the visitation orders of otherognize the visitation orders of otherognize the visitation orders of otherognize the visitation orders of otherstates. Write to Rep. Andrews asking forstates. Write to Rep. Andrews asking forstates. Write to Rep. Andrews asking forstates. Write to Rep. Andrews asking forstates. Write to Rep. Andrews asking forthis balancing amendment.this balancing amendment.this balancing amendment.this balancing amendment.this balancing amendment.

Tax InterceptionTax InterceptionTax InterceptionTax InterceptionTax Interception

H.R. 869, introduced by Rep.Michael N. Castle (R-DE), titled theChild Support Fairness and Tax Inter-ception Act of 2001. This bill amendstitle IV part D (Child Support and Es-tablishment of Paternity) of the SocialSecurity Act to provide for the use ofthe tax refund intercept program to col-lect past-due child support of behalf ofchildren who are not minors. Referredto House Subcommittee on HumanResources, phone 202-225-1025. WriteWriteWriteWriteWriteto Rep. Castle to ask for the same kindto Rep. Castle to ask for the same kindto Rep. Castle to ask for the same kindto Rep. Castle to ask for the same kindto Rep. Castle to ask for the same kindof balancing amendment as recom-of balancing amendment as recom-of balancing amendment as recom-of balancing amendment as recom-of balancing amendment as recom-mended above for Rep. Andrews’ bill.mended above for Rep. Andrews’ bill.mended above for Rep. Andrews’ bill.mended above for Rep. Andrews’ bill.mended above for Rep. Andrews’ bill.

Anti-Joint CustodyAnti-Joint CustodyAnti-Joint CustodyAnti-Joint CustodyAnti-Joint CustodyResolution Knocked OutResolution Knocked OutResolution Knocked OutResolution Knocked OutResolution Knocked Out

Congress dropped the anti-joint cus-tody resolution from the ViolenceAgainst Women Act. At least one Housemember, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA),told CRC that contacts from constituentswas the reason he informed Rep. JohnConyers (D-MI), the Resolution spon-sors that he opposed passage of the anti-joint custody resolution. CRC had askedindividuals and groups around the coun-try to let their members of Congress

know about the importance of childrenhaving access to both of their parents.The resolution was part of a crime bill,the Violence Against Women Act, anddid not adequately represent the needof children to have access to both par-ents in most situations. We thank every-one who contacted their House mem-bers against this resolution, and againstan earlier, even stronger anti-joint cus-tody resolution that was part of VAWA.

Can’t Compel Child- Can’t Compel Child- Can’t Compel Child- Can’t Compel Child- Can’t Compel Child-Parent TestimonyParent TestimonyParent TestimonyParent TestimonyParent Testimony

H.R. 733, introduced by Rep. Rob-ert Andrews (D-NJ), to establish a par-ent-child privilege. Neither a parent nora child shall be compelled to give testi-mony as a witness in a court proceedingagainst each other. Referred to HouseSubcommittee on Courts, the Internetand Intellectual Property, phone (202)225-5741.

Correction and DiscussionCorrection and DiscussionCorrection and DiscussionCorrection and DiscussionCorrection and Discussionof Safe Haven Sitesof Safe Haven Sitesof Safe Haven Sitesof Safe Haven Sitesof Safe Haven Sites

In the last issue of this newsletter(Fall, 2000/Winter, 2001), we erred instating the Violence Against Women’sAct (VAWA) bill number that Congresspassed. It is H.R. 3244, which is PublicLaw 106-386. We also stated that fundshad not yet been appropriated under thelaw. They had. However, the funds areless than contemplated. The law itselfauthorized $15 million, but the Congres-sional appropriators only allotted $2million for the “Youth Safe Havens”.

VAWA states that Safe Havenswould be operated in conjunction withdomestic violence programs in the vari-ous state(s). CRC pointed out that Con-gress already appropriates $10 million ayear for all states to share for programsthat help children connect to their non-custodial parents, including transfer sitesfor children and supervised access (visi-tation) programs. These programs, someof which are run by the Children’s RightsCouncil, are very aware of the need to

Bills in Congress



Donors AreDonors AreDonors AreDonors AreDonors AreAppreciatedAppreciatedAppreciatedAppreciatedAppreciated

CRC thanks everyone who con-tributes to CRC in the charity drivethat takes place in all federal govern-ment offices every Fall. CRC is partof Independent Charities ofAmerica. We also thank those whocontribute to CRC in the Washing-ton, D.C., and San Francisco (BayArea) United Way campaigns.

