VOLUME 22, NUMBER 2 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts SPRING 2003

Make your plans to meet us in St.Louis for AFCC’s Midwest Regional

Conference, November 13-15, 2003. Theprogram begins with pre-conference insti-tutes the morning of Thursday, November13 and concludes mid-day Saturday,November 15. The local planning commit-tee, led by AFCC members Andrea Clark,Ellen Cowell and the entire Missouri Chap-ter, is working hard to make sure theconference is a huge success.

The conference will examine the chal-lenges courts and practitioners faceproviding effective services to a growingnumber of families with increasingly difficultissues. Mediators, evaluators, judges,lawyers, court administrators, researchersand educators will not want to miss thisextraordinary opportunity to learn aboutsuccessful collaborative processes and ser-vices designed for today’s economicclimate.

Preliminary conference topics include

custody evaluation models, dependencymediation, triage in court services,unbundling legal services, group processesfor high-conflict families, hybrid settlementprocesses, efficient and effective court ser-vices, programs for unrepresented litigants,evidence-based prevention programs andservices for low-income families.

In addition to a great program, St. Louisoffers wonderful attractions, including theGateway Arch, St. Louis Blues Hockey andSt. Louis University Billiken Basketball at thenearby Savvis Center, Union Station, St.Louis Zoo and Art Museum at Forest Park,Missouri Botanical Gardens, RiverboatCasinos and the St. Louis SymphonyOrchestra.

AFCC has negotiated a bargain roomrate of only $115, single or double occu-pancy. To make your reservations early, callthe Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel &Suites at (314) 231-5007 or toll-free at (888)627-8096.

High Conflicts, Low BudgetsAFCC Tackles Tough Problems at St. Louis Regional Conference

Missouri Chapter Update

ASt. Louis area Lunch and Learn,“Long-Distance Parenting Plans

for Never-Married Parents withVery Young Children: Can ThesePlans Ever Work?” is planned forWednesday, July 9, 2003 from noon to1:30 pm. Presenters are Andrea Clark,LCSW, Domestic Relations ServicesMediator, Family Court of St. LouisCounty; Alisse Camazine, J.D.; andHonorable Thea Sherry, AssociateCircuit Judge, Circuit Court of St. LouisCounty. For information, contactaclark@stlouisco.com.

Supreme Court Justices, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Jus-tice Department officials and other dignitaries helped AFCC

celebrate its 40th Anniversary in style at the Annual Conference atthe Westin Ottawa in Canada’s capital city. While the conferencehotel offered views of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal andCanada’s National Art Center, it was the activity inside the hotelthat had more than 500 conference delegates buzzing.

The conference began with pre-conference institutes, includinga jam-packed session on “Working with High Conflict Families: ChildAlienation and Parenting Coordination” presented by RobinDeutsch, Ph.D., and Joan Kelly, Ph.D. AFCC also collaborated withthe National Judicial Institute (NJI) to present a special pre-con-ference institute for judges on “Cultural Competence in theCourtroom.” Special thanks to lead presenters Annie Bunting andHayne Wai, to Co-chairs Hon. R. James Williams and Hon. WilliamFee, and to NJI Executive Director George Thomson and AFCCPresident Elect Hon. George Czutrin for making this collaborationpossible.

Opening night began with uniformed members of the Royal Cana-dian Mounted Police (RCMP) leading the procession of dignitaries

AFCC 40th Anniversary Conference a Resounding Success

AFCC’s Jan Shaw, Hon. Ross Goodwin and Hon. GeorgeCzutrin with Madam Justice Marie Deschamps (front) andthe RCMP.Continued on page 8

It is bittersweet to say that this is the lasttime I will be writing to you as your Pres-

ident. I have been honored to hold the titleand in my actions and words I hope I haverepresented AFCC in a manner that befitsthe mission, goals and professionalism ofour association. I have fully enjoyed thejourney with only one regret, the journeyended before I was able to complete all theplans I had when I entered office on July 1,2002.

An organizational assessment conductedthree years ago recommended we makesignificant changes in our governance struc-ture, in our organizational structure and inthe delegation of work to committees. PastPresidents Hon. Arline Rotman and DeniseMcColley set a course that began with themembership voting to change the bylaws toreduce Board of Directors from 50 membersto 19. And the decision-making practice ofthe Executive Committee was shifted to theBoard. In recent years the Executive Com-mittee has convened on emergency mattersonly. The budgeting timetable wasadvanced and the expectation set that thebudget be balanced.

On our way in re-engineering our asso-ciation came an unexpected turn of events,the retirement of AFCC’s longtime Execu-tive Director, Ann Milne. It has been a yearsince Ann’s retirement and much remainsto be done in transitioning from a contractto an employer-employee model. The firstorder of business was to conduct a nation-wide search for an Executive Director. Ourrecruitment produced many candidates withexcellent credentials but none more quali-fied than Peter Salem, formerly ourAssociate Director. Next was the hiring ofthe office staff, finalizing personnel policies,salaries and benefits as well as administra-tive policies.

With Peter in his new role, we were ableto move forward more quickly in increasingour membership, growing our Chapters andconvening two successful conferences. TheAFCC Newsletter, the Family Court Reviewand a dozen new and revised pamphletsfilled more than one plate.

I am proud to report we are sound finan-cially, our membership of more than 2100is the highest in AFCC history, our KidsCount Club raised the highest amount everthis year (and, in turn, offered the mostscholarships and awards ever) and weadded a new provisional Chapter in Mis-souri. On behalf of AFCC I was privilegedto attend the Texas, Massachusetts and Ari-zona Chapter conferences and the NationalCenter for State Courts Assembly of CourtAssociations in Washington, D.C. with morethan 50 other associations. The nation’scapital was also the site of the WilliamRehnquist Award dinner for outstandingjurists where I was able to join the Califor-nia Judicial Council in honoring the 2002recipient, California’s Chief Justice, RonaldGeorge.

So much of the association’s work is gen-erated by volunteers. Thanking everyonedeserving of recognition for their support,guidance, friendship and countless hours ofhard work would fill more space than isavailable. So although I can’t single outeveryone, I do want to acknowledge theBoard of Directors for their commitment,enthusiasm and leadership and a specialthanks to Phil Bushard and DoneldonDennis for our new and revised pamphlets,Hon. Arline Rotman and her HumanResources Committee for creating from“square one” personnel polices and bene-fits and for conducting our recruitment andselection for our Executive Director, to ourChapter Co-chairs Hon. Hugh Starnes andFred Mitchell for their steady hands andeffective leadership, to Leslye Hunter for hergreat efforts and ideas for increasing mem-bership, and to Michele Mac Farlane, Chairof the Conference Committee, for her abil-ity to balance new conference ideas withAFCC traditions. Last, but certainly notleast, thanks to our Canadian JusticesGeorge Czutrin, Ross Goodwin and EmileKruzick for a wonderful and enriching con-ference in Ottawa in spite of a war and aserious outbreak of a little known disease.Finally, to Peter Salem and AFCC staffmembers Candi Walker, Nola Risse-Connolly and Dawn Holmes, I simplycouldn’t have served my term without you—you are the best!

