Parenting Facilitation and Coordination

Parenting Facilitation

Whether by agreement or appointment, this service requires a court order signed by a judge. Parenting Facilitation, also known as case management, is a problem-solving service offered to parents raising children between homes who seek professional assistance in working together to keep their children free from the parents’ conflict. This service in not therapeutic, but instead Parenting Facilitation is a child-centered dispute resolution service that assists parents in developing and implementing workable parenting plans when they are unable to do so on their own. Our parenting facilitation process uses an education based, team model with Cecilia Powers, LCSW-S and Bradley S. Craig, LMSW-IPR, CFLE. Both individuals are parenting facilitators, so in each case, both will serve the parents, one as a parenting facilitator and the other as a communication coach. The parenting facilitator and communication coach work to educate parents, meet jointly with both parents to develop an ongoing plan, monitor communications through Our Family Wizard, and assign tasks for parents as needed such as homework. 

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The parenting facilitator's duties are limited to matters that will aid the parties in the following areas:

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1. identifying disputed issues;

2. reducing misunderstandings;

3. clarifying priorities;

4. exploring possibilities for problem solving;

5. developing methods of collaboration in parenting;

6. understanding parenting plans and reaching agreement about parenting issues to be included in a parenting plan;

7. complying with the court’s order regarding conservatorship or possession of and access to the child;

8. implementing parenting plans;

9. obtaining training regarding problem solving, conflict management, and parenting skills;

10. settling disputes regarding parenting issues and reaching a proposed joint resolution or statement of intent regarding these disputes; and

11. monitor the parties’ compliance with court orders. 

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The Parenting Facilitator may do this by reviewing written evaluations and reports, and talking with other significant individuals involved with the family (doctors, therapists, school personnel, lawyers, etc.) The Parenting Facilitator will meet with the parents jointly, and communicate by fax, email, or ourfamilywizard.com. Home visits may be made to both parents homes. The Parenting Facilitator can write status reports to the court as needed and defined in the order, testify in court, and maintain contact with other professionals, and will be present during hearings. The Parenting Facilitator may make recommendations to the parents but may not include recommendations regarding conservatorship of or possession or access to the subject child(ren). 

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INSTRUCTIONS

Parenting facilitation is a non-confidential process in which all documentation is transparent. This protects the process and does not allow one parent to attempt to align the parenting facilitator "on their side" or "with their point of view" prior to the initial session. Do not e-mail or otherwise communicate with Ms. Powers or Mr. Craig regarding the history of your case, your concerns regarding the other parent, or other relevant information prior to your initial session, though you are encouraged to address your concerns on your personal data form. 

 

In order to begin services with families, the following 7 fully completed forms must be on file for each adult along with a copy of the Order and the retainers:

1. a fully completed personal data form

2. attorney release form

3. mental health professional release form

4. medical release form

5. consent for teleservices

6. a completed service form

7. a non-altered signed copy of the advisement form with initials on each page

8. a copy of the court order appointing Mr. Craig or Ms. Powers as the parenting facilitator

9. $1000.00 retainer from each parent. If Ms. Powers is appointed as parenting facilitator, please make payment via Zelle using the email address cecilia@texomafamilyandcourtservices.com. Please include a cover note with the last name of the child(ren), service you are paying for, cause number, and name of the person the payment is for. 

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Please deliver each complete form (not separate pages of each form) separately via .pdf scan to cecilia@texomafamilyandcourtservices.com OR  brad@childreninthemiddle.com. Once all the forms are fully completed and on file by both parents and the retainers have been paid, an initial appointment letter will be sent to the parents to schedule the initial joint appointment. Sessions are held virtually between the hours of 9 to 5 M-Th. Because of the nature of high conflict families, it is important for us to maintain a written paper trail so phone calls will not be returned. If you have questions, please send questions in e-mail. 

 

Please do not send paper copies of information as we maintain digital files. If you mail your documents, you will be charged the rate of $250.00 per hour for time spent scanning documents in to digital format so you are encouraged to fax or scan your material. 

 

Do NOT provide further information unless requested or approved by Ms. Powers or Mr. Craig in advance.