AFCC is described as an interdisciplinary and international association that is “dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through the resolution of family conflict” (http://www.afccnet.org/).  While the resolution of family conflict is at the center of AFCC’s mission, its workshops, publications, and web presence appear to be much more far-reaching and universally applicable, to all professionals who work in the interests of children and families.  Membership is truly multidisciplinary, with prominent involvement of psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and counselors, but also judges, lawyers, mediators, academics and even financial planners.  This is a rather unique professional organization, without a common profession but with a common goal and commitment.

Among the most helpful reasons to join is the receipt of the quarterly journal Family Court Review.  This publication is sponsored by the Hofstra Law School Center for Children, Families and the Law, and is published by Wiley-Blackwell.  While the topics are quite far-reaching, common areas of interest include domestic violence, child development and attachment, parental alienations, family courts, and child welfare mediation.

The association started in 1963 in California, and by 1964 a two-day conference was held with 90 participants coming from several states.  Publications and conferences started soon after and, by the end of 1969, the focus of AFCC became clarified, with committees established to focus on legislation, professional standards, publications, and membership.  By the end of the 1970s membership grew to 900 members and the office moved to Portland, Oregon (later to Ft. Lauderdale, back to Portland, and now in Madison, Wisconsin).  By mid-2008, membership had increased to more than 42,000 from 19 countries.  State chapters continued to expand, with the recent addition of Louisiana, and the online presence exploded.  Presently there exists an e-newsletter (the AFCC eNEWS), a parenting coordinating listserv (the AFCC Parenting Coordination Network), etc.  AFCC conferences have become major events, with attendance involving over 1,000 participants.

The membership fee is money well spent.  Individual members can join for annual dues of $150.00.  This is available to all professionals and others interested in the resolution of family conflict.  Membership includes a subscription to the Family Court Review, AFCC eNEWS and reduced registration rates for AFCC conferences.  Student memberships are also available with similar benefits for only $25.00.  To belong to the Louisiana chapter, one only has to pay an additional $50.00.  All of this is clearly spelled out on AFCCs excellent web-site (http://www.afccnet.org/).

Presently (Feb. 2012), Pamela Baker, District Judge, is the President of the Louisiana chapter of AFCC.  You must be an AFCC member to join.  You can do this by going to www.afccnet.org, or by calling 608-664-3750.

I can’t say enough about the quality of AFCCs journal and workshops.  To offer a glimpse, the most recent offering of the Family Court Review (Volume 50, Number 1, January 2012) offered the following articles (among others):

• To Whom it May Concern: Why We Do What We Do – A Family Court Reflection
• Skepticism Bordering on Distrust:  Family Law in the Hollywood Cinema
• Moving Beyond Generalizations and Stereotypes to Develop individualized approaches for working with families affected by parental incarceration
• When the cost is too great:  The Emotional and psychological impact on children of incarcerating their parents for drug offences
• Fatherhood in the child support system:  An innovative problem-solving approach for an old problem
• A review of programs designed to prepare parents for custody and visitation mediation
• Family drug treatment courts and social determinants of health
• Assessing danger:  What Judges Need to Know

It should be noted that this was a Special Issue, devoted primarily to the theme of “Children of Incarcerated Parents”.  Many issues carry such themes.  The last issue of 2011, for example, involved several articles on mental health consultants in child custody disputes.  As stated above, the training opportunities are also excellent.  Following is a summary of upcoming offerings (all of which can be reviewed on the AFCC web-site):

• AFCC 49^th ANNUAL CONFERENCE Hyatt Regency Chicago, June 6-9, 2012

• MANAGING PERSONALITY-DISORDERED PARENTS Loyola University Chicago School of Law March 5-6, 2012 with William A. Eddy, MSA, JD

• ADVANCED PARENTING COORDINATION PRACTICE Loyola University Chicago School of Law March 7-8, 2012, Joan B. Kelly, PhD

• 10th SYMPOSIUM ON CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATIONS Arizona Grand Resort, Phoenix, AZ, November 1-3, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION LIKE THIS YOU CAN JOIN THE PREMIUM CLUB TO HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS.

Please join us on facebook under Professional Training Resources, Inc.  Our logo is the profile picture.

REGISTER

OBJECTIVES:

• Describe the current incidence of mental illness in the elderly, along with recent changes.
• Explain how distress syndromes (depression/anxiety) are uniquely manifested in older individuals.
• Utilize recent research findings related to psychotic disorders in older individuals.
• Compare substance and alcohol abuse in the elderly with patterns in younger individuals.
• Discuss recent research developments relating to dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

AGENDA:

8:00 a.m. — 8:30 a.m. — Registration

8:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.