AFCC is losing to retirement Past Presi-dent Bob Tompkins. Bob was tireless in hiswork in behalf of AFCC, families and chil-dren. He will be missed!

Our incoming President Justice GeorgeCzutrin cares deeply about the best inter-ests of children and the Courts. I know hecan count on the support of all of us in thedays and months ahead.

Until next time, thank you for giving methe opportunity to be your President thisyear. It’s been a memorable and rewardingexperience and an exciting time to be a partof AFCC’s 40-year history.

2 AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

AFCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentJan ShawOrange, CA

President ElectHon. George CzutrinHamilton, ON

Vice President/SecretaryLeslye Hunter, M.A.Metairie, LA

TreasurerMary Ferriter, M.P.A., J.D.Boston, MA

Past PresidentDenise McColley, M.Ed., J.D.

Napoleon, OH

Robert Barrasso, J.D., Tucson, AZCarole Brown, Ph.D., Darlinghurst,

NSW, AustraliaHon. Linda Dessau, Melbourne,

VC, AustraliaLarry S. Fong, Calgary, AB, CanadaHon. Ross Goodwin, Quebec City,

QC CanadaStephen Grant, M.A., Rocky Hill, CTR. John Harper, L.L.B. Hamilton,

ON CanadaWilliam J. Howe III, J.D., Lake Oswego, ORMichele MacFarlane, L.I.S.W., Toledo, OHFredric Mitchell, Ph.D., Tucson, AZLeah Pallin-Hill, J.D., Phoenix, AZC. Eileen Pruett, J.D., Columbus, OHHon. Hugh Starnes, Fort Myers, FLJanet Walker, Ph.D., Newcastle Upon

Tyne, England

Executive DirectorPeter SalemMadison, Wisconsin

AFCC NEWSLETTERVol. 22. No. 2

EditorPeter Salem

Associate EditorCandace Walker

Published by AFCC6515 Grand Teton Plaza, Suite 210Madison, WI 53719-1048Tel: (608) 664-3750Fax: (608) 664-3751E-mail: afcc@afccnet.orgWeb: www.afccnet.org

The AFCC Newsletter is a publication ofAFCC, an association of family, court andcommunity professionals. The newsletter ispublished four times a year. Deadlines fornews items and advertising are March 1,June 1, September 1, and December 1.Advertising copy must be camera ready andpayment made in U.S. funds.

Advertising Rates:Full page (7 1/2” x 10”) . . . . . . . . . . $400Half page (7 1/2” x 4 7/8”) . . . . . . . $300Quarter page (3 5/8” x 4 7/8”) . . . . . $175

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Jan Shaw Orange, California

3AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

by Michelle Boulais, Central ConnecticutState University

An effective triage process in familycourt systems is critical to the efficient

and effective delivery of services. Whilemany courts have intake and screening pro-tocols, few mechanisms exist tosystematically identify areas of concerns,identify appropriate levels of intervention,guide treatment and referral recommenda-tions, better utilize existing court resourcesand ease the docket flow. As part of a pro-ject to develop such a tool, the CourtSupport Services Division of the Connecti-cut Superior Court conducted a preliminarystudy to identify key issues among familiesseen within civil courts across the state.

Background and MethodsConnecticut’s Family Services Division

consulted with AFCC to identify and imple-ment best practices and provide moreefficient service delivery to clients despitefiscal restraints. As a result, the AFCC com-pleted an in-depth review of the models ofpractice and developed a list of recom-mendations, one of which was to develop astandardized method of intake, screeningand triage. In response to this finding,CSSD decided to conduct an exploratorystudy in an effort to view the pressingissues of family court.

Focus groups were conducted to identifythe key areas covered during short calen-dar negotiations, a unique process in whichFamily Relations Counselors conduct anintake and often facilitate settlement con-ferences with clients and, if they arerepresented, their lawyers. Counselors workwith clients on issues including custody andaccess, child support and other financialissues. The focus groups were comprisedof judges, lawyers, Family Relations Super-visors and Family Relations Counselors.

Next, a paper and pencil questionnairewas developed for Family Relations Coun-selors to record interactions during theirshort calendar negotiations immediately fol-lowing the negotiation session. Thequestionnaire addressed issues includingcase type, type of motion, issue type andpresenting issues. For this study, case typewas broken down into four categories: (1)Pendente Lite, (2) Post Judgment, (3) NeverMarried and (4) Other. Type of motion wascategorized as Basic Pendente Lite, Con-tempt, Modification and Other. Finally,issues were classified as Custody, Custody/Access or Access.

The second part of the questionnaireasked counselors to check off the source ofinformation (lawyer, client, collateral source)regarding nineteen areas of inquiry duringthe negotiation process. Counselors wereasked to record the length of time spent on

each negotiation. In total, this study exam-ined 922 short calendar negotiations duringJanuary 2003.

ResultsThis study includes cases from all thir-

teen Judicial Districts in Connecticut andrepresents rural, suburban and urban civilcourts. The average time spent completinga short calendar negotiation was thirty-twominutes. Of the 922 records, Pendente Lite(PDL) accounted for 37.3 percent, PostJudgment (PJ) 29.4 percent and Never Mar-ried represented 21.3 percent. Thecollapsed category that included “Other” ora combination of any of the three case typesmentioned above was equivalent to 12 per-cent of the records.

As for type of motion, Basic PendenteLite accounted for 32 percent, 12.1 percentwere considered Contempt motions, Modi-fication equaled 29.6 percent and Otherrepresented 14.8 percent. The insignificantresponse rates for combinations of the fourcategories were grouped into one category,which accounted for 5.6 percent and NotAnswered accounted for 5.9 percent.

Issue type results were as follows: 7.7percent were strictly Custody, 28.3 percentwere Access issues and 48.7 percent werea combination of the two. The remaining15.3 percent were financial issues.

The results of the study presented someinteresting and unexpected findings forCSSD consideration. Prior to the survey, itwas believed that staff resources weredepleted by the large number of clientsreturning after divorce, however this studyshowed that only 29.4 percent of caseswere post judgment matters. In addition, itwas thought that Never Married couples didnot make significant use of court services,however, the results indicate that morethan 21 percent of clients were categorizedas Never Married. This finding suggests thatservices such as Parent Education shouldbroaden the focus to incorporate more forparents who did not marry. Finally it wasbelieved that a significant amount of shortcalendar negotiations addressed financialissues. However, the data suggests thatonly 15.3 percent of cases addressed theseissues.

ConclusionThis study provides a statistical descrip-

tion of the reality of the short calendarnegotiation processes in the ConnecticutSuperior Court. The results offer insight intokey areas for future development of theCSSD intake and assessment protocol,training and development and provide guid-ance for resource allocation and services tobe offered to various populations. Thisgreater understanding of the process willallow for more effective service delivery.

