Parenting Coordination
What is Parenting Coordination?
- A dispute resolution process that focuses on the children’s needs to minimize repeated returns to court and/or ongoing conflict. Parenting Coordination is a process that combines dispute assessment, case management, parent education, mediation, and if necessary arbitration either by court order or parent consent agreements.
- An alternative way to revise, strengthen and develop adherence to a parenting plan.
- A quicker analysis and resolution of child-related parental disputes.
- Education about developmental needs of the children.
- Ways to communicate and problem-solve in high conflict situations.
- An avenue to rebuilding relationships with estranged or alienated parents.
- A relief and stabilizing alternative to a volatile or adversarial history reducing risk factors for children and stemming the drain on family financial and emotional resources.
Parental Disputes Often Settled by a Parenting Coordinator:
- Parenting schedules, access to children, holidays, vacations, temporary variations, transitions.
- Children’s recreational and enrichment activities.
- Education or daycare issues.
- Health care.
- Religious observances.
- Parenting issues.
- Substance use.
- Role of a significant other.
- Children’s special needs.
Note that a parenting coordinator does not resolve the matter of custody, but may be used on an interim basis to address the implementation of a temporary parenting plan.
Parenting Coordination Is Not:
- A custody evaluation or assessment.
- Therapy or treatment.
- Only mediation.
- Legal representation
Parenting Coordinator Qualifications:
- Mediation Training and Experience
- Licensed Mental Health or Legal Professional in area related to families
- Extensive Practical Experience with high conflict families
- Parenting Coordination Training
- Continuing Education and Peer Consultation
