The Ohio chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts held its first training on April 8.

The Ohio chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts held its first training on April 8.

Ohio’s chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts held its inaugural education program this week at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

The program on April 8 focused on same-sex parenting and featured Dr. Corrine Reczek, an assistant professor at The Ohio State University Departments of Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Dr. Reczek provided an overview of the current academic research on the relationship dynamics of same-gender couples, focusing on the effects of same-gender parenting on children’s mental and physical well-being outcomes. She also presented new research using national survey data examining both adult and child well-being in same-gender married and cohabiting families. A panel discussion followed about practical parenting experiences and challenges, mental health, and legal issues.

Ohio’s Association of Family and Conciliation Courts is an organization of 80 professionals from the state’s legal, such as judges, magistrates, and court administrators; social service; and mental health communities who are committed to minimizing conflict between parents and enhancing the well-being of children. It’s part of a national Association of Family and Conciliation Courts network that includes chapters across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The goals of the Ohio chapter are to:

• Provide opportunities for cross-discipline training and continuing education for those involved in making decisions about the care of children living in restructured families
• Provide a forum to share information, network, and explore ideas about current research, promising policies, practices, and programs
• Provide leadership to improve services and justice-system processes to help parents and children reach beneficial and enduring resolutions

A regional conference will be in Columbus on Nov. 5-7, and Ohio court personnel and attorneys are encourage to submit workshop proposals.