NCJ Number
215894
Journal
Juvenile and Family Justice Today Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2006 Pages: 16-18
Date Published
2006
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses "parenting coordination" as an emerging alternative dispute resolution technique being used to address problems related to "high-conflict families" and high-volume, inadequately resourced family court systems.
Abstract
"Parenting coordination" aims to assist high-conflict parents in implementing their parenting plan, monitoring compliance with plan details, resolving conflicts related to the children and the parenting plan, and ensuring safe and healthy parent-child relationships. The role of the parenting coordinator is not to make major decisions that would change legal or physical custody from one parent to the other or that would substantially change a parenting plan or court order. The parenting coordinator is given authority by the court to resolve or offer recommendations on such parenting issues as health care management, child-rearing, education or daycare, religious observances, education, children's travel arrangements, communication between parents about the children, the role of and contact with significant others and the extended family, substance abuse assessment, and parenting classes. If a case involves domestic violence, the parenting coordinator must have received training in the complex issues involved. The primary focus of the parent coordinator in such cases is the safety of abused parents and their children. The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts' "Guidelines for Parenting Coordination" specifies practices and procedures for parenting coordination in cases with domestic violence, distinguishing them from practices in high-conflict cases. These guidelines are outlined in this article. The authors note that an area where more guidance is needed is in screening cases for domestic violence. 31 notes