AFCC ADVISORY COUNCILJoel Bankes, MSNormal, ILHon. Betty BarteauRussiaPhil Bushard, D.P.A.Reno, NVLinda Cavallero, Ph.D.Worcester, MAKathleen Clark, Ph.D.Galion, OHChristie Coates, M.Ed., JDBoulder, COHon. Melvin E. CohnSan Carlos, CAHon. Sean DunphyBoston, MAGregory Firestone, Ph.D.Tampa, FLJay Folberg, LLBSan Francisco, CAJonathan Gould, Ph.D.Charlotte, NCElayne E. Greenberg, MS, JDGreat Neck, NYJanet Johnston, Ph.D.San Jose, CAJoan Kelly, Ph.D.Corte Madera, CAHon. Emile KruzickOrangeville, ONGerald Lecovin, LLBVancouver, BCMargaret Little, Ph.D.Los Angeles, CADonald Moir, LLBVancouver, BCDiane NunnSan Francisco, CAHon. Frank OrlandoFort Lauderdale, FLJessica Pearson, Ph.D.Denver, COHon. Arline Rotman (ret.)Norwich, VTAndrew Schepard, JDHempstead, NYArnold Shienvold, Ph.D.Harrisburg, PAPhilip Stahl, Ph.D.Danville, CASuzie S. Thorn, JDSan Francisco, CARobert Tompkins, M.A.Derby, CTM. James TonerReno, NVJohn VanDuzerHamilton, ONBetty Vitousek (ret.)Honolulu, HICarolyn Wah, JDPatterson, NYJanet WardColumbus, INHon. R. James WilliamsHalifax, NS

Connecticut’s Triage Study:An Exploration of Significant Elements during the Intake Process

by Sherry Carver, Orange, CA

Fred Mitchell is the co-chair of the AFCCChapter Committee and beginning in

July 2003 will co-chair AFCC’s ConferenceCommittee. When he started working at theFamily Center of the Conciliation Court, oneof his first duties was attending the 1994AFCC regional conference in Tucson. Thatwas his first meeting with the members ofthe Arizona Chapter of AFCC. He felt imme-diate support and they helped him learn theropes of the organization. The opportunityto learn and network within the state familycourt system was invaluable to him. Fred’sgoal is to help other states develop thesame support system as exists in Arizona.

The Chapter Committee is designed toassist existing and emerging AFCC Chapterswith chapter development, solving problemsat the chapter level and with the addition ofa Chapter Representative to the InternationalBoard of AFCC, to have a stronger voice atthat level. The Chapter Committee co-chairis Hon. Hugh Starnes from the Florida Chap-ter. The rest of the committee is comprisedof representatives, usually the state chapterpresident, from each of the chartered andprovisional chapters.

The Chapter Committee holds quarterlyconference calls or in-person meetings atconferences to discuss and process chap-ter issues, review applications forprovisional and chartered status and makesrecommendations to the Board on chapterissues. Another goal is to refine the role ofthe Chapter Representative to the Board.

Born and raised: I was born inPhoenix, Arizona, which makes me amember of a rare breed, an Arizona native.We traveled around a lot when I was young,living in New York City, Louisiana, Missis-sippi and several places in Arizona. I spentmost of my later childhood and adolescentyears growing up on a cotton farm west ofPhoenix.

Education: I went to Agua Fria UnionHigh School in Avondale, Arizona. It was just

like the high school in the movie AmericanGraffiti—a small town high school. Duringmy college years, I went to several differentschools including the University of Arizona,University of Oregon and the University ofCalifornia at San Diego. I graduated fromArizona State University (ASU) with adegree in English Literature then got a Mas-ter’s Degree in counseling from the sameschool. In 1981 I moved to Tucson where Ifinished a doctorate in Rehabilitation Psy-chology in 1986.

Favorite teacher whogreatly influenced me: I hada lot of great teachers. My high school Eng-lish teacher was inspirational. Later, mymaster’s committee chair was a big influ-ence on me.

Family: I come from a big family –seven children. I have three sisters andthree brothers. We were very close growingup. My mother was an art historian andtaught at ASU until her death in 1981. Myfather was something of a renaissanceman. He quit farming when I was in highschool and got a job at ASU teaching phi-losophy. He retired from there about 15years ago.

What led to my presentcareer: I have always been interestedin families and did my doctoral work in thearea of family systems. After finishing myPh.D., I worked in the area of family treat-ment for emotionally handicapped children.When the job of director at the conciliationcourt came open, I decided to apply. I hadalways heard great things about thisagency. The interface between familyissues and the law is fascinating.

Proudest personal achieve-ment: Helping to raise two wonderfulsons, both of who recently graduated fromcollege. Second would be finishing my doc-torate and getting my psychologist license.

Favorite book: That is a hard one.I recently finished the Patrick O’Brian serieson the British Navy during the Napoleonicera. That series was terrific. As a part-timesailor I was fascinated by the historicallydetailed accounts of that era.

Career other than my ownthat I would have liked totry: If I had any talent I would havewanted to be a musician.

Career I would least like tohave: Well, prison guard, car salesmanand mortician come to mind as careers Iwould like to avoid.

Top 5 changes I would liketo see in family law: I would liketo see more training in child and family

issues for family court judicial officers andstaff. Some family courts, such as in Mari-copa County, are adding case managers totheir case flow process. I would like to seethat effort expanded so that clients of thecourt, especially pro se litigants, get routedto the most appropriate service early in theprocess. I would like to see us move to adedicated family bench and more integratedservice delivery system—closer to the juve-nile court model. We need to expand proveneducational and treatment programs forfamilies and children in the family court.Finally, I would like to see our court expandavailability of tools and services to unrep-resented clients, for instance, through formsand instructions on the court’s website.

Favorite AFCC memory: I hada number of great memories working withthe Arizona Chapter Board, especiallyduring my year as Arizona Chapter Presi-dent. I continue to be proud of our chapterand local board for putting on terrific statechapter conferences.

AFCC accomplishment Iwould like to see: I would like tosee AFCC become the chief training andcredentialing body for family court-serviceprofessionals, something like the APA forpsychologists.

Member NewsDonald T. Saposnek, Ph.D., a clinical-childpsychologist, child custody mediator, andlong-time member of AFCC, was the recip-ient of the 2003 California PsychologicalAssociation’s Award for Distinguished Con-tribution to Psychology as a Profession.

The statewide psychological associationhonored Dr. Saposnek for his significant,broadening professional contributions tothe field of psychology in the areas of childand family development and parent educa-tion, and to the development of model childcustody court mediation and parent educa-tion programs.

AFCC Board Member Dr. Larry Fong andGretchen Haynes bring forth the lastthoughts of the late John Haynes regard-ing mediation, theory and practice. Theanecdotal transcripts are provided fromactual videotapes in the mediation of non-family matters with theoretical discussionsof interventions and ideas that help media-tors better understand their practice.

Entitled LA MEDIAZIONE, the first trans-lation of this book is in Italian and will befollowed in other languages.

Ruthanne Allen and John Hunt, two ofAFCC’s long-time active members fromnorthern California, were married on Friday,November 29, 2002 in Oakland, California.Ruthanne and John work at AlamedaCounty Superior Court and both haveserved as shepherds for AFCC confer-ences. Congratulations!

4 AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

AFCC COMMITTEE CHAIR PROFILE

Fredric Mitchell, Jr., Chapter Committee Co-chair

Fredric Mitchell, Jr.

5AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

by Hugh E. Starnes, Circuit Judge,Fort Myers, Florida

Aneutral financial expert, such as aCertified Public Accountant, Certified

Financial Planner, or Certified Divorce Plan-ner can benefit the Family Court system,especially if the neutral financial is a soleCourt-appointed expert. Financial experts’professional training tends to automaticallyeliminate emotion and advocacy. They arenatural problem-solvers and whenapproaching the difficult and messy finan-cial choices of a divorcing family, financialexperts are more likely than the parties ortheir attorneys to create an objective, real-ity-based plan to help them through somevery difficult times. The other participantsare more likely to be caught up in emotionor advocacy and will often take positionsthat cannot be carried out when looking atthe entire separated family system.

Financial experts typically have strongskills and training to perform the followingtasks:

$ MediationThe financial expert can bring a calm,

informed approach to mediation. Thisapproach often works as well on parentingissues as it does for the financial issues.The financial expert may have a more prac-tical approach than other professionals. Aco-mediation with a lawyer or mental healthprofessional may allow both types of pro-fessionals to learn from each other, andmay yield an even better result.

$ Problem-solvingThe logical, fact-based nature of their

training produces an expert who is focusedon gaining a solution, not seeking emotionalsatisfaction alone. “Just the facts, Ma’am!”

$ Acting as Investigative CPA’sActing as a neutral expert appointed by

the Court, the financial expert is freed of pur-suing useless, but expensive, tracks. Thefinancial expert can be given a budget fortheir services and told to provide as muchinformation as they can within that budget.A neutral financial expert might ask for addi-tional fees, but only if it is truly warranted bythe potential worth of the final product. Aneutral financial expert may use the partiespersonal pre-existing financial advisors andtake advantage of their knowledge to saveconsiderable time and expense.

$ Tax-effecting awards of equitabledistribution and alimony

Often the tax ramifications may cause anotherwise beneficial award to diminishgreatly. A neutral financial expert can ferretout ways to fashion an equitable distribution,or an alimony or child support award, thatis different than the parties would desire, butthat meets their needs better because of the

tax ramifications. The options presented bya financial expert may be overlooked by theparties, who may have an emotional invest-ment in a particular scheme of distribution.

$ Consultants to attorneys or thecourt on practical solutions todifficult financial issues

When employed on an ad hoc basis, thefinancial expert can provide valuable neu-tral opinions on specific technical orsophisticated financial information in a verycost efficient manner that may make the dif-ference in a successful negotiation. A judgecould also appoint the expert to advise theCourt (and all the parties) on a financialissue that may be a real “sticking point” inmaking a decision.

$ Members of collaborative orcooperative law teams

For all the reasons given above, the neu-tral financial expert can be an invaluablemember of the team.

$ General or Special MastersIn cases involving complicated financial

issues, a neutral financial expert can beappointed with the consent of the parties toact as a master. The neutral expert can takeevidence and make a recommendation tothe Court. This saves the judge consider-able time, and provides the parties with amore knowledgeable fact-finder for the par-ticular type of case. The neutral expert mayalso have more patience and be moreattentive and focused than a judge would beon this type case. The judge, of course, stilldecides pure legal issues, and makes orapproves the final decision. This could beaccomplished for a certain part, or for theentire case, if it is purely financial.

$ Planning and extending financialplans into the future and beyondretirement of both parties

Often financial plans and awards lookvery good and fair when made, and even fora long time afterwards. Unfortunately,severe changes in time and economic con-ditions may completely vitiate what wasoriginally a good plan. Likewise, a plan maybe doomed from the beginning because theparties don’t fully understand the long-range effect of the awards. A neutral expertcan assist in making a more sound long-range plan, and help avoid unintendedconsequences, which sometimes occurbecause of a failure to extend the effect farenough into the future.

Judges and attorneys should look for afinancial expert who is flexible, has peopleskills, and is a decision-maker. Remember,not every financial expert will have the per-sonal make-up to work well in the caldronof divorcing family issues. It takes a specialtype of person. Consider personality type;be careful not to recruit those who are sodetail and fact oriented that they may not be

able to make prompt, practical, and globaldecisions. Consider using a financial expertfor gender identification; for example, afemale CPA may be able to strike a rapportwith a wife who needs guidance as to struc-turing her financial life. On the other hand,a strong male CPA may be able to convincean authoritative husband that he needs togive in on certain financial issues.

The work of a neutral financial expert canlead to fewer post-judgment problems in thefinancial arena because the parties willhave developed a solid, practical financialplan. Whether you are a judge, attorney, orparty, use these valuable experts for whatthey do best. Don’t merely follow the tradi-tional mode of hiring them as a “hired gun.”Be creative! Free the financial expert to dotheir best work by using them as a neutralin as many different ways as is possible;that will help the whole system!

Using a Financial Neutral for the Benefit of the System

Florida ChapterUpdate• FLAFCC is presenting a Parenting

Coordination Training and LegislativeForum on August 15-16, 2003. You candownload the brochure from the FloridaChapter website at www.FLAFCC.org.Please call the Rosen Plaza Hotel inOrlando (407-996-9700 or 800-627-8258) now for your reservations, asspace is limited! The conference willfeature a number of national presentersincluding Barbara Bartlett, Esq.; MarkHill CFP, CDP; Phillip Stahl, Ph.D.; andMatthew Sullivan, Ph.D. Additionally,noted jurists and professionals fromFlorida will present.

• Congratulations to Linda Fieldstonewho has been selected as a Board ofDirectors member of InternationalAFCC. She was selected to representthe Chapter Council, which consists ofa representative of each of the StateChapters of AFCC.

• The Florida Chapter of AFCC sponsorsa quarterly meeting of the Family CourtCoordinators for each Circuit Court inthe State of Florida. The last meetingcovered Juvenile Dependency andCourthouse Security. A previous meet-ing covered Self-Help programs. EachCoordinator shares problems, suc-cesses, and innovations as well as thecurrent status of services in the partic-ular area being discussed. Muchnetworking, bonding, and sharing ofvaluable information occurs. Thesemeetings were organized as a result ofrecommendations made at a workshopon special interest groups at the lastannual conference.

6 AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

AFCC is pleased to welcome new mem-bers of the Board of Directors, with

terms beginning July 1, 2003: Cori Erickson,Sheridan, Wyoming; Linda Fieldstone,Miami, Florida; William Fee, Angola, Indi-ana; and Robert Smith, Ft. Collins,Colorado.

AFCC thanks the following memberswho have completed their service on theBoard of Directors: Carole Browne, Sydney,Australia; R. John Harper, Hamilton,Ontario; and Leah Palin-Hill, Arizona.

A special note of thanks to former AFCCPresident Denise McColley, who leaves theBoard of Directors after 11 years of dedi-cated service. Ms. McColley served asChair of the Conference and NominationsCommittees and helped lead the restruc-turing of the AFCC Board of Directors andgovernance. She will continue as Chair ofAFCC’s Human Resource Committee in2003-04.