We also thank those who con-tribute to CRC through their UnitedWay in some other part of the coun-try, where we are not listed, butwhere employers may sometimesallow employees to designate CRC.

CRC depends on volunteer helpand contributions for its existence.

If you wish to make your tax-de-ductible contribution directly toCRC, send it to CRC, 300 I Street,Suite 401, Washington, D.C. 20002.

Letter to the EditorLetter to the EditorLetter to the EditorLetter to the EditorLetter to the Editor

Don’t Create Bigger Incentives for DivorceDon’t Create Bigger Incentives for DivorceDon’t Create Bigger Incentives for DivorceDon’t Create Bigger Incentives for DivorceDon’t Create Bigger Incentives for Divorce

Editor:It is no exaggeration to say that politicians are de-

stroying the foundations of American society. Manypeople are concerned about our high divorce rate andthe large number of children affected by these brokenhomes. However, only the libertarians seem to havenoticed that the government is subsidizing single parenthomes and thus creating more of them.

Now the Republicans are blindly moving to pumpup these subsidies. President Bush proposed to doublethe child-tax credit by 2006, and the congressional Re-publicans want to do it even faster. They seem unawarethat this credit is available only to custodial parents, butnot to the non-custodial parents who are paying childsupport. This is just one of at least six divorce incen-tives in the IRS rules, along with numerous other gov-ernment support programs just for custodial parents.

The groups that are working to reduce our divorcerate are concentrating mostly on promoting marriagecounseling. Those measures won’t go far unless we startrepealing the divorce subsidies, too.

Neil Steyskal Arlington, VA

protect individuals who use the sites.CRC stated that this was a duplica-

tive program, which focuses only ondomestic violence, and not on the broadrange of issues that cause judges to referparents to supervised sites, includingsubstance abuse, longtime absence fromthe family, and severe communicationsproblems between parents.

The Justice Department is in the pro-cess of preparing regulations underwhich non-profit groups could apply forsome of the funding. We will keep youposted.

The phone number to reach allmembers of Congress is (202) 224-3121.

Bills in CongressContinued from page 23

New Leadership inNew Leadership inNew Leadership inNew Leadership inNew Leadership inNew York CityNew York CityNew York CityNew York CityNew York City

Rafee Kamaal and ElizabethSchnee have been elected co-presi-dents of CRC of New York City. Wethank Thomas Thornton, whoseterm expired in December 2000,and welcome Rafee and Elizabeth,who were elected by the chapter fora two year term starting in January,2001. Raffi has been a CRC mem-ber for 4 years, and is a multi-mediaproducer. Rafee has one son, Rami,8 years old. Elizabeth owns her ownbusiness — a glass etching firm calledTownsend Glass in Long IslandCity. She is a non-custodial motherwho raised 4 kids. She has been classparent for the last 12 years, in all ofher children’s classes. They areTona, 20; Roddy, 16; Sarah, 15; andJacob, 12. And yet she has been re-peatedly blocked from visitationwith the children.

We thank BladenWe thank BladenWe thank BladenWe thank BladenWe thank BladenLithographics inLithographics inLithographics inLithographics inLithographics in

Gaithersburg, MD forGaithersburg, MD forGaithersburg, MD forGaithersburg, MD forGaithersburg, MD forproviding printingproviding printingproviding printingproviding printingproviding printingservices to CRC.services to CRC.services to CRC.services to CRC.services to CRC.

Chapter NewsContinued from page 11

Center for Divorce EducationCenter for Divorce EducationCenter for Divorce EducationCenter for Divorce EducationCenter for Divorce Educationfor Salefor Salefor Salefor Salefor Sale

The Center for Divorce Education is a thrivingmail order business that we are selling due to retire-ment. We want this good work to continue. We pro-duce the award-winning Children In The Middlevideo program and booklets for divorcing parents.We have been recognized as having the best divorceeducation programs in the country, and sales steadilyhave increased.

