Pass bill to Eliminate Forensic Custody Evaluations in New York State

NEW YORK - Jan. 26, 2024 - PRLog -- Dear Governor Hochul, and New York State Legislators,

I am writing to bring to your attention the recent findings and recommendations of the NY Blue Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations.

A majority of Commission members, by an 11-9 margin, advocate for the complete elimination of forensic custody evaluations.

Currently, there is a bill to end Forensic Custody Evaluations bottled up in Children and Families and the Judiciary Committees, Sponsored by both the Assembly and the Senate.

I would like to draw your attention to a proposed solution outlined in Dr. C.A. Childress's book, "The Key to Solving High-Conflict Divorce in the Family Courts: Proposal for a Pilot Program in the Family Law Courts." Dr. Childress suggests the implementation of a pilot program in collaboration with a research-level clinical psychology university program, requiring both state and federal funding.

It is grievous that this information and potential solution, available since 2015, has not been championed until now. Dr. Childress's petition to the American Psychological Association, with over 20,000 signatures, did not yield the desired response.

As a progressive state and legislature, we have an opportunity to lead by example and address the ongoing mental health issues in divorcing and separating families.

By implementing a pilot program in collaboration with top universities, we can not only enhance the well-being of families but also free up judicial resources in our overburdened system. This will empower judges to draft orders with confidence, knowing that they are based on the most current knowledge and best practices.

I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. I believe that with your support, we can take a significant step towards reforming our family court system and ensuring the welfare of the families in the state of New York.

Sincerely,

We Will Be Heard

http://www.unpanelpa.com