THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUT

One resource that is worth considering is The Children's Law Center of Connecticut, a non-profit agency which works on behalf of indigent children. 

But before I go further providing information about the Center, I'd like to let you know that I have some misgivings about the group.  Although, I do recall that a few people in a support group I attend mentioned the Center and appeared to be doing well participating in their services, I did not pursue any work with the Center because they insist that the husband and wife meet together with the therapist. As a person who was abused and severely traumatized at the time, I did not feel that I would be emotionally capable of doing that. 

In my view, anyone traumatized by a psychopathic abuser should not be forced to meet in the same room for mediation with such an abuser because most victims do not have the emotional capacity to handle it.  The literature in regard to abuse overwhelmingly agrees with me in regard to this point.  Furthermore,most mental health professionals trained in abuse would not advise a victim of domestic violence sit in the same session with an abuser. 

Therefore, it did not impress me that The Children's Law Center did not allow for meetings with each parent separately given that they are supposed to have expertise in high conflict divorce.  Many of these divorces, I would assume, involve domestic violence or some other kind of spousal abuse that would preclude the parents meeting together. The very fact that the Center rules out the option of separate meetings shows very little insight into the problem of abuse.

Still, even granting this problem, it is possible that for the right kinds of people the Children's Law Center of Connecticut could be very helpful.  So, what are the ways that it could be helpful?

Apparently, the Center provides support in four areas which  are as follows: 

First, there is representation for children. The Children's Law Center will provide experienced attorneys who can act as guardian ad litems for children whose parents are involved in high conflict divorces in family court.  These attorneys are appointed by the court and are free of charge granted the parents meet the eligibility requirements established by the court to determine that they are indigent.

Second, the Children's Law Center provides mediation services through their Families in Transition Program.  This program assists parents in putting together workable parenting agreements that can reduce the kinds of parental battles that arise as a consequence of high conflict divorces. This program is not just limited to those who are indigent; it is available based upon a sliding scale.

Third, there is a legal hotline where you can obtain free legal advice on Family Law at:  1-888-529-3667.  This hotline provides callers with help on questions regarding divorce, custody, guardianship and any other issues regarding children in family court.  Attorneys and paraprofessionals answer these calls from 9am to 5pm each day. 

Four, the Center apparently involves itself in legislative and appellate advocacy on behalf children.

The Children's Law Center was founded in 1993 after a six year old girl was shot and killed by her father during court ordered supervised visitation. It was established by a coalition of professionals in the field of family law who wish to protect children from this kind of tragedy.  Currently, it serves around 550 children per year, half of whom are minorities and all are poor. 

Again, I have some skepticism because many of the attorneys on the Board of Directors and those listed later on in the donor lists are the same folks whose policies I have had reason to criticize on this blog. However, I don't want that to be a reason for me to act like this resources doesn't exist.  Who knows, give it a shot.  Maybe the Center could be helpful to you.  Let me know what your experiences are and then I can do a better job of letting people know whether taking  advantage of the Children's Law Center makes sense or not. 

It is you guys out there who are in the midst of  the shit and trying this approach and then that approach, and who end up trying out this Children's Law Center, who can give us the feedback we need so this blog can guide people properly. So, whatever you can do to let us know, I appreciate it.

FYI, the Children's Law Center of Connecticut is located at:  30 Arbor Street, North Building, 4th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106.  Phone:  860-232-9993, Fax:  860-232-9996