AFCC Board of Directors2003-2004PresidentHon. George CzutrinHamilton, ON, Canada

President ElectLeslye Hunter, M.A.Metairie, LA

Vice President/SecretaryHon. Hugh StarnesFort Myers, FL

TreasurerMary M. Ferriter, M.P.A., J.D.Boston, MA

Past PresidentJan A. Shaw, M.P.A.Orange, CA

Board Members

Robert Barrasso, J.D.Tucson, AZ

Hon. Linda DessauMelbourne, VC, Australia

Cori Erickson, M.S.Sheridan, Wyoming

Hon. William FeeAngola, IN

Linda Fieldstone, B.S.W., M.Ed.Miami, FL

Larry Fong, Ph.D.Calgary, AB, Canada

Hon. Ross GoodwinQuebec, QC, Canada

Stephen Grant, M.A.Rocky Hill, CT

William Howe III, J.D.Lake Oswego, OR

Michele MacFarlane, L.I.S.W.Sylvania, OH

Fredric Mitchell, Ph.D.Tucson, AZ

C. Eileen Pruett, J.D.Columbus, OH

Robert Smith, J.D., M.Div.Ft. Collins, CO

Janet Walker, Ph.D.Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

AFCC Board of Directors for 2003-2004 AFCC 2003-2004Committee ChairsAwards and Scholarships CommitteeHon. Emile Kruzick, ChairOrangeville, ON

Chapter CommitteeLinda Fieldstone, Co-chairMiami, FLHon. Hugh Starnes, Co-chairFort Myers, FL

Conference CommitteeMichelle MacFarlane, Co-chairSylvania, OH Fredric Mitchell, Ph.D., Co-ChairTucson, AZ

Development CommitteeHon. Arline Rotman (ret.), ChairNorwich, VT

Finance CommitteeMary Ferriter, JD, MPA, ChairBoston, MA

Human Resources CommitteeDenise Herman McColley,

M.Ed., J.D., ChairNapoleon, OH

Membership CommitteeLeslye Hunter, MA., LPC, Co-ChairMetairie, LA Shelley Probber, Ph.D., Co-chairSan Antonio, TX

Nominations CommitteeJan A. Shaw, MPA, ChairOrange, CA

Professional Development andTechnical Assistance CommitteeKelly Browe Olson, Co-chairLittle Rock, AR C. Eileen Pruett, Co-chairColumbus, OH

Publications CommitteeDoneldon Dennis, Co-chairMinneapolis, MN Phil Bushard, Co-chairReno, NV

The Family Court Review editorial stafffor the 2003-2004 academic year has

been selected. All editors are students atHofstra University Law School and workunder the direction of Family Court ReviewEditor Andrew Schepard.Managing EditorOlga BatsedisManaging Editors of ArticlesChris GrazianoCarolyn SchwarzManaging Editors of MatrimonialNewsletterMichelle AulivolaHeather Farago

Notes & Comments EditorsMolly CooperLisa FleschArticles EditorsKim DiConzaJen SpinaJen YadegariBook Review EditorKarim HatataMental Health EditorToni Ann SerpeAFCC LiaisonRachelle Barjon

Family Court Review Editors Selected for 2003-2004 Calendar of

Upcoming EventsAFCC Fall Regional ConferenceNovember 13-15, 2003Sheraton City CenterSt. Louis, MissouriAFCC 41st Annual ConferenceMay 12-15, 2004Adam’s Mark Hotel on the RiverwalkSan Antonio, TexasAFCC 42nd Annual ConferenceMay 18-21, 2005Sheraton SeattleSeattle, Washington

7AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

Kids Count Club Award Presentedto Christie Lake Kids

AFCC congratulates Christie Lake Kids inOttawa on receiving the Kids Count Clubaward of $2,000. The award was presentedat the Awards Luncheon of the AFCC 40thAnniversary Conference in Ottawa, May 29,2003.

Christie Lake Kids runs both the ChristieLake Camp and a year-round S.T.A.R. pro-gram (Skills Through Activity andRecreation). Both programs were devel-oped under the guidance and direction ofchild psychiatrist Dr. Dan Offord, director ofthe internationally recognized CanadianCenter for Studies of Children at Risklocated in Hamilton, Ontario. In the Ottawaarea Christie Lake has provided a model forsuccessfully eliminating a major deficit in thelives of economically disadvantaged chil-dren by enriching their present and futurelife quality with equal access, equal partici-pation, and equitable outcomes. The fundsfrom the AFCC Kids Count Club Award willbe used to send four disadvantaged chil-dren to camp this summer.

AFCC Thanks SupportersAFCC thanks all Kids Count Club sup-

porters for their generous contributions tothe AFCC Resource Development Fundduring this past year. Resource Develop-ment funds help support conferencescholarships for AFCC members and theannual Kid’s Count Club Award. A specialthank you to this year’s Key Club, Diamondand Platinum Donors, Ann Milne, John andJoan VanDuzer and the Harbinger Foun-dation, William Carpenter, Arline Rotman,the Suzie S. Thorne Family Foundation,Doneldon Dennis, Andrew Schepard, JanShaw, Leslie Ellen Shear and the California,

Florida and Massachusetts Chapters ofAFCC.

Resource Development FundSupportersAnnual Campaign 2002-2003Key ClubAnn L. MilneJohn and Joan VanDuzer

and the Harbinger FoundationDiamond ContributorsWilliam L. CarpenterHon. Arline S. RotmanSuzie S. Thorn Family FoundationPlatinum ContributorsAFCC California ChapterAFCC Florida ChapterAFCC Massachusetts ChapterDoneldon DennisAndrew SchepardJan ShawLeslie Ellen ShearGold ContributorsAFCC Arizona ChapterMary FerriterFriends of Arline RotmanLeslye HunterDenise McColleyFred MitchellPeter SalemSilver ContributorsAFCC Missouri ChapterRuthanne AllenLynn BakerChristine BurtPhil BushardLinda CavalleroHon. George CzutrinJan DeRemerLinda Dessau

Barbara FidlerSteven FriedlanderScott GuyerMike Gottlier and Jeff SiegelSteve GrantR. John HarperValerie HoughtonBill HoweJanet JohnstonDeanna Look LoyMichele MacFarlaneHugh McIsaacPaul MellerLinda RioJack RounickArnold ShienvoldHon. Hugh StarnesMary Ann StokesBronze ContributorsLeah BrowneChristine CampisiRobin DeutschKaren FenchelLisa JohnsonSteven LarsonRoxanne PermeslySusan RajaEdward SilvermanRuth and Phil StahlMaureen VernonContributorsAza ButlerMary BullockRisa GaronBeth JohnsonTerry JohnstonMarsha Kline PruettJoan PavlikLita SchwartzBrian SeltzerR. Malia Taum

AFCC Kids Count Club Update

AFCC’s Fifth Annual Silent Auction washeld May 30, 2003 at the Westin

Ottawa. An enthusiastic crowd came awaywith fabulous items, great values and in theend helped AFCC’s Kids Count Club raisenearly $12,000 for scholarships and finan-cial awards to programs that servicefamilies.

