February 19 Other Jennifer E. Joseph, JD Minnesota in Crisis: Practice Tips from the Front Line Working with families who are in the process of restructuring, as we do, is hard work under the best of circumstances. I have had the dubious honor of trying to maintain my practice in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as our state, particularly the Twin Cities metro area, has experienced a surge of over 3000 federal agents in what is being described as “the largest immigration crackdown in [recent American] history.” Regardless of your politics and/or your feelings about the federal government’s handling of this situation, there are undeniable practical implications for providers. Here are a few things I have experienced since the crackdown began just over two months ago, along with some “pro tips” gleaned from some of my colleagues. Continue Reading.
January 20 President's Message Hon. Dolores A. Bomrad (Ret.), AFCC President January 2026 President’s Message Happy New Year! I wish each of you a healthy, happy, and fulfilling one. For just a moment, please bear with me as I indulge in a bit of bully pulpit preaching. For over thirty years, I had the blessing and curse of telling people what to do (after considering the evidence and analyzing the law), and it’s a hard habit to break. In these challenging and often angry times, I urge you to practice and model considerate behavior, patience, and compassionate kindness (especially while wearing your AFCC cap). Inevitably, at some time someone will act in a way that is less than kind toward each of us. When someone cuts in front of you in the grocery store, cuts you off on the road, or takes the parking space you were waiting for, please, instead of reacting with anger, act with kindness borne out of patience and understanding. Perhaps the transgressor is not fully present in the moment for any number of reasons; they just came from the funeral of a loved one, are rushing to get to the hospital to visit a sick child or they just learned that they have a serious illness. Remember that everyone may be facing unseen challenges. Give the benefit of a doubt that their behavior is based not on selfishness or deliberate rudeness, but on human frailty. Wish them well. By responding with empathy instead of anger, we can help make the world a better place. Continue Reading.
January 19 Ask the Experts Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, MA, LPC Beyond the Gut: Using Consultation to Ground Professional Judgment Working with court-involved families can be incredibly demanding, often leaving us feeling isolated as we race from appointment to appointment, trying to squeeze in time for progress notes and reports. In the midst of that whirlwind, we may long for connection with colleagues—not just for stress relief, but to gain valuable perspective and have a sounding board. Yet, all too often, that need slips down our list of priorities. So why is that connection with peers so essential? Continue Reading.
December 18 AFCC Conferences December 2025 Executive Director's Message One of the privileges of leading AFCC is touching base each day with members and contributors throughout the world. In 2025, a common thread ran through these conversations: instability and rapid change. Therapists report clients overwhelmed by the weight of the moment. Our legal colleagues are challenged in an environment increasingly untethered from norms once assumed fixed. Academics describe what seems like a slide in critical thought and original work. Across the board I hear that our members are both unsettled and eager to harness algorithms and AI, which amplify both the turbulence and promise of what’s ahead. Those shifts are felt throughout AFCC in our programming, task forces, and publications. Continue Reading.
December 17 Ask the Experts Amy Armstrong, MSW How to Stop the Fiery Holiday Drama between Separated Co-Parents Before It Even Starts Navigating the holiday season with high conflict co-parents can be among the most challenging work faced by family court professionals. Grievances about the allocation of time sharing, pick-ups and drop-offs, and last-minute scheduling changes can be overwhelming for both professionals and clients. Here are some tips to share with clients to help make the holiday season a little bit easier before the conflict erupts. What other tips would you add?