Research has shown these programs increase pa-rental cooperation, reduce conflict and relitigation,and increase children’s access to the nonresidentialparent. Sales can be substantially increased with goodmarketing approaches. For a part time (20 hours perweek or less) person, annual income is more than$60,000.

We will help the buyer get going with our experi-ence and expertise.

More info at: http://www.BizBuySell.com and ourwebsite at www.divorce-educationc.om, or call740-593-1065, or email Don Gordon [email protected] or Jack Arbuthnot [email protected]


Children Denied Access in New YorkChildren Denied Access in New YorkChildren Denied Access in New YorkChildren Denied Access in New YorkChildren Denied Access in New York

Representatives of the Children’s Rights Council, Fathers Rights Associa-tion, and other pro-family individuals and organizations held a press confer-ence March 14 in Albany, NY. At the press conference, participants read offthe number of children denied access to one of their parents in New York,county by county.

This is based on a CRC report that there are more than 5,500,000 childrenwho are denied access to their non-custodial parents; CRC broke the list downby population reports in each state.

Assemblyman David Sidikman (D), Sen. Owen Johnson (R), and Assem-blyman Jay Dinga (R), all of whom are co-sponsors of either A3673, or S2828— shared parenting legislation — spoke at the press conference, as did otherpro-family legislators.

Patronize Our AdvertisersPatronize Our AdvertisersPatronize Our AdvertisersPatronize Our AdvertisersPatronize Our Advertisers

Advertise in CRC’s Newsletter: 5,000 circulated with a Na-Advertise in CRC’s Newsletter: 5,000 circulated with a Na-Advertise in CRC’s Newsletter: 5,000 circulated with a Na-Advertise in CRC’s Newsletter: 5,000 circulated with a Na-Advertise in CRC’s Newsletter: 5,000 circulated with a Na-tionwide readership of 25,000!tionwide readership of 25,000!tionwide readership of 25,000!tionwide readership of 25,000!tionwide readership of 25,000!

Business Card $75 Half page $275(7.15” x 4.825”)

Quarter page $150 Full page $500(3.575 x 4.825”) (7.15” x 9.65”)

For information contact Julie at the CRC office.For information contact Julie at the CRC office.For information contact Julie at the CRC office.For information contact Julie at the CRC office.For information contact Julie at the CRC office.

Upcoming EventsUpcoming EventsUpcoming EventsUpcoming EventsUpcoming Events

Fatherhood ConferenceFatherhood ConferenceFatherhood ConferenceFatherhood ConferenceFatherhood Conference

The International FatherhoodConference 2001, sponsored byNPCL (The National Center for Stra-tegic Non-Profit Planning and Com-munity Leadership), will be held inAtlanta, Georgia, May 28-30, 2001,at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 1-800-325-3535.

For conference information, con-tact Charlene Meeks or JacquelineRatley at NPCL, phone 202-822-6725.

Smart Marriages,Smart Marriages,Smart Marriages,Smart Marriages,Smart Marriages,Happy FamiliesHappy FamiliesHappy FamiliesHappy FamiliesHappy Families

Smart Marriages, Happy Fami-lies, The Fifth Annual Conference ofthe Coalition for Marriage, Familyand Couples Education, in Orlando,Florida at the Rosen Center Hotel,1-800-204-7234, June 21-24. For reg-istration information, call 215/822-6319 or email [email protected] L. Levy of CRC will be on apanel at the conference on Saturday,June 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to dis-cuss Divorce Law Reform: Buildinga Movement.

National Summit onNational Summit onNational Summit onNational Summit onNational Summit onFatherhoodFatherhoodFatherhoodFatherhoodFatherhood

The National FatherhoodInitiative’s 4th national summit, June7-8, 2001 at the Hyatt Regency Wash-ington on Capitol Hill, phone 202/737-1234. For registraton informa-tion, contact NFI at 301/-948-0599,or at www.fatherhood.org. DickMikesell, Ph.D., will speak on Work-ing with Divorced Parents.

