Linda Scher
Family Mediator and Facilitator
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Use the links below to find what you need.
- Improve Your Communication
Special Issues for Parents
There are special issues for parents who are separating and their children. Because of some of these concerns, the State of Oregon requires parents to file a general or a detailed Parenting Plan when they are filing for divorce or for a custody order, and to attend a Parent Education class. Mediation is especially suited to address the issues and concerns around children and future parenting that arise when parents separate or divorce or have not lived together at all.
If you are interested in books, and other resources for parents and children, go to the Resource List. Dr. Herman Frankel has written a sample Parent Pledge that you might find helpful in setting rules for yourselves during this difficult time. You can view more of his materials at Divorcework.com.
If you would like some help with communication, take a look at the email templates on this site, the Four Steps of Mediation and the Talker-Listener Card.
PARENTING PLANS
A parenting plan addresses the schedule for a child and how the parents will make decisions about the child in the future. Mediation can help you to form a detailed parenting plan that is customized to the needs of the child and the parents.The Oregon Judicial Department has also created three excellent publications that can help you to create your parenting plan, the Basic Parenting Plan Guide, Basic Parenting Plan Packet, and Safety Focused Parenting Plan. All can be found at the Parenting Plan Page of the Oregon Judicial Department website.
PARENT EDUCATION
For information on the Parent Education classes in Multnomah, Washington or Clackamas counties, see below. For information on classes in other counties in Oregon, go to the Oregon Judicial Department websiteParent and Child Divorce Education Programs by County
| Clackamas | |
| Program Name: | Parents Helping Children Cope With Family Change |
|---|---|
| Location: | Family Court Services 2051 Kaen Road, Room 369 Oregon City, OR 97045 |
| Online Registration: | http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/fcs/parents.htm |
| Coordinator: | Lauren Mac Neill, (503) 655-8415 |
| Cost: | $70 (reduced to $55 if registered before filing papers or within 15 days of filing) |
| Offered On: | Wednesdays |
| Time: | 3.5 hours |
| Multnomah | |
| Program Name: | Parents Helping Children Cope With Family Change |
| Location: | Multnomah County Courthouse (Tu/Sat) 1021 SW 4th Ave. Portland, OR 97204 Juvenile Justice Complex (Th) 1401 NE 68th Avenue, Room 1201 Portland, OR 97213 |
| Online Registration: | http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/dcj/fcourtregisteronline.shtml |
| Coordinator: | Chris Christensen, (503) 988-3037 |
| Cost: | $70 (reduced to $55 if registered before filing papers or within 60 days of filing) |
| Offered On: | Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings |
| Time: | 3.5 hours |
| Washington | |
| Program Name: | Kid’s Turn |
| Location: | Various locations in Hillsboro, Beaverton and Tualatin |
| Online Registration: | www.youthcontact.org |
| Coordinator: | Mandy Ramsey or Rachel Garcia (503) 846-0665 |
| Cost: | Sliding scale: $210 - $45 |
| Offered On: | Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening or Saturday morning |
| Time: | Four 1 ½ hour sessions, once a week for 4 weeks |
| Curriculum: | Parents and children (age 5-16) attend separate workshops |