“Parenting Coordination is a hybrid legal-mental health role that combines assessment, education, case management, conflict management, dispute resolution, and at times, decision-making functions. Parenting Coordination is a child-focused process conducted by a licensed mental health or family law professional, or a certified, qualified or regulated family law mediator under the rules or laws of their jurisdiction with practical professional experience with high conflict family cases. The Parenting Coordinator (“PC”) assists coparents engaged in high conflict coparenting to implement their parenting plan.
Parenting Coordination is for parents who are unable or unwilling to jointly make parenting decisions, communicate effectively, comply with parenting agreements and orders or shield their children from the impact of parental conflict. A Parenting Coordinator makes recommendations and, if authorized, legally binding decisions for co-parents and may report to the court; therefore a PC should be appointed by and accountable to the court” (AFCC Guidelines for Parenting Coordination, 2019).
Both parents should agree to the use of a PC and PC may not be appropriate if there are allegations of intimate partner violence.
Parenting Coordination is for parents who are unable or unwilling to jointly make parenting decisions, communicate effectively, comply with parenting agreements and orders or shield their children from the impact of parental conflict. A Parenting Coordinator makes recommendations and, if authorized, legally binding decisions for co-parents and may report to the court; therefore a PC should be appointed by and accountable to the court” (AFCC Guidelines for Parenting Coordination, 2019).
Both parents should agree to the use of a PC and PC may not be appropriate if there are allegations of intimate partner violence.
Reunification
The reunification process differs from therapy, mediation, custody evaluation, and legal representation in the following important ways:
The duties of a reunification specialist include, but are not limited to:
- Though I am a licensed therapist, there is no therapist/client privilege.
- The reunification process is not confidential.
- Insurance companies do not reimburse for reunification services because the focus is not on a diagnostic issue.
- If a mental health diagnosis is identified, I will assess that as a factor in the reunification process and refer for treatment if necessary.
- In addition, the scope of reunification is limited to matters concerning your child or children in the context of the entire family system. Though you may have understandable grievances from the past or object to present actions by a parent, the focus of reunification is concerned only with how that behavior affects the child now; positive, negative or neutral.
- It is expected that both parents will maintain a respectful tone during discussion with me and each other, make good faith effort toward cooperation, and prioritize the interests of the child over other competing concerns.
The duties of a reunification specialist include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment of the relationship conflict between the estranged parent and child.
- Facilitating a plan for reunification that serves the child’s best interest.
- Supporting cooperation among parties involved.
- Guiding collaborative parenting to reduce risk of further estrangement.
- Monitoring compliance with court orders.
- Providing parents, attorneys, and the court with recommendations pertaining to the status and progress of reunification.
- Help implement new or modified parenting time provisions ordered by the court or agreed to by parents.
Supervised Parenting Time
There are occasions when, for a variety of reasons, parenting time needs supervision. Our team includes supervisors who can provide all parents and custodians involved with the children the assurance of knowing any visitation will be supportive of the children and their needs. We will provide supervision in a neutral community or a home-based environment and reporting that is factual, accurate and timely.
Our Supervisors are trained, CPR- and first aid-certified, and must pass a background check. Supervisors strive to be unobtrusive, while always prioritizing the safety, security and appropriate behavior of all involved. Our supervisors will not act as therapists, child development specialists, attorneys or advocates; they are observers and reporters. They are ears and eyes into an otherwise opaque interaction. Contact Rena Fox if you are interested in learning more.
Our Supervisors are trained, CPR- and first aid-certified, and must pass a background check. Supervisors strive to be unobtrusive, while always prioritizing the safety, security and appropriate behavior of all involved. Our supervisors will not act as therapists, child development specialists, attorneys or advocates; they are observers and reporters. They are ears and eyes into an otherwise opaque interaction. Contact Rena Fox if you are interested in learning more.