Evaluating the Sandcastles Program: A Group Intervention for Children of Divorce

The Sandcastles program has been utilized nationwide as a one-time group intervention to assist children of divorcing parents. For several years Miami-Dade family court services mandated participation in the program for divorcing or separating families. Currently, there is a paucity of research and evaluation to ascertain the efficacy of the program. This symposium will provide details and discussion regarding the planning and process used to establish an evaluation plan to assess the effectiveness of the Sandcastles program for families in MiamiDade County. Any preliminary outcomes available at the time of the symposium will also be shared

Bench Book for Assessing Parental Gatekeeping in Parenting Disputes: Understanding the Dynamics of Gate Closing and Opening for the Best Interests of Children

This Bench Book summarizes theory, research, and a forensic assessment model of parental gatekeeping relevant for understanding and resolving child custody disputes. This concise format is geared primarily as a resource for judges, though it may be equally valuable to evaluators, parenting coordinators, and others. Gatekeeping encompasses a common statutory factor of support for the other parent-child relationship. The gatekeeping model includes a continuum ranging from facilitative to restrictive gatekeeping. Behavioral examples are presented. Implications of a gatekeeping analysis for crafting parenting plans are described, including in relocation cases and when there has been a history of intimate partner violence

Perspectives on parenting coordination: View of parenting coordinators, attorneys, and judiciary members.

Because the development of effective parenting coordination depends upon a sound relationship with the court, this study examined attitudes and expectations toward the parenting coordination process held by judiciary members, attorneys, and parenting coordinators. Respondents from the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida reported anonymously on background demographics and prior personal experience with and attitudes toward the process. Overall, respondents reported favorable views toward parenting coordination; analyses also provided initial insights into potential interdisciplinary differences in views among members of the three important constituencies. Results may be helpful in informing training processes, shaping conversations about legislation, and guiding the administration of parenting coordination through court programs

Training, skills, and practices of parenting coordinators: Florida statewide study.

This report details findings from the nation’s first statewide study on parenting coordination. A survey was presented to all known practicing parenting coordinators (PCs) in Florida (N = 207), with 67 (32%) responding. Data concerning PC demographics, how PCs do their work, and how they perceive their clients at different stages of the parenting coordination process suggest substantial similarity between mental health and family law professionals in almost every realm of questioning. Study limitations, implications for further research, and practice considerations are discussed