1. Parenting Coordination Practice Matthew J. Sullivan, Ph.D. APA Pre-Convention Institute Matthew J. Sullivan, Ph.D. APA Pre-Convention Institute

2. The Spectrum of Coparenting Work in the Family Courts  Mediation (recommending and non-recommending), coparent counseling, case management, and Parenting Coordination work.  Creation and/or implementation of the Parenting plan  Confidentiality/non-confidentiality  Authority - recommendations/binding decisions  Testifying as neutral expert, quasi-judicial  Relationship to the Court  Mediation (recommending and non-recommending), coparent counseling, case management, and Parenting Coordination work.  Creation and/or implementation of the Parenting plan  Confidentiality/non-confidentiality  Authority - recommendations/binding decisions  Testifying as neutral expert, quasi-judicial  Relationship to the Court

3. Key Common Elements  Structured court-involved process  Protective holding environment for parents  Working alliances in a context of polarities  Benevolent, charismatic Super-Parent  Replaces the tribal elder  Functional link between the parents Engagement is optimized coordinates coparenting information exchange Decision-making upholds the order (depersonalize authority)  Structured court-involved process  Protective holding environment for parents  Working alliances in a context of polarities  Benevolent, charismatic Super-Parent  Replaces the tribal elder  Functional link between the parents Engagement is optimized coordinates coparenting information exchange Decision-making upholds the order (depersonalize authority)

4. PC Role  Definition: Parenting Coordination is a process whereby an impartial third person called a PC helps the parents to implement their parenting plan by facilitating the resolution of disputes between parents and/or legal guardians, providing education, making recommendations to the parties and, with prior approval of the parties and the court, making decisions within the scope of the court appointment

5. The ADR Match for High Conflict Coparents Judge/Therapist/Special Master Unique to PC - Authority, Availability and Knowledge Judge/Therapist/Special Master Unique to PC - Authority, Availability and Knowledge

6. Functions of the PC: Assessment  Assessment  Review of custody evaluation  Review other evaluations/reports  Divorce Impasse, derailing communication  Parenting strengths and weaknesses  Coparenting Skills  Children’s functioning and needs  Assessment  Review of custody evaluation  Review other evaluations/reports  Divorce Impasse, derailing communication  Parenting strengths and weaknesses  Coparenting Skills  Children’s functioning and needs

7. Functions of the PC: Education  Education  Child Development  Short term and long-term needs of the children  Communication skills  Effects of conflict on children  Collaboration strategies  Conflict resolution  Perspective taking  Family Issues (new transitions, relationships)  Education  Child Development  Short term and long-term needs of the children  Communication skills  Effects of conflict on children  Collaboration strategies  Conflict resolution  Perspective taking  Family Issues (new transitions, relationships)

8. Functions of the PC: Coordination/Case Management  Coordination/Case Management  Communication with family members and significant other caretakers  Communication with schools  Communication with therapists  Communication with physicians  Communication with child protection agency  Referrals for treatment, testing  Coordination/Case Management  Communication with family members and significant other caretakers  Communication with schools  Communication with therapists  Communication with physicians  Communication with child protection agency  Referrals for treatment, testing

9. Functions of the PC: Intervention and Conflict Management  Assistance interpreting and implementing court-ordered parenting plan  Dispute Resolution: facilitating agreements, arbitration, referral  Facilitate communication between parties as appropriate  Assistance interpreting and implementing court-ordered parenting plan  Dispute Resolution: facilitating agreements, arbitration, referral  Facilitate communication between parties as appropriate

10. Qualifications of the Parent Coordinator: AFCC Guidelines  Legal, mental health or mediation professional  Practice at least 5 years in that profession with high conflict, litigating parents  A certified/qualified mediator under the rules or laws of that jurisdiction, or completion of at least a 30 hour mediation training course  Legal, mental health or mediation professional  Practice at least 5 years in that profession with high conflict, litigating parents  A certified/qualified mediator under the rules or laws of that jurisdiction, or completion of at least a 30 hour mediation training course

11. Personal Qualifications Organized Fair with sound judgment Tolerant, patient Decisive Ability to set limits (what’s an emergency?) Peer support Critical Listening skills Organized Fair with sound judgment Tolerant, patient Decisive Ability to set limits (what’s an emergency?) Peer support Critical Listening skills

12. Characteristics of PC’s  Predominently Forensic Psychologists  44% Psychologists, 11% attorneys  Experienced  18 years, 8 years PC work  40% of practice devoted to PC work  Kirkland and Sullivan, Family Court Review, October, 2008  Predominently Forensic Psychologists  44% Psychologists, 11% attorneys  Experienced  18 years, 8 years PC work  40% of practice devoted to PC work  Kirkland and Sullivan, Family Court Review, October, 2008

13. PC Survey (cont)  Fees- $20-$400  Retainer - 20 hours  Term  1-3 years  Complaints  11% formal complaints  Fees- $20-$400  Retainer - 20 hours  Term  1-3 years  Complaints  11% formal complaints

14. PC Practice Essentials  Legally sanctioned and defined role  Basis of Authority  Scope of Authority  Procedures - support role functioning  Fees, Retainer, Allocation  Legally sanctioned and defined role  Basis of Authority  Scope of Authority  Procedures - support role functioning  Fees, Retainer, Allocation

15. PC Essentials (cont.)  No confidentiality  Communication, access to information  Objections to recommendations/decisions  Grievances  Terms of Service, withdrawal  No confidentiality  Communication, access to information  Objections to recommendations/decisions  Grievances  Terms of Service, withdrawal

16.  www.californiaparentingcoordinator.com