Parenting Plans: Evaluations and Consultations
PARENTING PLAN EVALUATIONS
Child Custody Evaluation
When parenting in separate households, sometimes parents cannot agree on parenting calendar or visitation schedule, discipline, or the decision making responsibilities. In this case a judge will order a Parenting Plan Evaluation that is non-confidential, with the findings and recommendations provided to the courts. Dr. Whitworth can be appointed to complete the evaluation given her expertise in child development, parenting, attachment, and complex needs of high conflict families.
In the evaluation process, Dr. Whitworth will obtain comprehensive collateral information from professionals and non-professionals involved with the family, interview parents, observe parent-child interactions, visit the home, complete psychological testing, and review documentation of family history. Then findings and recommendations are reported to the courts regarding parenting time calendar, legal and physical custody, decision making responsibilities, and input on ways parents can work as coparents.
PARENTING PLAN CONSULTATIONS
In lower conflict situations, parents can elect to have support in co-creating a parenting plan via consultation. This is a collaborative, not evaluative process, but still takes into consideration the history and needs of both children and parents in making recommendations. Dr. Whitworth can support families in creating a specialized plan for their parenting needs and children’s needs.
As children grow and develop and adults experience changes such as job position or family structure, parents are likely to need additional support in modification and adaptation of their parenting plan. Dr. Whitworth can provide ongoing updates to the Parenting Plan to minimize court involvement and maximize collaborative coparenting to best meet the needs of the children.
PARENTING PLANS
In keeping with the AFCC guidelines for parenting plans, whether self directed or court ordered, all parenting plans include but are not limited to recommendations regarding the following:
Child Custody Evaluation
When parenting in separate households, sometimes parents cannot agree on parenting calendar or visitation schedule, discipline, or the decision making responsibilities. In this case a judge will order a Parenting Plan Evaluation that is non-confidential, with the findings and recommendations provided to the courts. Dr. Whitworth can be appointed to complete the evaluation given her expertise in child development, parenting, attachment, and complex needs of high conflict families.
In the evaluation process, Dr. Whitworth will obtain comprehensive collateral information from professionals and non-professionals involved with the family, interview parents, observe parent-child interactions, visit the home, complete psychological testing, and review documentation of family history. Then findings and recommendations are reported to the courts regarding parenting time calendar, legal and physical custody, decision making responsibilities, and input on ways parents can work as coparents.
PARENTING PLAN CONSULTATIONS
In lower conflict situations, parents can elect to have support in co-creating a parenting plan via consultation. This is a collaborative, not evaluative process, but still takes into consideration the history and needs of both children and parents in making recommendations. Dr. Whitworth can support families in creating a specialized plan for their parenting needs and children’s needs.
As children grow and develop and adults experience changes such as job position or family structure, parents are likely to need additional support in modification and adaptation of their parenting plan. Dr. Whitworth can provide ongoing updates to the Parenting Plan to minimize court involvement and maximize collaborative coparenting to best meet the needs of the children.
PARENTING PLANS
In keeping with the AFCC guidelines for parenting plans, whether self directed or court ordered, all parenting plans include but are not limited to recommendations regarding the following:
- Parenting schedule time: Weekends, vacations, special days
- Transitions: Pick up and drop off
- Transfer of child’s belongings between households
- Flexibility of time due to unexpected or special events
- Virtual parenting time (phone calls and other contact)
- Social media
- Priority of parental care
- Time with other significant adults (step-parents, etc.)
- Time with siblings
- Attendance at child related events
- Decision making: Academic, medical, religious, extra curricular
- Emergencies
- Communication, information sharing
- Document storage and sharing
- Travel and passports, travel restrictions
- Relocation and local moves