Hertz Car RentalHertz Car RentalHertz Car RentalHertz Car RentalHertz Car RentalBenefitsBenefitsBenefitsBenefitsBenefits

Hertz and CRC are getting to-gether! Get a free upgrade or 5percent off your next Hertz CardRental. Call your travel agent or callHertz in the U.S. at 1-800-654-2200. Mention CDP Card#1218734 (the CRC Code number)to receive your free benefit.

The Year 2000 was CRC’s 15th Anniversary—The Year 2000 was CRC’s 15th Anniversary—The Year 2000 was CRC’s 15th Anniversary—The Year 2000 was CRC’s 15th Anniversary—The Year 2000 was CRC’s 15th Anniversary—But We are Still Celebrating Until BritishBut We are Still Celebrating Until BritishBut We are Still Celebrating Until BritishBut We are Still Celebrating Until BritishBut We are Still Celebrating Until British

Embassy Reception and Conference!Embassy Reception and Conference!Embassy Reception and Conference!Embassy Reception and Conference!Embassy Reception and Conference!

We appreciate everyone who has worked for children and CRC. We thankall those who have enabled CRC to improve the lives of children and families.So many have given so much, of their time, efforts, and financial contributions.

For 2001, CRC has four life member levels of support. They are:• A PLATINUM LIFE MEMBER is one who donates $5,000 or more• A GOLD LIFE MEMBER is one who donates $2,500 to $4,999.• A SILVER LIFE MEMBER is one who donates $1,000 to $2,499.• A LIFE MEMBER is one who donates CRC $500 to $999.

Anyone who has contributed to CRC in the past may increase the donationto reach any of the life member levels. If you are unsure about your previousdonation level, contact CRC, and we would be glad to let you know. Thankyou.

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National Affiliate Organizations and ChaptersNational Affiliate Organizations and ChaptersNational Affiliate Organizations and ChaptersNational Affiliate Organizations and ChaptersNational Affiliate Organizations and Chapters

InternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternational

CRC of Great BritainCRC of Great BritainCRC of Great BritainCRC of Great BritainCRC of Great BritainTony and Christine Coe,

coordinatorsChildren’s Rights Council of the

United Kingdom38-40 Gloucester RoadLondon, SW7 4QU London,

Englandphone: 011-44-20 7589 9003fax: 011-44-20 7584 4230email: [email protected]

CRC of JapanCRC of JapanCRC of JapanCRC of JapanCRC of JapanWalter BendaP.O. Box 583Max Meadows, VA 24360540/637-3799email: [email protected]: www.gocities.com/

crcjapanandDavid Brian Thomas4-18-15-903Kamiki TazawaSetagaya-KuTokyo, Japan 156phone: 011-81-3-5317-0357

CRC of Sierra LeoneCRC of Sierra LeoneCRC of Sierra LeoneCRC of Sierra LeoneCRC of Sierra LeoneYottro Kargbo3505 Covered Bridge LaneWoodbridge, VA 22192phone and fax: 703/397-7845 andEsther Kargbo7 Sanai Abacha StreetFreetown, Sierra Leonephone: 011-23-2-2222-8682

National AffiliateNational AffiliateNational AffiliateNational AffiliateNational AffiliateOrganizationsOrganizationsOrganizationsOrganizationsOrganizations

Mothers Without CustodyMothers Without CustodyMothers Without CustodyMothers Without CustodyMothers Without Custody(MW/OC)(MW/OC)(MW/OC)(MW/OC)(MW/OC)

Jennifer Isham, coordinatorwebsite only: http: www/

motherswithoutcustody.org

Stepfamily Association of AmericaStepfamily Association of AmericaStepfamily Association of AmericaStepfamily Association of AmericaStepfamily Association of America(SAA)(SAA)(SAA)(SAA)(SAA)

Margorie Engel, presidentLarry Kallemyn, Executive

Director650 J Street, Suite 205Lincoln, Nebraska 68508402/477-78371-800/735-0329Joint membership in SAA and

CRC: $35.00 for the first year

Parenting Coalition International,Parenting Coalition International,Parenting Coalition International,Parenting Coalition International,Parenting Coalition International,Inc.Inc.Inc.Inc.Inc.

