Updated 6/25/10
OFI- TRAINED PARENT COORDINATORS
Please look at the screen below to find listed PC's we have trained -
When there has been on-going high conflict that is not being resolved by mediation, evaluation or other methods, Parent Coordinators are often selected by the parents, but must be ordered by judges to provide PC services for the case. The role of parent coordinator includes at least five functions:
- Assessment
- Education
- Coordination and case management
- Conflict Management
- Decision-making when the parents can't agree
Payment is made by the parents, or as ordered by the court (some jurisdictions have a way for low-income parents to receive this service paid by the court).
The PC meets with the parents and child as often as is needed, and issues decisions that the parents and child must follow, or the matter is returned to the court. Once ordered to a case by a judge, the PC cannot be discharged without consent of the court.
Parent Coordinators should make their recommendations based on the standards of practice for PC's. In Oregon, we have Guidelines for PC's who are on panels set up by jurisdictions, and we have national standards for PC's developed by an international professional organization, AFCC (The Association for Family and Conciliation Courts.
http://www.janeappell.com/PC-AtoZ-updated.doc.pdf
OFI holds training for professionals to help them undertake this important new role for families and courts. Please see our section on TRAINING.