This year’s auction featured an extraor-dinary array of items. Film buffs were ableto bid on authentic posters, books, DVD’sand calendars donated by Atlantic-Alliancefilms. Sports enthusiasts had their choiceof autographed baseballs from AlexRodriguez, Yogi Berra and Carlton Fisk, aDeuce McAllistar autographed footballhelmet or a package of items from theAnaheim Angels or Ohio State Buckeyes.AFCC members also contributed an originalwatercolor, a hand-knit scarf, a hand-cro-cheted afghan and original glass artwork. Acollection of fine wines, exotic sippingtequila, autographed books, designer cloth-ing, original artwork and hotel and dinnerpackages gave bidders a wide range of

items from which to choose.

Kids Make International ConnectionThrough AFCC Silent Auction

Of special note was the chain of eventsstarted by the contribution of a hand-madepatch quilt donated by AFCC Office Man-ager Dawn Holmes and made by her sonMichael’s kindergarten class from Belleville,Wisconsin. The high bidder was Ned Court-ney, Executive Director of Family MediationCanada. Ned turned the quilt over to hiswife’s pre-school class and the studentsthere will become pen pals with their coun-terparts in Wisconsin.

Special Thanks to StarwoodA live auction gift of 20,000 Starwood

Preferred Points was donated by Starwoodand Global Sales Director David Narwich.AFCC thanks all of the contributors to theFifth Annual Silent Auction for their gen-erosity and for making the event such ahuge success.

Contributors to AFCC’s FifthAnnual Silent AuctionAdam’s Mark Hotel, San AntonioAFCCAFCC Arizona ChapterAFCC Florida ChapterAFCC Massachusetts ChapterAFCC Missouri ChapterAFCC New Jersey ChapterAlliance-AtlantisRichard AltmanAssociation for Conflict ResolutionConnie BeckSanford BraverWendy BryansPhil BushardAlan ChildsChristine CoatesComplete Equity MarketsPatti CrossHon. George CzutrinDoneldon DennisHon. Linda Dessau

AFCC Silent Auction Takes Ottawa By Storm

Continued on page 10

by Hon. Emile R. Kruzick,Orangeville, ON

It was most appropriate forAFCC to honor the Hon.

Claire L’Heureux-Dubé at the40th Anniversary Conference inOttawa last month. Ottawa becamethe home of Madame JusticeL’Heureux-Dubé when she wasappointed to the Supreme Court ofCanada in April 1987. She remainedthere until 2002 when she retired asa judge of that court.

The tribute, warm reception, andstanding ovation at the AFCCAnnual Awards Luncheon held onMay 29, 2003 were particularly fit-

ting of the person who in her personal and professional lives haschampioned the philosophy of the AFCC. She has demonstrateda tireless enthusiasm and commitment to all that AFCC stands for.

In many respects Justice L’Heureux-Dubé is a pioneer. Shemade the decision to study law when, as a legal secretary, she real-ized she could write a letter better than the one her boss wasdictating to her. She has not looked back since then. In law schoolshe excelled and graduated cum laude from Laval University in1951. When Claire L’Heureux-Dubé entered law school in 1949,women in Québec had been allowed to practice law for only eightyears. She persevered beyond this limitation and was successfulat a time when there were few women practicing litigation.

Her commitments were to families and to justice. Her endeav-ors to better these institutions began with her work as a younglawyer. While balancing the demands of her family and law prac-tice, she was an active participant in the greater legal community.She also served on countless committees, including (to name buta few) as Vice-President of the Vanier Institute of the Family, and

as President of the Family Law and Family Court Committee of theQuébec Civil Code Revision Office.

Her judicial career was a meteoric rise. In 1973 the Hon. ClaireL’Heureux-Dubé was the first woman appointed to the QuébecSuperior Court. In 1979 she was elevated to the Court of Appealof Québec. Her appointment to the Supreme Court of Canadamade her the second woman in the country to hold that esteemedposition.

The Supreme Court is Canada’s highest court. It is the final courtof appeal, and the last resort for all litigants in Canada, whetherindividual or governments. In her capacity as a Supreme Courtjudge, Justice L’Heureux-Dubé authored numerous landmark deci-sions that have endorsed the cause of equal justice, and foreverchanged our legal landscape. Her decisions reformed family lawin Canada. They were often powerfully written dissents, whichresulted in legislative amendments.

Claire L’Heureux-Dubé has devoted endless hours to writing, lec-turing and teaching. She has been a frequent presenter at theAFCC, including at the 2003 Annual Meeting in Ottawa. As pastPresident of the International Commission of Jurists, she has beena moving force in the evolution of global jurisprudence and the effortto bring the concept of human rights to part of the world where itis unknown.

After a stellar judicial career, she has now returned to her almamater in Québec City where she will continue sharing her knowl-edge with faculty and students, and pursuing her ongoingcommitments to several organizations.

In recognition of her contribution and remarkable career, she hasbeen honored with numerous awards and doctorates in Canadaand around the world. We are indeed fortunate to call her our own.

The members of AFCC are proud of Claire L’Heureux-Dubé’s sus-tained membership over many years and are pleased that she willbe joining the AFCC Advisory Council this summer. Her dedicationto a more humane and inter-disciplinary approach to the law is herhallmark. The AFCC’s tribute expresses the Association’s profoundpride in her achievements and gratitude for her contributions.

AFCC Honors Hon. Claire L’Heureux-Dubé

Hon. Claire L’Heureux-Dubé

at the opening session. After a welcome by Supreme Court JusticeMadam Marie Deschamps, the conference then began with a stim-ulating discussion on the evolution of the family over the last 40years. The panel featured sociologists Paul Amato, Ph.D., Penn-sylvania State University; Robert Glossop, Ph.D., Vanier Institute ofthe Family; and David Popenoe, Ph.D., Director of the National Mar-riage Project.

Thursday morning’s plenary featured leading experts discussingthe evolution of family law and included Hon. Leonard Edwards,President, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges;Phil Epstein, Epstein Cole, Toronto, ON; Forrest S. Mosten, author,Unbundling Legal Services; Julie MacFarlane, University of Wind-sor and moderator George Thomson, Executive Director of theNational Judicial Institute of Canada.

Friday’s plenary session on domestic violence took an unex-pected twist with the absence of Peter Jaffe, due to family matters,however Hon. Leonard Edwards generously stepped into the ses-sion and along with Joan Kelly, Justice Jennifer McKinnon andmoderator Mary O’Connell offered a session that received ravereviews.

The conference featured special tributes to longtime member andformer Executive Director Ann Milne, AFCC’s first Canadian Pres-ident John VanDuzer and Hon. Claire L’Heureux-Dubé, retiredJustice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition, the AFCCAwards luncheon honored the accomplishments of members andothers in the field (see page 10).

Thank You, Thank You, Thank YouAFCC wishes to thank members of the AFCC conference com-mittee for their hard work and for making the 40th AnniversaryConference possible:

Michele MacFarlane, Chair; Robert Barrasso, Tucson, AZ; WendyBryans, Ottawa, ON; Christie Coates, Boulder, CO; Patti Cross,Toronto, ON; Hon. William Fee, Angola, IN; Hon. Ross Goodwin,Quebec City, QC; Stephen Grant, Rocky Hill, CT; Beth Kerns, SouthBend, IN; Hon. Emile Kruzick, Orangeville, ON; Debra Kulak, RockyHill, CT; Denise McColley, Napoleon, OH.