Belinda Rollins, president1025 Connecticut Avenue N.E.,

Suite 615Washington, D.C. 20036phone: 202/530-0849email:website: parentingcoalition.org

Co-MamasCo-MamasCo-MamasCo-MamasCo-MamasLouise Oxhorn and Lynne

RingwoodP.O. Box 231304Encinitas, CA 92023Phone: 760/942-4572email: [email protected]

State ChaptersState ChaptersState ChaptersState ChaptersState Chapters

AlaskaAlaskaAlaskaAlaskaAlaskaGary Maxwell, coordinatorCRC of AlaskaP.O. Box 92083Anchorage, AK 99509-2083phone: 907/277-3980fax: 907/276-3980email: [email protected]

ArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaConrad Greene, coordinatorCRC of ArizonaP O Box 454Scottsdale, AZ 85252-0454phone: 480/970-5903fax: 480/970-5925

CaliforniaCaliforniaCaliforniaCaliforniaCaliforniaPatricia Gehlen, coordinatorCRC of CaliforniaP.O. Box 163801Sacramento, CA 95816-9081phone and fax: 916/635-2590email: [email protected]

ColoradoColoradoColoradoColoradoColoradoMark Entrekin, coordinatorCRC of Colorado4715 Ranch CircleColorado Springs, CO 80918-4118phone: 719/548-8798fax: 719/597-2218email: [email protected]

ConnecticutMark Roseman, coordinatorCRC of Connecticut48 Shepards Knoll DriveHamden, CT 06514phone: 203/288-7827fax: 203/281-1425email: [email protected]: www.paradisetek.com/

ctcrc.htm

DelawareDelawareDelawareDelawareDelawareJames A. Morning, presidentCRC of DelawareP O Box 1311Dover, DE 19901302/734-8522email: [email protected]

District of ColumbiaDistrict of ColumbiaDistrict of ColumbiaDistrict of ColumbiaDistrict of ColumbiaFrank Banner, coordinatorCRC of the District of ColumbiaHillcrest Children’s Center1325 “W” Street N.W. 3rd floorWashington, D.C. 20009phone: 202/232-6100fax: 202/483-4560

FloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaKris Kline, coordinatorCRC of Florida355 Shore DriveEllenton, FL 34222phone: 813/635-0633fax: 813/620-9068email: [email protected]

GeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgiaHarry A. Prillaman, coordinatorCRC of Georgia808 Springharbor CourtWoodstock, GA 30188-5509phone: 678/643-5924fax: 678/643-5923email: [email protected]

IllinoisIllinoisIllinoisIllinoisIllinoisTerry Cady, coordinatorCRC of Illinois905 Wayne AvenueDeerfield, IL 60015phone 847/374-0461fax: 312/322-3553email: [email protected]

IndianaIndianaIndianaIndianaIndianaBob Monday, coordinatorCRC of IndianaP.O. Box 2348Indianapolis, IN 46206-2348phone: 317/685-4656email: [email protected] Dinn, coordinator emeritus

Iowa - See Nebraska/IowaIowa - See Nebraska/IowaIowa - See Nebraska/IowaIowa - See Nebraska/IowaIowa - See Nebraska/Iowa

KentuckyKentuckyKentuckyKentuckyKentuckyKevin O’Brien, coordinatorAnn SwangoCRC of KentuckyP O Box 74126Dayton, KY 41074-0126phone: 513/624-7223email: CRC-

[email protected]

MarylandMarylandMarylandMarylandMarylandHarvey Walden, coordinatorCRC of Maryland417 Pershing DriveSilver Spring, MD 20910-4254301/588-0262website: http://

www.members.tripod.com/~mdcrc/

Rob and Sandra Snow, chairsCRC of Greater Baltimore2 West 39th StreetBaltimore, MD 21218phone and fax: 410/889-9404email: [email protected]

MassachusettsMassachusettsMassachusettsMassachusettsMassachusettsCarolyn Brumber, coordinator16 Union StreetHoliston, MA 01746phone: 508/429-5282e-mail: [email protected]

