AFCC eNEWS - February 2008

AFCC eNEWS - February 2008 Report on Domestic Violence and Family Courts Project; Top Ten Tips for New Parenting Coordinators and More!

Sneak Preview: Report on Wingspread Conference on Domestic Violence and Family Courts
The Report from the Wingspread Conference on Domestic Violence and Family Courts is now available on the AFCC Web site. Written by Conference Reporters, Professors Nancy Ver Steegh and Clare Dalton, the Report will be the centerpiece of a special issue of Family Court Review in July 2008. The conference was cosponsored by AFCC and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and work developed by conference participants will be featured at the AFCC 45th Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC.
Read report (PDF)...

AFCC 45th Annual Conference - Register Today!
Register today for AFCC's 45th Annual Conference, May 28-31, 2008 in Vancouver, BC. Early bird registration expires March 7. Last year’s conference sold out, so reserve your space now. You can register online at http://www.afccnet.org/ or complete and return the registration form in the conference brochure. The conference hotel, the Westin Bayshore, is sold out during the conference. If you wish to stay at the Westin we encourage you to contact the hotel directly at (604) 682-3377 and put your name on the waitlist. AFCC has secured a limited number of additional hotel rooms. For more information on lodging options in Vancouver please click the link below.
Alternate lodging options...

Apply for a Conference Scholarship
AFCC is offering twenty-five conference scholarships to its 45th Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC. The application deadline is February 29, 2008. A limited number of scholarships will be designated to Court Services professionals, graduate students and professionals in the Greater Vancouver area. International scholarships with travel stipends will also be offered. The scholarship application can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Online scholarship application...

Call for Presenters
Eighth International Symposium on Child Custody Evaluations
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Call for Presenters for the Eighth International Symposium on Child Custody Evaluations, September 25-27, 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico is available online. If you are interested in participating as a presenter, please submit a proposal before May 1, 2008.
Call for Presenters (PDF)...

AFCC Five-Year Report Available Online
Since 1963, AFCC has grown from a small group of volunteers to a robust professional association. In 2001, AFCC implemented sweeping changes to its governance structure; in 2002 the association restructured the administration; and in 2003-2004 AFCC developed and implemented an ambitious five-year strategic plan. The results of these efforts are contained in the AFCC Five-Year Report, which chronicles the development of AFCC from fiscal years 2002-03 through 2006-07.
Read report (PDF)...

NEW ASK THE EXPERTS
Top Ten Tips for New Parenting Coordinators
What is the best advice veteran parenting coordinators have for those who are new to this emerging field of practice? AFCC eNEWS asked experienced parenting coordinators Christie Coates, Robin Deutsch, Barbara Jo Fidler, Joan B. Kelly, Arnie Shienvold and Matt Sullivan.
Read their Top Ten Tips for New Parenting Coordinators...

Do you have a question that you would like answered by an AFCC expert? Let us know and your question could be answered in the next AFCC eNEWS.
Click here to email us your question!

FEATURED VIDEO INTERVIEW
Mediate.com Featured Video with Jay Folberg
courtesy of Mediate.com
Mediate.com and the AFCC eNEWS are pleased to present Views from the Eye of the Storm, interviews with leading experts in family mediation. This month we are featuring Jay Folberg, Professor Emeritus at University of San Francisco School of Law and former AFCC President and Executive Director. To view the interview, click the link below.
Watch now...

AFCC Member Survey Coming Soon
Watch your email inbox for a chance to respond to the survey and provide your feedback to the organization.
Not a member? Join today...

AFCC Award Nominations
AFCC is seeking nominees for the following awards to be presented at AFCC's 45th Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC. John E. VanDuzer Distinguished Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions and/or achievements by members of AFCC; Stanley Cohen Research Award: Recognizes outstanding research and/or research achievements in the field of family and divorce; and Irwin Cantor Innovative Program Award: Recognizes innovation in court-connected or court-related programs. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2008.
More information...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
News from Across the Pond
by Karen Mackay, Chief Executive, Resolution, Kent, England
Post holiday season, there has been the usual media flurry of stories about January being the worst month for divorce. Resolution, the main association for family solicitors in England and Wales, used the opportunity to present positive messages about better ways of managing the whole separation process, such as using collaborative practitioners and how to talk to the children.
Read more...

RESEARCH UPDATE
Good Co-Parents Feel Better About Themselves
Courtesy of J.M. Craig Press, Inc.
We have reviewed a number of studies that emphasize the importance for children of good post divorce co-parenting. This is the first study we have seen that looks at the effects of good co-parenting on the self-concept of mothers.
Read more...

CASE LAW UPDATE
Termination of Parental Rights Does not End Child Support Obligation
by Barbara Glesner Fines, Ruby M. Hulen Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City
In an unpublished opinion, the Illinois Supreme Court has held that the termination of parental rights does not extinguish a child support obligation unless the child is being adopted. Thus, a father whose parental rights are terminated must continue to pay support for a child in foster care. Relying on statutory language that refers to "a child sought to be adopted" the court held that merely being available for adoption is not sufficient to sever the responsibilities to the child. Three judges dissented. Illinois DHFS v. Warner, Ill., Illinois Supreme Court, January 25, 2008. To view the opinion and for more information, please view the Family Law Prof Blog by clicking the link below.
More information...

ACR Call for Article Proposals
The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is currently accepting article proposals for the summer issue of its quarterly magazine, ACResolution. The issue will focus on the topic of Social Justice. The proposal deadline is March 25, 2008.
Call for Articles (PDF)...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
AFCC Eighth International Symposium on Child Custody Evaluations
September 25-27, 2008Albuquerque MarriottAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Call for Presenters (PDF)

AFCC Eighth International Congress on Parent Education and Access Programs
September 26-27, 2008Albuquerque MarriottAlbuquerque, New Mexico

AFCC TRAININGS
Advanced Issues in Child Custody: Abuse, Alienation and Other Challenges
Robin Deutsch, Ph.D.
June 23-24, 2008Loyola Law CenterChicago, Illinois

Parenting Coordination: Helping High Conflict Parents Resolve Disputes
Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D.
June 25-26, 2008Loyola Law CenterChicago, Illinois

ABOUT AFCC eNEWS
AFCC eNEWS is a bi-monthly e-newsletter published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). AFCC eNEWS provides professionals with time sensitive and up-to-date topics including case law updates, research innovations and international news.
AFCC eNEWS archive...

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