Thanks to Sponsors, Exhibitors and CollaboratingOrganizationsAFCC also wishes to thank conference sponsors and collaborat-ing organizations for their support.Complete Equity MarketsJustice CanadaNational Judicial Institute of CanadaNational Council of Juvenile and Family Court JudgesABA Center on Children and the LawCanadian Bar Association National Family Law SectionFamily Mediation CanadaABA Section of Family LawAssociation for Conflict ResolutionRCMP Missing Children RegistryABA Section of Dispute ResolutionFamily, Children and Youth Department, Justice CanadaJ.M. Craig Press, Inc.Our Family Wizard.comCenter for Divorce Education

Thanks to Conference ShepherdsLast, but certainly not least, AFCC thanks the conference volun-teer shepherds for all of their hard work and making sure everythingat the conference was the way it was supposed to be.John Hunt; Ruthanne Allen; Danielle Bruyére; Shari Burrows;Andrea Clark; Daniel Czutrin; Ellen Dowell; Andrew Fobert; PeggyMalpass; Shelley McIntyre; Myrna Murdoch.

AFCC 40th Anniversary Conferencecontinued from page 1

8 AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

9AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

AFCC’s Awards and Scholarships Committee, in collaborationwith the Resource Development Committee, provided schol-

arships to three AFCC members for the 40th AnniversaryConference in Ottawa. Scholarships covered registration fees forthe conference and one full-day pre-conference institute. For aglimpse of the conference from different viewpoints, scholarshiprecipients Jeffrey Carr, Nancy Jarvis and Patrick Wolff have sharedtheir experiences.Jeffrey A. Carr, Akron, Ohio

“This was the first AFCC conference I have attended, and I haveto say it was fantastic. I attended the pre-conference institute onAdvanced Family Mediation, and Dr. Larry Fong was a tremendouspresenter. I found that Dr. Fong’s expertise, as well as that of thegroup, yielded numerous ideas that I will be able to use in my prac-tice to strengthen my abilities as a mediator.

I attended the panel discussions during the general sessions ofthe conference and found the panelists to be very experienced andknowledgeable in their respective fields. Their insight into currentresearch and practices eclipsed that which I had previously known.

The workshops regarding mediation focused on children, andmediation with difficult parents brought insight from the industry’sleading mediators regarding the issues that they had dealt withduring some difficult mediations, helping us to prepare in advancefor these type of difficulties and have strategies ready to addressthem as they arose.

Overall this conference was extremely insightful and useful topractitioners and academics. I found it to be well organized andpacked with the best our industry has to offer. Thanks AFCC!”Nancy A. Jarvis, Toronto, ON, Canada

“As a recent scholarship recipient to the Ottawa Conference, Iwish to extend my thanks to everyone. I am sure that I am not alonein my appreciation of the support that the AFCC provides all itsmembers. Prior to attending my first symposium in Tucson last fall,I anticipated a high caliber educational experience, which it certainlywas and continues to be. What I did not expect from that sympo-sium was a community of professionals dedicated to their careersas well as to each other. The Ottawa conference confirmed thatthis perspective was not an anomaly and is shared by many.

AFCC’s leadership is more than pursuing academic excellence;it is about people guiding people. The Ottawa awards banquetemphasized that, as we look back on our careers, its direction andfulfillment can often be attributed to another’s influence. Words ofencouragement, a listening ear and a helping hand are more

powerful than we realize. Often the donor is not aware of their influ-ence until a public acknowledgement is given. I can only imaginewhat an awards dinner would be like if it were sponsored by allthose families that have been touched not only by each profes-sional’s expertise but, more importantly, by their level of care andconcern.”

Atty. Patrick Wolff, Hagatna, Guam“The AFCC Conference in Ottawa proved very helpful to me in

my capacity as founder/executive director of Inafa’ Maolek, a com-munity-based non-profit mediation center in the US Territory ofGuam. My trip report, summarizing all I had learned, was quitelengthy. Workshop #36 on “Child Probation and Dependency Medi-ation” gave me the confidence to promote that concept locally.Workshop #26 “Mediating with Difficult People” gave me insightson several problematic situations encountered by peacemakers. Iwas intrigued by the notions of collaborative lawyering andunbundling—concepts not yet being discussed here. As I satthrough Workshop #3 “Child-Focused Mediation” I kept wonderingwhether a guardian ad litem could perform the tasks contemplatedfor the child-centered mediator. During Workshop #23, “ManagingHigh Conflict Families Through Structured Parenting Plans” I chuck-led at the notion of a parenting coordinator who both mediates andarbitrates in the same case.

I attended Dr. Larry Fong’s pre-conference Institute “AdvancedFamily Mediation Skills” and was challenged to think more criticallyabout the types of questions asked in mediations.

The prevailing wisdom of excluding domestic violence casesfrom mediation was challenged in several presentations (Workshop#26 “Mediating With Difficult Parents” and Workshop #9 “Yes, No,and Maybe: Informal Decision-Making About Divorce Mediation inthe Presence of Domestic Violence” as well as plenary commentsby Judge Len Edwards), which were breaths of fresh air for me.

I was tickled to meet Hon. Claire L’Heureux-Dubé, who unbe-knownst to me had visited Guam this past March to dopresentations for judges and female lawyers.

The Conference enabled me to purchase some resource mate-rials and make some new friends—two (Hon. James Hauser andProfessor Janet Weinstein) had a connection to my alma mater,University of Pennsylvania. Their workshop “Making Divorce Work:The Coming Revolution in Divorce Law” represents for me the cre-ative thinking that typifies the best of AFCC.

Thank you for the AFCC scholarship, which helped me to gainso many positive benefits.”

AFCC Scholarship Winners Give High Marks to Ottawa Conference

Join AFCC for the 40th Anniversary Conference!Please send me _____ copies of the 40th Anniversary Conference proceedings book @ $20 each plus shipping and handling $ ________ ProceedingsPlease send me _____ limited edition 40th Anniversary Conference t-shirts @ $6 each plus shipping and handling $ ________ T-shirtsIndicate size: Medium: Large Extra Large

Shipping and Handling (S&H)—U.S. only $ ________ Subtotal(Orders shipped outside the United States will be billedseparately for shipping and handling) $ ________ S&H

$4 on purchases totaling $0 to $12.50$7 on purchases totaling $12.51 to $50.00 $ ________ TOTAL$10 on purchases totaling $50.01 to $100VISA MasterCard Card No. ______________________ Exp Date ____ /____

Signature _______________________________________________________________Name __________________________________________________________________Organization _____________________________________________________________Address ________________________________________________________________City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code _________________________________________Telephone, fax and e-mail __________________________________________________

AFCC • 6515 Grand Teton Plaza, Suite 210, Madison, WI 53719-1048Phone: 608/664-3750 • Fax: 608/664-3751

If you could not get to Ottawa for AFCC’s 40thAnniversary Conference in May, it’s not too

late! You can still purchase audio tapes, con-ference proceedings books and limited editionAFCC 40th Anniversary Conference t-shirts.