Steve Carrier, presidentCRC of Massachusetts511 Main StreetP.O. Box 904Sturbridge, MA 01566phone:508/347-5960Fax: 508/347-9870Email: [email protected]

George Kelly, chairmanConcerned Fathers of

Massachusetts, Inc.P O Box 2768Springfield, MA 01101-2768phone: 413/736-7432fax: 413/732-3867

MichiganMichiganMichiganMichiganMichiganBarbara Toth, coordinatorCRC of MichiganP O Box 653Edmore, MI 48829-0653517/427-5774

MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesotaBruce Kaskubar, coordinatorCRC of Minnesota5905 Chateau Road N.W.Rochester, MN 55901phone and fax: 507/289-5745 (call before faxing)email:

[email protected]

MissouriMissouriMissouriMissouriMissouriScott Field, chairCRC of Eastern MissouriP.O. Box 220661Kirkwood, MO 63122314/963-4668alt. phones Scott 314/838-7092 Mark Holdenried 314/772-

1169email: [email protected]: http://hometown.aol.com/

crceasternmo/myhomepage/index.html

Jim Moore, presidentCRC of Southwestern Missouri619 E. SilsbySpringfield, MO 65807-phone: 417/889-2121email: [email protected]

Nebraska/IowaNebraska/IowaNebraska/IowaNebraska/IowaNebraska/IowaLyn and William Huerter,

coordinatorsKevin Boston, presidentCRC of NebraskaP O Box 45387Omaha, NE 68145-0387402/330-3353 (voice and fax)email: [email protected]: www.htmp.net/oma

New JerseyNew JerseyNew JerseyNew JerseyNew JerseyEric Purasson, presidentNew Jersey Council for Children’s

Rights(NJCCR)P O Box 195Old Bridge, NJ 08857-0195phone: 973/694-9323email and website: www.njccr.org

New YorkNew YorkNew YorkNew YorkNew YorkKim Boedecker-Frey, coordinatorCRC of New York231 Main Street, Suite 1Vestal, NY 13850phone and fax 607/785-9338

Rafee Kamaal and ElizabethSchnee, co-presidents

CRC of New York City4 West 105th StreetNew York, NY 10025hotline: 212/431-7724 212/864-0318email; [email protected]

Marlin Pierce, presidentCRC of Albany13 Camppagna DriveAlbany, NY 12205phone 518/459-8474

North Carolina/South CarolinaNorth Carolina/South CarolinaNorth Carolina/South CarolinaNorth Carolina/South CarolinaNorth Carolina/South CarolinaFred Wall, Jr. coordinator4701 Wrightsville Ave., Bldg. #1Suite B1Wilmington, NC 28403Phone: 910/350-0688fax: 910/350-0844email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Dan Carrigan, DirectorCenter for Children of Separation

and Divorce4950 Park RoadCharlotte, NC 28209704/522-1331

OhioOhioOhioOhioOhioMargaret Wuwert, coordinatorCRC of OhioCRC of Northwest Ohio2745 Sagamore RoadToledo, OH 43606419/472-1471email: [email protected]

Or contact:Kevin O’BrienP O Box 8805Cincinnati, OH 45208phone: 513/624-7223fax: 513/624-3703email: [email protected]: www.pacegroup.org

James Welty, presidentCRC of Northeast Ohio2804 East Center StN. Kingsville, OH 44068Phone: 440/224-0694

OregonOregonOregonOregonOregonRoy Nolan, coordinatorCRC of OregonP O Box 2095Portland, OR 97208phone: 503/232-8630fax: 503/233-9390

PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaMichael Nieland, M.D. presidentCRC of Pittsburgh1400 Inverness AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15217412/621-0222

Rita A. Jones, presidentBill Clements, treasurerCRC of PhiladelphiaP.O. Box 11413Philadelphia, PA 19111phone: 215/844-2372

Kurt KrusenCRC of Harrisburg/Capitol Region15 Beaver RoadCamp Hill, PA 17011phone: 717/763-0673fax: 717/763-7183

