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Family Law Forensic Mental Health (FLFMH) is facing a critical juncture. With many professionals retiring or leaving the field—often due to its inherently litigious nature and the demands it places on practitioners—there is a growing shortage of qualified experts. This exodus is creating a significant gap in access to essential services for families and the courts. The few remaining specialists are stretched thin, managing overwhelming caseloads and extended waitlists. Meanwhile, most academic and clinical training programs offer limited, if any, opportunities for education in FLFMH, making it difficult for new professionals to enter the field.

Following 3 years of collaboration, AFCC and ABA Family Section Task Force, under the leadership of Nancy Ver Steegh, JD, MSW, Chair; Stacy Heard, JD, Chair; Donna Erez-Navot, JD, BSW, Reporter, unanimously approved the 2025 Revisions of Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation. Below, Donna Erez-Navot shares a reflection of the Task Force's journey to the publication of the Standards through her foreword, and a link to review the final product.

I begin my term as AFCC president deeply impressed by the achievements of my predecessors and each of you, my colleagues. Each one of you brings something important to the table, and hopefully, takes something back. I am grateful to all of you for the work you have done, and for this amazing opportunity I have been given to assist in leading AFCC. Thank you.

Check out some shots of the Evening Celebration at AFCC's 62nd Annual Conference in New Orleans!

Stephanie Tabashneck, PsyD, JD offers practical guidance for family court professionals handling cases involving psychedelic use by parents. She emphasizes assessing the impact on parenting rather than relying on stigma, distinguishing between medical, spiritual, and recreational use, and staying informed about evolving legal and clinical contexts. Key recommendations include using evidence-based evaluations, avoiding overreliance on drug testing, creating individualized parenting plans, and maintaining cultural competence and professional humility throughout the process.