Dear AFCC Colleagues,
As many of us welcome the crisp autumn air and vibrant colors of October, I find myself reflecting on past accomplishments and looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
I’m excited to share that AFCC membership has reached a post-COVID high. At a time when many organizations face diminishing membership, this growth reflects how often non-members join us for an event or training, see the value firsthand, and choose to make AFCC their professional home. It also speaks to the remarkable dedication of our chapters, whose leadership continues to expand the reach and relevance of our mission and vision. My heartfelt thanks to our chapter leaders and members who foster connection and professional growth in their communities. Each chapter is, and each of us as individuals are, part of this interdisciplinary organization whose vision is “A justice system in which all professionals work collaboratively through education, support, and access to services to achieve the best possible outcome for children and families.”
Leaders like Dawn Smith, JD, and Daniel Bloom, JD—now launching our provisional Georgia chapter—embody that momentum. Their session at the Nov 12th Fall Virtual Conference, “So Much More Than Voice of the Child: Roles of Guardians ad Litem in Family Court,” speaks to me. My work has centered on bringing children’s voices into the family court process safely and effectively. I chose, post-bench, to join a mediation center with an interdisciplinary team that includes licensed, specially trained Child Specialists. So, it’s sessions like these that captures the kind of thoughtful, practical collaboration that makes AFCC my professional home. Join us for this jam-packed event. Members outside the US and Canada may register at no charge and access all recordings.
Another recent highlight was the AFCC–AAML Joint Conference in San Francisco. More than a meeting, it was a living example of our mission: legal and mental health professionals learning together, challenging one another, and collaborating to improve practice for the benefit of children and their families. The energy and ideas shared there continue to inform our programs and partnerships moving forward.
Looking ahead, our upcoming virtual trainings—The Fundamentals of Parenting Coordination (Dec 1), Advanced: Parent-Child Contact Problems (Jan 12), and The Fundamentals of Conducting Parenting Plan Evaluations (Mar 9)—are designed to build concrete skills that translate directly to better outcomes for families. These courses reflect our core purpose: equipping professionals with evidence-informed tools and an interdisciplinary lens, in an accessible format.
And on the horizon, the AFCC 63rd Annual Conference (May 27, Seattle, WA, save the date!). The depth and breadth of proposals we’ve received speak to the vitality of our field and our community. While we can’t program every excellent submission, the abundance of ideas is a good problem to have. It ensures a conference that advances the work we all care about.
Thank you for your passion, generosity, and trust. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more connected AFCC that continues to influence family justice across the globe.