South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina-see North Carolina

TennesseeTennesseeTennesseeTennesseeTennesseeDavid Courson, coordinatorCRC of Tennessee2120 Griffintown RoadWhite Bluff, TN 31708-5207phone and fax: 615/952-2498email: [email protected]

TexasTexasTexasTexasTexasDiana Buffington, coordinatorCRC of Texas18959 Dallas Parkway, #723Dallas, TX 75287phone: 214/485-1518fax: 214/630-1143email: [email protected]:

community.dallasnews.com/dmn/crctx

Children’s Rights Coalition(affiliate)

P,.O. Box 12961Capitol StationAustin, TX 78711-2961fax: 215/499-8056email: [email protected]

VermontVermontVermontVermontVermontcall CRC office

VirginiaVirginiaVirginiaVirginiaVirginiaMurray Steinberg, presidentCRC of Virginia, Richmond

chapter9244 Royal Grant DriveMechanicsville, VA 23116phone: 804/559-7090fax: 804/559-7072email: [email protected]

Paul Robinson, presidentFathers United for Equal Rights

and Women’s CoalitionP O Box 1323Arlington, VA 22210-1323phone: 703/451-8580fax: 703/451-9321email: [email protected]

Washington StateWashington StateWashington StateWashington StateWashington StateJamaica FilgoCRC of WashingtonP.O. Box 222Arlington, WA 98223phone: 425/379-9666email: [email protected]

West VirginiaWest VirginiaWest VirginiaWest VirginiaWest VirginiaGinger Thompson,CRC of West Virginia109 North Arthur DriveCharleston, WV 25312phone: 304/744-6534fax: 304/744-8657email: [email protected]

WisconsinWisconsinWisconsinWisconsinWisconsincontact CRC office

The email address for Family Law Attorney John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr.,John L. Bauserman, Jr., CRC Board Chairman, is [email protected] General Counsel Michael L. Oddenino’s Michael L. Oddenino’s Michael L. Oddenino’s Michael L. Oddenino’s Michael L. Oddenino’s email address is [email protected]. His website is www.oanglaw.com


Platinum Life Members (Contributors of $5,000 or more)

AnonymousAnonymousStuart CochranTerry CadyElliott Diamond

Life Members (Contributors of $500 or more)

Lou AdolfPaul AlexanderWally BabingtonTravis Ballard, J.D.John Bauserman, Sr.Jeff BealDavid BirneySam BrunelliDennis C. BoytimThomas D. Cabot IIIRobert CareySteve ChanCliff ClarkMaureen CorbettCharles D. Deckard

Wiley DobbsJennifer DumasTed EllRobert EisenbartFamily and Society InstituteHayden C. FisbeckTommy FosterMichael Friedman, M.D.Carla GoodwinSteven GlinskiJonathan M. GoodsonTom Greco, J.D., D.D.S.Thomas E. HarriesRobert HeisleyMichael Hirschensohn

Philip HolmanMelvin HotmanRobert KaleopaaAnna D. KellerGeorge KellyPaul LeBonDennis J. LewisThe Levian Foundation,Inc.Israel LichensteinNancy LuchsGary Markoff, M.D.George R. McCaslandMarie T. McManmonPaul Menchetti

CRC thanks all contributors who have joined, renewed their membership, contributed to CRC, or ordered materials fromCRC from November 21, 2000 through April 4, 2001.

Thank you, Contributors!

Ritz MillerJoseph MillingMichael NielandMarc OrlickPNC Mortgage Corp. ofAmericaJohn ReynoldsElina Hum PrattDeborah R.RiggsJack L. RobinsonPaul RobinsonRuth ScheerWilliam SchnellbaecherBrad D. SchultzMark Seymour

Peter SokarisMichael SteeleCharles and Donna StewartRobert K. ThomasAndrew P. UsherVirginia Wellington CabotFoundationSearle WhitneyJohnny P. WilsonRex WrightAndrew Zwernemann

Gold Life Members (Contributors of $2,500 to $4,999)

Kamil BotrosJonathan GoodsonDanielle Thu

Silver Life Members (Contributors of $1,000 to $2,499

Paul AlexanderAsa BaberDon BieniewiczJoan BerkowitzDavid Birney

Piotr BlassRobert BlumenthalRalph and Frances DellaCameraEdward Davidian

David DinnElliott Friedel, M.D.O.T. and Lydia GreenColleen JohnsonBashir Koujacji

Gary MaxwellAnn Marini, M.D.Steven Newell, M.D.Abe PollinGary Santora, D.C.

