Conducting Parenting Plan Evaluations with Integrity: A Best Practice Booster

Hosted by: Lori A. Love, Ph.D.

Instructor: Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, LPC, MA

Approved for 2.0 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements | 2025 Annual Update Breakout Course

Program Description:

Parenting plan evaluators face increasing pressure to deliver work that not only adheres to professional standards but also withstands legal scrutiny.

This presentation begins with a focus on best practices in parenting plan evaluations highlighting common pitfalls and emerging challenges faced by even the most seasoned professionals. Participants will explore the value of work product review as a powerful tool for strengthening judgment, reducing bias, and fostering transparency. Rather than viewing work product reviews as adversarial, evaluators are invited to see it as an opportunity to sharpen their thinking and improve clarity in their evaluations. Insights from respected voices in the field will help practitioners understand their core responsibilities and recalibrate their approach with confidence.

Building on this foundation, the presentation transitions to a practical framework for identifying and testing alternative hypotheses early in the evaluation process. While the concept is frequently mentioned, the mechanics of hypothesis formulation and documentation are often overlooked. Attendees will learn how to structure alternative hypotheses with intent, track their evolution, and communicate findings in a way that mitigates bias. Discussion will include strategies for integrating these hypotheses into written reports in alignment with ethical standards and effective communication.

California Rules of Court Subject Matter by the Numbers:

5.220 (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (j)    ||    5.225 (d)(5), (d)(7), (d)(8), (d)(9), (d)(11), (d)(17), (d)(20), (d)(21)

This course is a breakout course that was presented as part of the 8-hour 2025 Annual CCE Update.

Goals & Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate key responsibilities in parenting plan evaluations and pinpoint frequent challenges that compromise clarity, neutrality, and utility to the court.
2. Analyze how best to incorporate feedback from work product reviews to refine their decision-making, enhance transparency, and reinforce best practices.
3. Describe how to construct thoughtful hypotheses early in the evaluation process and use structured methods to assess competing explanations for family dynamics and behavior.
4. Analyze how to design reports that organize findings clearly and reflect a deliberate approach to hypothesis development and testing.