Updated 10/10/11

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

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.

Updated 12/14/11

FINDING A PARENT COORDINATOR

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

SFLAC Guidelines issued in 2010 for courts referring or ordering to PC indicate that the PC should have:
- A Master's or higher degree, either in mental health fields, or in law
- Specialized training for the role of PC
- Training in domestic relations mediation (40 hours, meeting the state minimum qualifications
- Be licensed to practice and in good standing as either a mental health professional or as an attorney

Most PC's require a that the clients get a court order specifically naming the PC, and the order should also specify how long the PC appointment will last, who pays, and the scope of the PC's role for decision-making.

The following professionals have participated in the 2-day, 13 hour OFI-sponsored PC 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. The professionals listed below understand how different the PC's role is from the role of therapist, advising attorney, advocate, mediator, arbitrator or case manager. Costs vary among providers. Contact the practitioner directly.

PLEASE CONTACT EACH PROVIDER WELL IN ADVANCE TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE TAKING NEW CASES BEFORE SECURING A COURT ORDER NAMING THEM AS YOUR PC.

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

Information                                                   Area of Practice                                    Contact

   PORTLAND AREA AND SALEM

Dr. Ed Vien, Psy. D.       Portland area                                            503-274-7701
Licensed Psychologist

Alison Taylor, M.A., LPC             Washington County/Portland                   503-539-0581
Licensed Professional Counselor
alisontaylor@nfine.net

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

Zvi Strassberg, Ph.D.                         Portland                         503-594-6868
Licensed Psychologist
zstrassberg@comcast.net

Gary MacKendrick, LPC, LMFT           Forest Grove (Salem)                             503-310-7704
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
gwk1515@frontier.net

Wendy Bourg Ransford
Licensed Psychologist                            Portland area                                         503-972-9806
wbourg@summitnetwork.com

Michael Alter, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker             Portland area                                         503-819-9861
malter@parentingmatterspdx.com

Julia Rice, MA-MFT, JD                             Salem                                    503-507-0594
OR Licensed Attorney
ricemediation@gmail.com

Kris Cavanaugh, LPC Portland area 503-295-7974
Licensed Professional Counselor
kriscav@comcast.net

Landon Poppleton, Ph.D.                     Vancouver WA area                              360-910-1522
Licensed Psychologist                             Portland OR area                                 503-850-4072
landonp@nwfamilypsychology.com

Michael Hohn, Ph.D.    Portland area 971-212-6575
Licensed Psychologist
doctorhohn@gmail.com

                                                     BEND/CENTRAL OREGON

Carol Palmer                                          Bend area                                              541-480-0667
carollpalmer@earthlink.net

Alyssa C. Reveles                                 Bend Area                                              541-350-9062
alyssareveles@bendbroadband.com

Bethany Powers Flint, J.D.                   Bend Area                                             541-318-0221
Licensed OR Attorney
beth@bendfamilymediation.com

                                                               OR COAST

Mary Jo Wood, MS, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor 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