“More of a Street Cop Than a Detective”: An Analysis of the Roles and Functions of Parenting Coordinators in North Carolina

Abstract

This research project examined roles and functions of parenting coordinators (PCs) identified by AFCC's Guidelines for Parenting Coordination and other literature. The researcher used a semi-structured interview schedule that included information about practices, procedures, and a series of five case-based vignettes that contained commonly occurring ethical and legal dilemmas in PC practice. The results found that PCs generally saw their role as enforcers of existing orders and primarily used skills in conflict management, parent education, and information coordination with other professionals. PCs would use arbitration powers to make minor decisions or refer to court as a last resort.f cre_1343 698..709

Evaluating Parenting Coordination Programs: Encouraging Results From Pilot Testing a Research Methodology

“…The first published empirical studies addressed the roles and practices of parenting coordinators and appeared in a special issue of a journal, Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues and Practices (Beck et al, 2008;Kirkland & Sullivan, 2008;Lally & Higuchi, 2008). One additional empirical study assessing the roles and functions of parenting coordinators appeared later (Hayes, 2010), and only one published study addresses the efficiency of a PC program (Henry et al, 2009).…”

E‐mails, Statutes, and Personality Disorders: A Contextual Examination of the Processes, Interventions, and Perspectives of Parenting Coordinators

“…The specific techniques used to carry out the roles and functions are not well understood. Hayes (2010, p. 708) refers to these techniques and interventions as the “key characteristics” of the PC process.…”

“…Research (Beck et al., 2008; Fieldstone, Carter, King & McHale, 2011; Kirkland & Sullivan, 2008; Lally & Higuchi, 2008; Hayes, 2010) shows that PCs are experienced practitioners in their own specific law, mental health, and conflict professions. They have significant experience working with high‐conflict families in the court system or private practice and ground their practices in current best practice models (typically AFCC), local rules, and state legislation (Kirkland, 2008).…”

“…PCs report using diverse conflict intervention skills including education, mediation, investigation, and decision‐making (arbitration). They frequently work closely with associated professionals, such as Guardians ad litem , custody evaluators, and therapists, who are also working toward the same goals (Beck, et al., 2008; Hayes, 2010; Kirkland & Sullivan, 2008; Lally & Higuchi, 2008).…”

“…Deutsch & Pruett, 2009: Kelly & Johnson, 2008; Sandler, Miles, Cookston, & Braver, 2008). Research has also demonstrated that PCs are more likely to interact with clients through telephone and email (Beck et al., 2008; Fieldstone et al., 2011; Hayes, 2010), which do not require face‐to‐face sessions used in dispute resolution interventions such as mediation or arbitration. It is important to understand the differences in “process” and “sessions” because of the use of email over more traditional face to face sessions.…”