The incidence and prevalence of mental illness in the elderly

Recent changes and trends in mental illness in older populations

10:00 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. — Break

Distress syndromes

-  Anxiety in the elderly

-  Depression and suicide in the elderly

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. –  Lunch Break

Psychotic Disorder in older individuals

The elderly and substance abuse

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. –  Break

The elderly and substance abuse (cont’d)

Latest research on dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

4:00 p.m. –  Adjournment

CE APPROVALS (6 CE’s):

• Psychologist–Professional Training Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists.  “Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for this program and it’s content.”
• Social Workers (NASW 6 clinical hours) –This program has been approved for 6 continuing education contact hours by the National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter, and may be applied toward the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal.
• LPC’s (NBCC)– approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education activities for National Certified Counselors.  We adhere to the National Board for Certified Counselors Continuing Education Guidelines.
• Rehabiliation Counselors (CRCC) –approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for 6 clock hours.
• Substance Abuse Counselor (ADRA) — approved by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority for 6 clock hours.
• LMFT’s (LAMFT) –approved by the LAMFT for 6 clock hours of continuing education
  
• School Psychologist (NASP) –Professional Training Resources is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists.  Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for the program.

REGISTER

ETHICS IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS (morning session 3 ce’s)

OBJECTIVES:

• Describe how children are different from adults with regard to legal status, socialization, and cognitive abilities
• Apply specific professional ethical codes when assessing and treating children and adolescents
• List special considerations relating to informed consent, identifying the client, and what information needs to be communicated to parents

AGENDA:

8:00 a.m. — 8:15 a.m. — Registration

8:15 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.

How children are different in terms of ethical consideration

Ethical codes and children

10:00 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. — Break

Special ethical considerations relating to youth

-  Informed consent

-  Identifying the client

-  What to communicate to parents

11:30 a.m. – Adjournment

ETHICS VS. LAW (afternoon session 3 ce’s)

OBJECTIVES:

• Describe the philosophical and functional differences between legal principles and ethical codes.
• Compare the major ethical codes with legal statutes, emphasizing the areas where there are potential conflicts.
• Apply the ethical code relevant to your profession when faced with potential conflicts between ethics and the law.

AGENDA:

12:30 p.m. — 12:45 p.m. — Registration

12:45 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Ethical codes and the law

-  areas of agreement and conflict

Comparison of different ethical codes for mental health professionals

2:00 p.m. — 2:15 p.m. — Break

Comparison of different ethical codes for mental health professionals (cont’d)

Applying the ethical code when the code conflicts with the law

4:00 p.m. – Adjournment

CE APPROVALS (3 CE’s half-day or 6 CE’s all day) :

• Psychologist–Professional Training Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists.  “Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for this program and it’s content.”
• Social Workers (NASW 3 clinical hours per topic) –This program has been approved for 3 continuing education contact hours by the National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter, and may be applied toward the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal.
• LPC’s (NBCC)– approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education activities for National Certified Counselors.  We adhere to the National Board for Certified Counselors Continuing Education Guidelines.
• Rehabiliation Counselors (CRCC) –approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for 3 clock hours per topic.
• Substance Abuse Counselor (ADRA) — approved by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority for 3 clock hours per topic.
• LMFT’s (LAMFT) — approved by the LAMFT for 3 contact hours per topic.
  
• School Psychologist (NASP) –Professional Training Resources is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists.  Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for the program.

10TH ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH SUMMER SYMPOSIUM
July 25, 2012 – July 27, 2012
The Hilton, 1521 West Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA.

Registration Fees:
$350.00 to attend the entire Symposium or $80.00 per session

Sponsors of the 10th Annual Mental Health Summer Symposium include:

Glenwood Behavioral Health Services

503 McMillan, West Monroe, LA.  71291

REGISTER

Wednesday, July 25th

7:30 am – 8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 12:15 pm – Hoarding (John C. Simoneaux, Ph.D.)
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm – Lunch on your own

1:15 pm – 5:30 pm – Intellectual Disability:  Aspects of the Law that Every Mental Health Professional Should Know (Mike Chafetz, Ph.D., ABPP)

Thursday, July 26th

7:30 am – 8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 12:15 pm – ADHD Across the Lifespan (Luke Elliott, Ph.D.)
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm – Lunch on your own
1:15 pm – 5:30 pm – Calming the Storm:  Crisis Intervention from Theory to Practice (John Strain, LPC)

Friday, July 27th

7:30 am – 8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 12:15 pm – Louisiana Mental Health Law:  Insanity and Incompetence (William “Chuck” Credo, Attorney)
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm – Lunch on Your Own
1:15 pm – 4:30 pm – Ethics and Boundary Violations (John Simoneaux, Ph.D.)

CE APPROVALS (23 CE’s) for the entire Symposium:

• Psychologist–Professional Training Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists.  “Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for this program and it’s content.”
• Social Workers –This program has been approved for 23 continuing education contact hours by the National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter, and may be applied toward the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal.  All courses are clinical hours except for Louisiana Mental Health Law (4 general) and Ethics and Boundary Violation (3 ethical).
• LPC’s (NBCC)– approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education activities for National Certified Counselors.  We adhere to the National Board for Certified Counselors Continuing Education Guidelines.
• Rehabiliation Counselors (CRCC) –approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for 23 clock hours.
• Substance Abuse Counselor (ADRA) — approved by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority for 23 clock hours.
• LMFT’s (LAMFT) — approval is pending but we’ve submitted for 23 clock hours.
• School Psychologist (NASP) –Professional Training Resources is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists.  Professional Training Resources maintains responsibility for the program.

If you need hotel accommodations please call the Hilton at (337) 235-6111, before July 10, 2012 and you will get the rate of $109.00 for doubles and $119.00 for king rooms per night. Tell them that you are with the Summer Symposium.