In FRSC, a Family Consultant works with each family. The Family Consultant is a mental health professional who knows a lot about the feelings adults and children may have during the process of establishing two households. The Family Consultant also knows a lot about the children’s need to keep good relationships with both parents.
In FRSC, your Family Consultant can help you learn ways to help yourself and your child or children as you all adjust to your changing family life. The Family Consultant is not your therapist or counselor, but will try to help you look forward. The FC will help you plan for the future and gain the skills you need to work cooperatively with your coparent. The FC will also give you information for helping the children adjust to the parenting schedule and all the other changes that are happening. The Family Consultant will work with you if you have problems communicating with your co-parent about the children and will give suggestions for how you can improve your communication.
After getting to know you, the FC may suggest some resources in the community that could be helpful to you. The resources might be to help you find new housing or get financial advice or join a parenting class or get emotional support or do a job search. They might also include services that your children may need such as educational or emotional support.
The FC will meet with you in a “Guided Interview” that will help the FC understand your situation. It will also give the FC a chance to help you make the most of the FRSC process. Most likely, the FC will meet with you a number of times during the FRSC process to help you prepare for each stage of the process and stay on top of problems if they arise. The FC will also help you get the information you need to plan wisely for the future.
The FC will help you prepare for each court conference and will be at the court conference with you. The FC will usually summarize your situation for the judge and give recommendations for your next steps in the court process. The FC will work together with the full FRSC Team to support you and your family throughout the process.