Parenting Coordination Service

Parenting Coordination is a service offered through the London Custody and Access Project to assist in the creation of a parenting plan, monitor compliance, and help resolve disputes with the plan as they arise. A parenting coordinator does not have authority to change custody or a court order related to access. However, this process can help resolve conflicts related to parenting issues raised by either party. Fee for this service is $200 per hour (see below). Legal Aid Ontario does not currently cover the cost of this service.

Role of a Parent Co-ordinator

• Assist parents to create a parenting plan that they both support and agree to follow
• Monitor compliance with the plan
• Mediate disputes as they arise over implementation of the plan and issues such as time/visitation schedule and modifications thereto
• Help parents understand and apply strategies to minimize conflict, disengage from each other emotionally, and about child development and children's issues in divorce.

Scope of Authority

• Helping the parents focus on the needs of the children and promote positive exchanges between the parents
• Ensuring that issues related to the children and the parents are communicated and wherever possible resolved to the benefit of the children
• Helping to determine time sharing arrangement, including holiday and summer planning
• Helping to standardize, where possible, daily routines in the two homes
• Helping to problem solve daycare/babysitting issues
• Helping to determine transportation and exchange plans
• Helping to communicate and plan for medical, dental, vision care needs
• Helping to determine psychological counselling, testing, or other assessment plans
• Helping to determine extra-curricular activities and arrangements for the children
• Helping to determine education needs, including but not limited to school choice, tutoring, participation in special education programs
• Discussing discipline strategies
• Discussing issues related to clothing, equipment, and personal possessions of the children
• Discussing plans related to travel with the children
• Discussing and problem-solving related to certain payment issues
• Helping to resolve conflicts related to other parenting issues raised by either parent or ordered by the court.

Decision-Making

Parties must understand that the Parent Co-ordinator's authority does not extend to making changes in custody, relocation, or substantial changes to the existing access or time-sharing order.

Communication

No ex-parte communications with the Parent Co-ordinator, either by telephone or e-mail, is permitted. All communication to the Parent Co-ordinator by e-mail must be copied to the other parent. Consent to release information forms must be signed by both parents so the Parent Co-ordinator can speak if necessary with third parties, including therapists for the children.

Agenda items can be e-mailed to all parties prior to sessions. A summary of each session is e-mailed to each parent by the Parent Co-ordinator following the session. Disputes related to the session summary are addressed at the start of each session.

If an assessment has been completed by a member of the London Custody and Access Project, that assessor cannot be the Parent Co-ordinator assigned to your case.

Duration of Sessions

Each session is 1 to 1.5 hours long.

Fee Structure

The London Custody and Access Project fee of $200 per hour is split between the parents. An initial retainer of $1,000 (plus an administrative fee of $150 - total $1,150) is required from each parent before beginning. This provides a total of 10 hours. Sessions after this time has expired are billed monthly, directly to each parent. An undertaking for fee payment is required at this point.

Referral Process

Lawyers for each parent can forward a letter of referral outlining the issues to be addressed in sessions and providing some background information. With mutual agreements, parents can self-refer directly. A co-ordinator from our trained, multi-disciplinary team, is assigned on a rotating basis upon completion of the referral requirements. These include:

• completed questionnaire;
• copies of relevant agreements or orders that pertain to custody/access;
• signature on undertaking;
• signature on Terms of Reference form; and,
• cheque for $1100 for initial 5 hours plus the $100 administrative fee.

Direct correspondence to Rebecca Warder, Administrative Support Services, 254 Pall Mall Street, London ON N6A 5P6. Telephone: (519) 679-7250, ext. 104; Fax: (519) 675-7772.