Parenting Coordination
Mr. Melendez has completed all necessary training to serve as a qualified Parenting Coordinator.
Parenting Coordination is a method utilized when parties are unable to cooperate on child parenting and scheduling issues. This method can take place during the pendency of an open case involving children or after a case has settled when the parties are having ongoing difficulty cooperating.
Parenting coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process in which the parenting coordinator assists parents with clarification of agreements, orders and final judgments and the law. Additionally, the Parenting Coordinator may help to facilitate new agreements and can make non substantive decisions to help resolve disputes outside of court. Through the process parties learn techniques to help them communicate better and to coordinate better. The goal of parenting coordination is not only to resolve conflict out of Court but also to build and to strengthen the children of the parties.
Effects of High Conflict Divorce on Children
High-conflict parents create an insecure and hostile emotional environment for their children, even if they do not mean to. The effects of high-conflict divorce on children can be devastating. Research studies report that parental conflicts consistently predict negative outcomes for children. Children whose parents exhibit high-conflict behaviors such as hostility and negative exchanges, suffer from stress. This stress can develop even to the point of the child experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This stress can negatively impact their education and their emotional and social development,
It goes without saying that in spite of their differences, parents should do everything they possibly can to create a positive environment for the sake of their children. A parenting coordinator is often exactly what is needed to smooth the road for constructive communication and coordination between high-conflict parents.
The Objective of Parenting Coordination
Parent coordinators are most often engaged in situations where parents have had a long-term inability or unwillingness to follow parenting agreements and orders and make decisions.
The overall objective of the Parenting Coordinator is to assist high-conflict parents in the implementation of their parenting plan, to help monitor compliance with the plan, to resolve any conflicts that arise regarding the children and the parenting plan in a timely manner, and to protect and sustain healthy parent-child relationships.
Parent coordination is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, meaning that it seeks to help parents resolve their issues out-of-court. It involves assessment, education, case management, conflict management and sometimes decision making. Every family is different so the tools used by the Parent Coordinator vary according to need. In all situations, the overriding priority is the health and well being of the children involved.
Parenting Coordination Training & Experience Matters
In order to qualify as a Parent Coordinator in the state of Florida, providers must complete formal training. In addition to this initial training, Parent Coordinators are also required to complete continuing education requirements.
This academic training provides the background and legal knowledge necessary for parent coordination. In addition to the academic training for Parent Coordination, Mr. Melendez has 10 years of experience serving families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties. This experience has made Mr. Melendez an invaluable resource for the families he serves as well as to the courts. He not only understands the letter of the law when it comes to parenting coordination matters, he has the experience of how the law applies to children and families in real life. This experience allows him to quickly and accurately guide the families he serves towards positive outcomes.
Contact the Donovan Melendez Law Office in Tampa Bay for Help
Mr. Melendez has years of experience in Parenting Coordination. If you are interested in learning we assist high conflict parents in creating a healthy environment for their children, reach out to us at 813-280-0181.
