Parent Facilitation & Parent Coordination Services

Lisa understands and can empathize with the dynamics that may come along with co-parenting and blended families. You will often hear the phrase, “high conflict co-parents” in the family court and family law arena. As a parent facilitator and parent coordinator, Lisa acts as an unbiased neutral third party and views co-parents as two separate people “experiencing high-conflict” situations regarding their child(ren). Lisa aims to treat each parent with an equal amount of respect, making sure their perspectives are heard on matters, while at the same time advocating for the best interest of their child(ren).

The roles and duties of a parent facilitator and parent coordinator are similar with one main difference. The work that is done with a parent facilitator is not confidential and can be used as testimony in court. While the work done with a parent coordinator is strictly confidential. A parent facilitator and/or parent coordinator cannot modify or change a court ordered agreement. As a parent facilitator/coordinator, Lisa will examine a case and follow the orders of the court to assist the parents in compliance with the orders. She may also assist the parents in enhancing their coparenting relationship. Parent facilitation/coordination is an attempt to coordinate and implement a co-parenting plan that addresses current and future issues related to raising children between two homes.

Parent Facilitation & Coordination

Roles & Duties of a Parent Facilitator/Coordinator

  • Acts as an intermediary on co-parent communication platforms such as Our Family Wizard, Coparently, Talking Parents, etc
  • Educate co-parents on effective communication skills
  • Aid in coordinating parenting plans which prioritize the best interest of the child(ren)
  • Mediate and strategize interventions in high-conflict situations
  • Implement conflict resolution techniques during disputes
  • Provide thorough documentation and reports to attorneys and the courts, ensuring transparency and accountability. (This is strictly the duty of a Parent Facilitator and not that of a Parent Coordinator.)

Benefits of a Parent
Facilitator/Coordinator

  • Safe environment for each parent to have their perspectives heard on matters
  • Advocating for the best interest of their child(ren).
  • Proactive approach in cultivating healthy conversations between co-parents on topics covered inside and outside a custody agreement.
  • Reduce future conflict
  • Increase collaborative co-parenting relationship
  • Decrease continual legal action inside and outside the courtroom
  • Ultimately spares the emotional stress for the child(ren).

Parent Facilitator Protocols

The role of the parent facilitator/coordinator is to help parents reach successful resolution of disagreements regarding parenting issues themselves. In parent facilitation cases specifically and if authorized to do so by court order, the parent facilitator may also make recommendations (other than those related to possession, custody, or access to a child) for the parents, in the event the parents are unable to agree on solutions. Parent facilitation does not involve adults’ property, finances, or other issues that do not directly involve coparenting.

Additional information may be required depending on the order of the Court. After a case has been accepted for services, co-parents or their lawyers must then provide any unaltered pertinent reports in electronic format via e-mail. These may include additional intake information, affidavit material, records regarding either parent, records regarding the children, correspondence, reports, prior assessments, etc. These may be reviewed prior to setting meetings and charged to the parties.

Parent Facilitation requires coordination with the court. Monthly updates will be written and sent to attorneys and the judge with an associated fee.

Homework may be assigned and reviewed at the next session. All members of the family will be involved at Lisa’s discretion, unless specified by the court. Some sessions will be individual, some will be with both coparents, some will involve other members of the family, including children and non-coparent adults.

By the way of a release, all mental health professionals, judicial staff, attorneys, ad litems, visitation supervisors, medical professionals, child care providers, educators, day cares, and significant others involved, and previous or current custody evaluators are authorized to disclose information directly to the parent facilitator. In turn, the parenting facilitator is authorized to discuss significant information with these individuals or service providers in order to assist in the process.

Lisa offers 30 minute consultations for both parent facilitation and parent coordination services at no cost. Communication between co-parents/guardians and Lisa must be in person or in writing for clarity.