Updated 2/19/07


OFI- TRAINED PARENT COORDINATORS

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: 
 Parent Coordinators are often selected by agreement of the parents and their attorneys, but must be ordered by judges to provide PC services for the case.  

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.   A brief article by another Parent Coordinator that explains the complex role is at this site:

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. 


Please look at the next screen where we list the PC's we have trained who are providing services. 



Updated 2/19/08

FINDING A PARENT COORDINATOR


While many professionals could function as a Parent Coordinator, it is important that they understand the differences of this role. 

The following professionals have participated in the 13 hour OFI-sponsored training, where the role, standards of practice and ethics, state and national guidelines, and models of practice for this new role have been discussed. 

We make their referral  information available to help parents, attorneys and other professionals find qualified practitioners who understand how different  the PC's role is from the role of therapist, advising attorney, advocate, mediator, arbitrator or case manager.  You may contact them directly.

OFI DOES NOT OFFICIALLY EMPLOY OR CONTRACT, ENDORSE, SUPERVISE OR MONITOR THESE PROFESSIONALS. 

                                                             Area of Practice                                    Contact Information

Dr. Ed Vien, Psy. D.   (Instructor)         Portland                                                  503-274-7701
                                                                                                                       viened@aol.com

Alison Taylor, M.A., LPC                     Hillsboro/Portland                                  503-539-0581
                                                                                                                       alisontaylor@nfine.net

Keith Linn, Psy. D.                                Portland                                                  503-222-5212
                                                                                                                       keithilinn@netzero.com

Zvi Strassberg,  Ph.D.                            Portland                                                  503-222-5520
                                                                                                                       zstrassberg@comcast.net

Mary Jo Wood                                       Tillamook (Central Coast)                       503 842-1201
                                                                                                                      mjwood@oregoncoast.com                    
Jane Means                                           Astoria (North Coast)                             503-338-9777 
                                                                                                                       janemeans@msn.com

Tom Means                                           Astoria (North Coast)                              503-338-2210
                                                                                                                       tommeans66@msn.com