Parent Coordination

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Parenting coordination is a quasi-legal, mental health, alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) process that combines assessment, education, case management, conflict management and sometimes decision-making functions.

Unlike mediation, parent coordination is non-confidential. As such, in the event the parent coordinator is unable to facilitate a resolution on a particular issue, he or she will reduce a recommendation to a writing, which either party may submit to the court in the event court intervention is sought.

The overall objective of parenting coordination is to assist parents in high conflict to implement their parenting plan, to monitor compliance with the details of the plan, to resolve conflicts regarding their children and the parenting plan in a timely manner. The ultimate goal is to protect and sustain safe, healthy and meaningful parent-child relationships. The overall emphasis is to offer children develop healthy and meaningful parent-child relationships free from the stress of parental conflict.

Generally, the duties of a parenting coordinator include assisting the parties in amicably resolving disputes and reaching agreements about the implementation of and compliance with the court’s order regarding the parenting plan, including, but not limited to the following types of issues:

· Minor changes or clarifications of the existing parenting plan;

· Exchanges of the child or children including the date, time, place, and transportation;

· Education issues, including school choice, tutoring, summer school, and other decisions;

· Extracurricular and enrichment activities including camps and jobs after-school;

· Travel and passport arrangements for a child;

· Clothing, equipment, and personal possessions of the child or children;

· Communications with a child/children by a parent when not in that parent’s care;

· Role of and contact with significant others and extended family members;

· Referrals for mental health assessment and counseling for the child or children;

· Psychological testing or other assessments for a child;

· Religious observances and education;

· Parental education on child focused decision making and appropriate communications;

· Suggest additional resources to help the parents; and

· Assist the parents in identifying and addressing patterns of behavior and developing parenting strategies to manage and reduce conflict to which the children are exposed.