"An alternative to running back to court".
A (PC) is a child-centered professional who helps conflicted co-parents make decisions in their children's best interests. A PC usually functions with the court's authority for a specific period (a renewable two year agreement is common). The PC is available on an as-needed basis to investigate a specific conflicted question, to meet with each parent (with or without their partners), the child(ren) and/or with the co-parents in order to mediate an outcome. In those instances in which mediation fails, the PC is empowered to make a decision for the co-parents.
My clients use a communication site called Family Wizard for ALL Communication outside the office with each other and myself in order to work on communication skills, provide accountability (avoids he said/she said circumstances) and become child centered co-parents.
Parenting Coordinators are typically useful when co-parents who share legal decision-making authority cannot resolve an upcoming major life decision for the child(ren). Examples include:
Qualifications & Responsibilities of the Parenting Coordinator
Qualifications include training and experience in the following different disciplines: 1) family systems theory, 2) adult psychotherapy, 3) developmental psychology, 4) divorce recovery, 5) children's adjustment issues specific to divorce, 6) conflict resolution, 7) mediation techniques, 8) communication theory, 9) legal aspects of divorce, and 10) domestic violence 11) co-parenting techniques 12) 40 hours Domestic Mediation Training 13) Parenting Coordination training
The role of the parent coordinator is to assist both parents and any significant others resolve conflict in a manner that is beneficial to their child(ren). The parenting coordinator has full discretion regarding program implementation including but not limited to:
A $750 retainer is required by each party. This will cover PC Memos to attorneys, collaboration with other sources (GAL, Schools, Attorneys, etc), email/phone call contacts with each client and the first year of Family Wizard. Clients will be responsibloe for renewing the Family Wizard site after this. Clients will be notified when their retainers are close to depletion and will have 1 week to provide a $500 retainer. The retainer does not cover in office sessions.***Retainers must be maintained or services will be placed on hold.
In addition,each party will pay $120 year to be registered with FAMILYWIZARD.COM. This is a yearly fee and is nonrefundable. Each party will be instructed on how this will be utilized as part of the PC process.
Individual and joint session fees are $150 hour and due at the time of service. If both parties are present then the cost is still $150 hour and the fee is divided 50/50 unless a court order identifies a different percentage to be split. Insurance companies will not pay for this service.
A court order which identifies how contacts with the child(ren) are to be paid is requested otherwise the fee is divided 50/50. The party not bringing the child to the appointment will need to have a credit card on file or pay for services in advance.
A (PC) is a child-centered professional who helps conflicted co-parents make decisions in their children's best interests. A PC usually functions with the court's authority for a specific period (a renewable two year agreement is common). The PC is available on an as-needed basis to investigate a specific conflicted question, to meet with each parent (with or without their partners), the child(ren) and/or with the co-parents in order to mediate an outcome. In those instances in which mediation fails, the PC is empowered to make a decision for the co-parents.
My clients use a communication site called Family Wizard for ALL Communication outside the office with each other and myself in order to work on communication skills, provide accountability (avoids he said/she said circumstances) and become child centered co-parents.
Parenting Coordinators are typically useful when co-parents who share legal decision-making authority cannot resolve an upcoming major life decision for the child(ren). Examples include:
- Elective surgery
- School placement
- Special education enrollment
- Summer activities, camps and travel
- Relocation issues
- Visitation, transition and contact issues
- Counseling
Qualifications & Responsibilities of the Parenting Coordinator
Qualifications include training and experience in the following different disciplines: 1) family systems theory, 2) adult psychotherapy, 3) developmental psychology, 4) divorce recovery, 5) children's adjustment issues specific to divorce, 6) conflict resolution, 7) mediation techniques, 8) communication theory, 9) legal aspects of divorce, and 10) domestic violence 11) co-parenting techniques 12) 40 hours Domestic Mediation Training 13) Parenting Coordination training
The role of the parent coordinator is to assist both parents and any significant others resolve conflict in a manner that is beneficial to their child(ren). The parenting coordinator has full discretion regarding program implementation including but not limited to:
- Modification of time sharing plans (visitation). (It is understood that the parent coordinator cannot change overall time sharing or the legal custody status of the children).
- Recommend Counseling and provide names of therapists for any parties involved in the evaluation process. (PC will request insurance provider lists and identify therapists who have skills in the area of referral need and who are willing to work cooperatively with the PC/and Court System).
- Request Psychological Evaluations. (PC will request insurance provider lists and identify evaluators who have skills in the area of referral need and who are willing to work cooperatively with the PC/and Court System.
- Recommend Temporary Supervised Visitation and provide referral sources.
A $750 retainer is required by each party. This will cover PC Memos to attorneys, collaboration with other sources (GAL, Schools, Attorneys, etc), email/phone call contacts with each client and the first year of Family Wizard. Clients will be responsibloe for renewing the Family Wizard site after this. Clients will be notified when their retainers are close to depletion and will have 1 week to provide a $500 retainer. The retainer does not cover in office sessions.***Retainers must be maintained or services will be placed on hold.
In addition,each party will pay $120 year to be registered with FAMILYWIZARD.COM. This is a yearly fee and is nonrefundable. Each party will be instructed on how this will be utilized as part of the PC process.
Individual and joint session fees are $150 hour and due at the time of service. If both parties are present then the cost is still $150 hour and the fee is divided 50/50 unless a court order identifies a different percentage to be split. Insurance companies will not pay for this service.
A court order which identifies how contacts with the child(ren) are to be paid is requested otherwise the fee is divided 50/50. The party not bringing the child to the appointment will need to have a credit card on file or pay for services in advance.