Audio tapes are available for most confer-ence sessions, including plenary sessions,workshops and pre-conference institutes. Foraudiotape ordering and price information, pleasesee the notice on page 11 of this newsletter.

A limited number of conference proceedingsbooks are available for $20 plus shipping andhandling. This 540-page book is full of handoutsfrom conference workshops and general ses-sions and includes a conference attendees’ list.

AFCC is liquidating the limited edition 40thAnniversary t-shirts. These crisp, white, 100%cotton t-shirts have a bright red maple leaf andblue lettering on the back. The post-conferenceprice is only $6 plus shipping and handling.

Conference proceedings books and t-shirtscan be ordered directly from AFCC by using theform at right.

The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts 40thAnniversary Awards Luncheon took place at the Westin

Ottawa, May 29, 2003. AFCC recognized the achievements of themembers who have made a contribution to the constructive reso-lution of family conflict.

AFCC DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDHon. Leonard Edwards,San Jose, CA

Judge Leonard Edwards, a long-timemember and friend to AFCC, was hon-ored for his outstanding contributions tothe field of family law. Judge Edwards iscurrently the Supervising Judge of theJuvenile Dependency Court in SantaClara County, CA and served on thefamily court there. He is President of theNational Council of Juvenile and FamilyCourt Judges and he has dedicated hiscareer to protecting children and families

from the devastating effects of family violence and is highlyregarded for his judicial leadership at the local, national and inter-national levels.

In accepting the Distinguished Service Award, Judge Edwardspraised AFCC, calling it, “The organization most responsible forimproving the way that family courts conduct their business everyday.” AFCC congratulates Hon. Leonard Edwards on a well-deserved honor.

STANLEY COHEN DISTINGUISHEDRESEARCH AWARD

Dr. Paul Amato, PennsylvaniaState UniversityDr. Paul Amato was recognized with

the Stanley Cohen DistinguishedResearch Award, presented in honor offormer AFCC Executive Director andReview Editor, the late Stanley Cohen.The award is sponsored by the OregonFamily Institute and was presented byOFI and AFCC Board Member BillHowe.

Dr. Amato has made important con-tributions to the understanding ofchildren’s adjustment to their parents’

divorce. His initial meta-analysis of 92 studies reported from the

1950s through the 1980s comparing children of divorced parentswith children of continuously married children, gave practitionersas well as researchers an overall sense of children’s well being afterdivorce in several different important spheres of behavior. Morerecently, Dr. Amato has updated his research with a meta-analy-sis of 67 studies done in the decade of the 90’s. His findings indicatethat although there remains a gap between children of divorce andchildren who remain with their intact family, the size of the gap hasdecreased. Dr. Amato hypothesizes that some of the decreases inmeasurable effects on children may result from attitudinal changes,more sophisticated research methodology, increased availability oftherapeutic interventions and school based programs. Changeswithin the legal system such as mandatory mediation, parent edu-cation programs and other out-of-courtroom interventions may alsobe contributing factors. Dr. Amato’s research and hypotheses pro-vide evidence that AFCC’s approach to helping promote theadjustment of children after divorce is well grounded.

IRWIN CANTOR AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMINGFamily Violence Prevention Center, Maricopa County, Arizona

The Irwin Cantor Award for Innovative Programming was pre-sented to the Family Violence Prevention Center of MaricopaCounty in Phoenix, AZ. The Center was created to provide servicesto citizens seeking protection against violence in the home, work-place or public. It provides a safe, dedicated place for individualsto prepare and file an Order of Protection or Injunction Against Har-rassment, talk to advocates from a domestic violence shelter forcrisis counseling safety planning, and receive referrals to social ser-vice agencies and community providers.

PRESIDENT’S AWARDR. John Harper and Michele MacFarlane

AFCC President Jan A. Shaw presented the President’s Awardto Michele MacFarlane and R. John Harper. Ms. MacFarlane hasbeen Chair of the AFCC Conference Committee and a long timemember of the Board of Directors. The high quality of her work withAFCC volunteers and staff on the planning and implementation ofAFCC conferences is evidenced by the extraordinary feedbackabout the AFCC conferences. Mr. Harper steps down this year asChair of AFCC’s Resource Development Committee. Under his lead-ership, AFCC’s Resource Development fund has grown to morethan $125,000 and has provided numerous conference scholarshipsand financial gifts to non-profit agencies serving children and fam-ilies in Vancouver, New Orleans, Chicago, Hawaii and Ottawa.

AFCC Recognizes Outstanding Achievement at 40th Anniversary Awards Luncheon

Hon. Leonard Edwards

Paul Amato

Cori EricksonFamily Mediation CanadaMary FerriterLarry S. FongSteve GrantJanet Marie Studios,

Judy and Hugh StarnesJonathan GouldElayne GreenbergR. John HarperSally HawthorneDawn HolmesDr. Homminga

Bill HoweLeslye HunterLynn JohnstonKathryn KuehnleLands’ EndBernard MayerMichele MacFarlaneDenise McColleyMongrel MediaChristopher MooreForrest S. MostenNorwich BookstorePleasant CompanyShelley ProbberBarry and Arline RotmanDavid RotmanSteven Rotman

Pat RossPeter SalemAndrew SchepardLeanne SchlegelEdna ScottJan ShawJudy SheaPhilip StahlStarwood Resorts Global Sales OfficeSt. Louis Sheraton City CenterSuperior Court of Justice, Hamilton, ONBetsy ThomasTourism OttawaQuick Quality PressJanet WalkerWegner LLP, CPA’s & ConsultantsWestin Ottawa

AFCC Silent Auctioncontinued from page 7

10 AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

11AFCC NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2003

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

40TH ANNIVERSARYC O N F E R E N C E

Change and Challenge: 40 Years of Evolution in Families,

Courts and CommunitiesMay 28 – 31, 2003 • Ottawa, Ontario

Couldn’t attend all sessions of interest to you?Didn’t attend the conference?

Here are just a few of the sessions you may have missed!• Working with High Conflict Families: Alienation and Parenting Coordination• Advanced Family Mediation Skills• Change and Challenge: 40 Years of Evolution in Families• From Adversaries to Collaborators: The Evolution of Family Law• Custody and Access Reform in Canada• Fostering Family Resiliency• Research Update• Reconnecting Children with Absent Parents• Managing High Conflict Families through Structured Parenting Plans• Mediation with Difficult Parents• Assessing the Parent-Child Relationship in Custody and Access Disputes…and many more…!!!

Audio Cassette prices (US): Institute-$48, Plenary-$12, Workshop-$12, Forum-$24

Audio Cassettes and Audio CDs are available and maybe purchased individually or as a complete conference set.

ORDER ONLINE at: www.cmcgc.com/030528

Content Management Corporation/Audio Archives & Duplicators, Inc.100 West Beaver Creek, #18, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1H4 Canada

Telephone: 905/889-6555 ext 22 • Fax: 905/889-6566

AFCC MIDWEST REGIONAL

CONFERENCE

AFCC MIDWEST REGIONAL

CONFERENCE

November 13-15, 2003Sheraton St. Louis City Center

St. Louis, MissouriSee www.afccnet.org for more information

SAVE THE DATES!