Parenting Coordination

We offer this specialized service that includes mediation, education, coaching, and at times, a referral to arbitration between parties who are in conflict about the needs of their children or how to meet those needs in separation and divorce cases. Parenting Coordination (PC) is a dispute resolution service for low, moderate or high conflict couples who don't always see eye to eye on issues related to their children.. A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is usually a mental health professional such as a social worker or psychologist. The PC has experience with and knowledge of separation/divorce, conflict resolution, family systems, child development, and domestic violence, to name just a few areas.

Assessors, parents or lawyers will refer clients to a PC when the parents need ongoing assistance to resolve issues as they arise, well beyond what any court order can address or resolve. It helps the parties to further define or interpret the terms of the order or agreement and to work out issues not addressed by those documents as they come up. This service can be implemented at the point of separation, as a service agreed upon by the parties, or it can be part of any ongoing intervention by way of Minutes of Settlement or court order.

The PC acts as a coach/educator/facilitator who attempts to minimize parental conflict and enhance parallel parenting, cooperation, and mutual respect. This involves helping parents to develop more effective problem solving skills and strategies, to communicate better with each other, and to understand relevant child development principles. Whenever possible, a major goal is to help parents develop better skills so they do not need a PC. The other function is to assist parents to implement, maintain and comply with their Parenting Plan. If there is a dispute and the parents cannot come to a mutual agreement, either on their own or with the assistance of the PC, the PC can cause the parties to attend arbitration. The arbitrator will make final and binding decisions in keeping with the children's best interests for matters that are not designated otherwise in the Parenting Plan. The parties can attend to an arbitrator at PCCS or elsewhere. The arbitration award is binding and the PC would be given a copy of it in order to monitor the parties' implementation of it. The PC does not attend to decisions about custody, relocation and the overall access time a parent has with the child, other than those changes that are of a minor and temporary nature.

Parents may want to hire a PC when disagreements persist and coordination of the parenting role is poor. It may be helpful in families where anger and resentment persists, where parents have difficulty sharing child-related information in an effective and child-focused manner, or where there is concern about mental health, drugs, alcohol, child abuse or stability. PC may be helpful to those who reside in the same home but need to resolve interim arrangements. PC may be useful to families with young children when the Parenting Plans include schedules that change incrementally over time. The PC assists the parents to implement the evolving parenting time schedule, making minor adjustments in accordance with the children's best interests.

Many, although not all families, have already participated in a custody/access assessment. All families will have a Parenting Plan. Some of these plans require more specification and clarification, which can be accomplished in PC.

The PC will have full access to any reports and documentation that may be relevant, as well as to any other professionals, who have been and/or continue to be involved with the family. Meetings with the parents and sometimes the children in various combinations may be regular, or, on an as needed basis when a problem arises. When a dispute occurs the parents are unable to resolve on their own, the PC will attempt to assist them by providing support, education, and faciliation. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the PC refers the parties to arbitration.

The term of the PC agreement is usually anywhere between 12 to 36 months. Sometimes this service is required until the children reach the age of eighteen. If both parents want to terminate the PC service, together they can do so. However, if one parent wishes to terminate, that is not possible until the term is complete. If the PC comes to the conclusion that he/she is not helpful the PC can withdraw. Payment for this service is on retainer.