SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Jan. 9, 2013 -- Congratulations to Dr. Neil Ribner, professor in the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego. He received a $60,000 grant in December from the Clare Rose Foundation to develop a Parenting Coordination program and collect data on its effectiveness.

Parenting Coordination is an alternative dispute resolution process for parents who are divorcing. It combines assessment, education, case management, conflict resolution and, sometimes, decision-making functions.

A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is typically appointed by a court order or private consent agreement to help parents implement, modify and comply with a parenting plan. PCs assist parents by providing education about: (1) co-parenting and parental communication; (2) the psychological and developmental needs of the children; (3) strategies to manage conflict and reduce the negative effects on children; and (4) effective post-separation parenting.

Alliant International University in San Diego has created a pro bono/low-fee Parenting Coordination program in San Diego under the direction of Dr. Ribner. Interns will provide PC services. These initial funds will go toward hiring a supervisor, buying PC manuals, training interns and administrative costs.