In this article, we use a recent Manitoba child custody case to provide a legal and ethical account of the notion of the best interests of the child. We explore the tension between the best interests of the child and parental rights to expression of a racist nature. We consider how the interests of different actors--the state, parents and…

A study of over 9,000 custody/visitation dispute cases found that sexual abuse allegations occurred in 2 percent of contested cases. Such cases involve a variety of accused and accusing parties and are no less likely to be "unfounded" than other sexual abuse reports. (Author/JDD)

Describes changing patterns of child custody, giving specific attention to the option of joint custody, parental satisfaction, children's adjustment, the importance of parental cooperation, and the role of the teacher in helping children of divorced parents. (RH)

Parental kidnapping could lead to a lawsuit against the school or principal. After general building security, schools need to check on custody status, network with the courts, and convince both custodial and noncustodial parents that schools are on the children's side. A summary provides 14 steps to safeguard against parental kidnapping. (MLF)

Describes Beloit (Wisconsin) School District's systemwide policy on school-related rights of divorced parents. In 1982, a committee of divorce lawyers, clinical social workers, school administrators, and a judge designed a comprehensive policy (based primarily on "no fault" divorce provisions) governing visits during school hours,…

Prepared by the District of Columbia Street Law Project for its annual city-wide mock trial competition, this instructional handout provides material for the hearing of a custody dispute. Martha Winstead petitions the court to order the Church of the New Family to turn over her 18-year-old son, Jeremiah, to her and to allow her custody. Jeremiah…

This handbook was written for parents, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and government officials who deal directly with cases of parental kidnapping. It provides a guide through the criminal and civil justice systems and a summary of the laws on parental kidnapping. Actions that parents can take and laws that may help them when their children…

Offers administrative directives, including visitor identification and student release policies and a specific release procedure, for preventing and dealing with problems related to child snatching by spouses or former spouses. (KS)

Background: The area of child custody assessments continues to fail to meet the evidence-based threshold now established in clinical practice. This is despite the existence, for many years, of published guidelines governing the practice of custody assessments available from a number of professional bodies. Methods: This article reviews the…

This paper recognizes an increasing demand for counseling services for children and adults affected by divorce and notes that counselors traditionally have not been trained to provide such services. It presents a six-unit training outline which can be used as a course or as an inservice workshop for training mental health workers in offering…

Intended for counselors working in schools or residential child care settings, in child welfare and family preservation services, or in juvenile justice, this facilitator's guide outlines a workshop for children and adolescents growing up in single-parent families. The guide first presents a framework for a one-class or five-class workshop…

Noting the increase in false accusations of child sexual abuse where divorce and custody litigation is in progress, this book examines the consequences of such accusations for everyone involved and provides defensive strategies for those falsely accused. The book draws on four case studies, including a personal one, to illustrate the chronology…

This document addresses the needs of mental health consultants involved in decision-making in custody disputes. A psycho-ecological model for assessing contexts of development in cases involving preschool children is presented, and the theoretical basis and rationale for the model are discussed. Issues, instruments, and findings of recent…

Lesson plans, teaching materials, visual aids, and handouts for use in a workshop for child welfare workers on termination of parental rights are provided in this manual. The curriculum is designed to increase understanding of the legal system; knowledge of law, legal procedures, terms and concepts; and decision-making skills and skills needed for…

Intended for parent educators, this facilitator's guide outlines a workshop for single parents to help them meet the challenges of raising children alone. The guide first presents frameworks for a 1- or 2-hour workshop and for an 8-session workshop. The remainder of the guide corresponds to a 28-minute companion video, presenting questions for…