Lewis SierraJohn Siegmund, J.D.Robert Thomas

Kent & Robin AllenDolores AndrewsRuth ArnoldKevin BaggettGregg BallashGilbert BardigeEileen BarkerDavid BazGreg BeardJay BelmerWalter BendaMary Ellen BergerJoan BerkowitzRebecca BlackRichard BlairLeonard BlayerRichard BogemaDavid BokelFarriel BrittTheodore BrownKevin BruceSam BrunelliDenise BucheliBernhard BurgenerThomas CabotPeter CampbellScott CatererDenise BucheliScott CatererTom Chandell

James CloyesAndrew CreedonJim CurranAnn DavisWiley DobbsPatrick DonohueRobert DrewMichael EllisJerry EmerickGary GarriottGeorge GoodrichCarla GoodwinDonald GordonDennis GuttsmanRichard HaireJohn HanyokSharon HarleyTom HartmanJames HaysCharles HonanBob JaegerRobert JohnsonDanny JohnsonRobert JohnsonRonnie JonesKevin JuneauAmy JuneauGary KaleitaMatt KaplowitzNancy Kellogg

Christopher KenyonKris KlineMichael KruppJudy KutterTom LangeVicki LanskyMinna & Mel LantnerMarcia LebowitzFredric LevinJoshua LevinLoyd LewisMark LovatoGregory LutzFred ManownDennis MatznerLarry McCurdyDorothy McGeeVirginia McKinneySylvia MiottMahesh ModyBob MolineJohn MoneyLawrence MorganLeo MorrisonJoe MotacekSheila Murphy-RussellBarbara NeedhamKenneth NeumannWade NewmanMarc O’Dell

Carole OlsonBim OrrenmaaAlberto OrtizHeather OsborneJohn OstromeckyAnnie OttoDavid PambianchiSamuel Kirk PaynePaul PearlsteinLewis PearsonRichard PeckArthur PoppSerge PrengelJohn PriestleyJohn PriorV RajanMark RosemanDorene RuropLynell SalaKevin SandleitnerS Richard SauberKaren SaulnierRay SaulnierCharles ScottRaymond ShapiroPhyllis SimonClifford SkabinskyJane SloatDavid SmithThomas Smith

Ronald K. Henry, J.D.Michael L. Oddenino, J.D.Donald SmithWilliam A. Toto

David SmithRob & Sandra SnowAlan SpadineJames StantonEdward StephensJackie StewartLee StroudMarion SummersMike TabiszBrian ThomasWilliam van BergLinda Van DykeGretchen WatsonMary WeaverGeorgia WebberJamie & Leslie WeilbacherFrank WeissJames WeltyThomas WilliamsonAudrey WiseRichard WiseMichael WrightC Curtis WrotenMargaret & Ron WuwertTimothy ZimmerlinMichael Zimmerman

A NON-PROFIT, TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND

ASSISTING CHILDREN OF SEPARATION AND DIVORCENon-Profit Organization

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Bumper Sticker• Copy of a National

Conference Pro-ceedings

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• Much, much more!

Yes! I want to join CRC!Yes! I want to join CRC!Yes! I want to join CRC!Yes! I want to join CRC!Yes! I want to join CRC! You will receive aNew Member Packet. Your membership contributionis TAX-DEDUCTIBLETAX-DEDUCTIBLETAX-DEDUCTIBLETAX-DEDUCTIBLETAX-DEDUCTIBLE. I want $15 of my dues ap-plied to the duties of the CRC Chapter in the state of___________________________________________ .

If this does not cover their dues, they will let you know.

Send Application & Contribution to: CRC•300 “I” Street, NE•Suite 401•Washington, DC 200024389

Call 202/547-6227 to charge your membership to VISA/Mastercard or AMEX

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Documents

Country Music Embraces Childrenâ€™s Rights Council