NCJ Number
133683
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (1991) Pages: 9-23
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
To ensure the protection of children whose parents are separated or divorced, a few courts across the country are soliciting volunteers from the community to serve as children's advocates.
Abstract
These volunteers supervise the child-sharing arrangements between divorcing parents, work directly with the parents to resolve conflicts arising from custody/visitation issues, and, most importantly, influence and moderate the parents' behavior toward each other. They become role models for the parents and mentors for the children. They also ensure that the children receive needed health services as well as provide insightful perspectives to the court on child custody issues. By continuing to monitor the child and visitation schedules after the parties have left the courtroom, they prevent the child from becoming a "football" on the emotional battlefield of the warring parents. Hopefully by providing greater exposure to the few courts who have adopted such programs, this new concept will become more accepted and implemented throughout the family court system. 76 notes