PARENTING COORDINATION:PARENTING COORDINATION:DOES ONE MODEL FIT ALL?DOES ONE MODEL FIT ALL?

AFCC ANNUAL CONFERENCEAFCC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, D.C.WASHINGTON, D.C.

May 30, 2007May 30, 2007

INSTITUTE WILL BEINSTITUTE WILL BE

InteractiveInteractive

Focused on models, ethics, and legal Focused on models, ethics, and legal issues rather than “how to’s”issues rather than “how to’s”

Based upon the experience of the four Based upon the experience of the four presenters and of the participants.presenters and of the participants.

AFCC INSTRUMENTAL IN AFCC INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTING DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTING

COORDINATIONCOORDINATION

First Task Force on Parenting CoordinationFirst Task Force on Parenting Coordination

2003 Report on Implementation Issues2003 Report on Implementation Issues

Second Task Force on Parenting CoordinationSecond Task Force on Parenting Coordination2005 AFCC Guidelines 2005 AFCC Guidelines

Ongoing training in parenting coordinationOngoing training in parenting coordination

PARENTING COORDINATION IS:PARENTING COORDINATION IS:(AFCC Guidelines for Parenting (AFCC Guidelines for Parenting

Coordination, 2005)Coordination, 2005)

A child-focused alternative dispute A child-focused alternative dispute resolution process resolution process

in which a mental health or legal in which a mental health or legal professional with mediation training professional with mediation training and experience and experience

assists high conflict parents to assists high conflict parents to implement their parenting plan implement their parenting plan

by facilitating the resolution of their disputes by facilitating the resolution of their disputes in a timely manner, in a timely manner,

educating parents about children’s needs, educating parents about children’s needs,

and with prior approval of the parties and/or and with prior approval of the parties and/or the court, the court,

making decisions within the scope of the making decisions within the scope of the court order or appointment contract. court order or appointment contract.

History of Parenting History of Parenting CoordinationCoordination

Colorado Colorado

CaliforniaCalifornia

Other statesOther states

StatutesStatutes

Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, North CarolinaTexas, Minnesota, North Carolina

Pending in Massachusetts and ?Pending in Massachusetts and ?

Vetoed in Florida, but being instituted Vetoed in Florida, but being instituted by Supreme Court ruleby Supreme Court rule

Related statutes/rules in Arizona, Related statutes/rules in Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, New California, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, Vermont, ?Mexico, North Carolina, Vermont, ?

PC Also Known As:PC Also Known As:

Special MasterSpecial Master

Med-ArbiterMed-Arbiter

WisepersonWiseperson

Custody CommissionerCustody Commissioner

Parenting RefereeParenting Referee

Family Court AdvisorFamily Court Advisor

Goals of Parenting CoordinationGoals of Parenting Coordination

Minimize chronic conflictMinimize chronic conflict

Focus and educate parents on the needs of Focus and educate parents on the needs of their childrentheir children

Reduce litigationReduce litigation

Improve communicationImprove communication

Decision-makingDecision-making

Appoint PC When:Appoint PC When:

Ongoing disagreements about Ongoing disagreements about implementation of parenting planimplementation of parenting plan

Parties agree to use a PC to reduce Parties agree to use a PC to reduce cost and burden of continued litigationcost and burden of continued litigation

In some states Court can appoint In some states Court can appoint without parents’ agreement if history of without parents’ agreement if history of extreme or unremitting conflict.extreme or unremitting conflict.

WHO CAN BE PARENTING WHO CAN BE PARENTING COORDINATORS?COORDINATORS?

QualificationsQualifications

TrainingTraining

(G-I.) QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED (G-I.) QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO BE A PCTO BE A PC

Basic mediation training and experience as a Basic mediation training and experience as a family mediatorfamily mediator

Licensed mental health or legal professional Licensed mental health or legal professional or certified family mediator with master’s or certified family mediator with master’s degree in a mental health fielddegree in a mental health field

Extensive practical experience in the Extensive practical experience in the profession with high conflict or litigating profession with high conflict or litigating parentsparents

Training In:Training In:

– Child developmentChild development

– Family systemsFamily systems

– Effects of divorce on childrenEffects of divorce on children

– Dynamics of powerDynamics of power

– Relevant LawRelevant Law

Training In: Training In: (2)(2)

– High conflictHigh conflict

– Parenting coordination skills, Parenting coordination skills, interventions and processinterventions and process

– Domestic violenceDomestic violence

– Divorce impasse issues Divorce impasse issues

Ongoing TrainingOngoing Training

Continuing educationContinuing education

Consultation/SupervisionConsultation/Supervision

MentoringMentoring

““Grandfather” existing professionals Grandfather” existing professionals with appropriate experiencewith appropriate experience