» Member Meeting

Transitioning Clients in Collaborative Divorce Presented by: Teresa Cole, Esq. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Every divorce has its own difficult issues to surmount, but divorces where one of the spouses is transitioning to their true gender identity present some especially challenging issues. Collaborative Attorney, Teresa Cole, will discuss various aspects of working with divorcing clients in the Collaborative Process where one of the clients is Transgender or the parties are dealing with Transgender or Gender Spectrum issues with one of their children. Learn why the Collaborative Process is by far the best process for these families and how to be prepared to discuss the Collaborative Process with both a Transgender client and a Cisgender client who are divorcing and may be struggling with different concerns. Please note: This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please contact the DCACP Adminstrator at DCACP.office@gmail.com for more meeting information. Kindly submit an RSVP below to record your attendance. Read More

Re-envisioning the Law as a Reference Point in Collaborative Presented by: Erin Golding, Esquire and Sue Soler, LCSW-C, LICSW Wednesday, October 9, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM “The Law is only one of the reference points” is what we often say to clients when we discuss Reference Points as a framework for evaluating options. However, some of our clients get overly focused on the law, others want to completely disregard the law when it doesn’t fit with what they think is fair, and in other cases, the attorneys don’t agree on how the law would apply in a given case. Finding new ways to talk about and apply the law in our cases is essential for us to work better together as a team and to avoid the law from derailing our cases. We will share thoughts and ideas on just this–how to talk differently about the law as a reference point and how to get ahead of situations in which the law may make resolution harder. Please note: This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please contact the DCACP Adminstrator at DCACP.office@gmail.com for more meeting information. Kindly submit an RSVP below to record your attendance. Read More

Monthly Member Meeting Wednesday, January 11, 2023 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Supporting Adults and Children When New Partners Enter the Picture After Separation/Divorce Presented by Karen S. Bonnell In many of the families we work with, a parent’s new romantic partner is part of the picture, or parents anticipate dating in the future as they move through the divorce process. Karen Bonnell, a mental health professional (retired) with over 40 years of experience working with families as a therapist, divorce/co-parent coach and mediator will join us to answer some of our most pressing questions. Today, Karen helps parents Divorce Well – prepare their children for two-home family life, Co-Parent Strong – strengthen their co-parenting skills, and Step-Wise – assist with how to successfully introduce kiddos to a new romantic partner and integrate a new adult into two-home family life – best practices while moving toward stepfamily. Karen will speak to so many of the issues we have all wondered about: How does growth and development play into a child’s readiness to integrate a new adult into their sense of family? How do we help parents and the person their dating to understand the axiom that “the slower we go, the faster we’ll get there”? Help parents see, anticipate and manage the “five stepfamily challenges” that begin during the dating phase – for example, discipline. Help parents appreciate the impact of dating on their co-parenting relationship, how to discuss dating with a co-parent, and how to prevent the risk of children falling into painful loyalty binds; important considerations when developing a parenting plan that supports next-time family. Help parents begin to imagine the purpose of forming a constructive parenting coalition where all the adults communicate and work together on behalf of the kiddos… huge impact post-decree. Please note: This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please contact the DCACP Adminstrator at DCACP.office@gmail.com for more meeting information. Kindly submit an RSVP below to record your attendance. Read More

Monthly Member Meeting Wednesday, November 9, 2022 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Introducing the DMV Social Media Campaign Please note: This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please contact the DCACP Adminstrator at DCACP.office@gmail.com for more meeting information. Kindly submit an RSVP below to record your attendance. Read More

Monthly Member Meeting Wednesday, October 12, 2022 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Raising Happy Rainbows: LGBTQ+ Youth in Divorcing Families Presented by Amy Cannava, Ed.S., NCSP The vast majority of LGBTQIA+ youth are born to heterosexual parents. This often leaves even the most well-meaning parents unsure of where to turn for needed affirming medical and socio-emotional supports. Parents may not always see eye-to-eye on how to best support their children and that can lead to marital conflict. Therefore, divorce professionals need to be informed about the development of sexuality and gender identity, the coming out process, the impact of affirmation, disproportionate risk facts of queer and trans youth, and family dynamics. This presentation will arm attorneys, financial neutrals and mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to better advocate for their adult clients AND the children they are raising. Please note: This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please contact the DCACP Adminstrator at DCACP.office@gmail.com for more meeting information. Kindly submit an RSVP below to record your attendance. Read More

Monthly Member Meeting Wednesday, September 14, 2022 5:45 PM – 8:00 PM Presentation begins at 6:30 PM. Raising Happy Rainbows: LGBTQ+ Youth in Divorcing Families Presented by Amy Cannava, Ed.S., NCSP The vast majority of LGBTQIA+ youth are born to heterosexual parents. This often leaves even the most well-meaning parents unsure of where to turn for needed affirming medical and socio-emotional supports. Parents may not always see eye-to-eye on how to best support their children and that can lead to marital conflict. Therefore, divorce professionals need to be informed about the development of sexuality and gender identity, the coming out process, the impact of affirmation, disproportionate risk facts of queer and trans youth, and family dynamics. This presentation will arm attorneys, financial neutrals and mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to better advocate for their adult clients AND the children they are raising. Read More

DCACP 2022 Summer Party! Wednesday, June 8, 2022 St Vincent’s Wine Bar Party starts at 5:30 PM. Weather permitting (fingers crossed), this event will be held outside on the upstairs deck. Tickets for attendees are $40 per person. Please purchase your ticket(s) by Wednesday, June 1. Warmly, The Enlivenment Committee Read More

Monthly Member Meeting Wednesday, May 11, 2022 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM No Justice No Peace – pushing forward in our Equity and Inclusion work. Presented by DCACP E&I working group. Read More