A Central Ohio court initiative designed to help separating parents manage custody disputes without courtroom battles has gained international recognition and could serve as a blueprint for jurisdictions across the state.

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The Delaware County Domestic Relations Court in Delaware County, Ohio, offers a free Co-Parent Coaching program to local families facing custody disagreements. First launched in 2020, the initiative recently received the international Irwin Cantor Innovative Program award from the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Through the program, participating parents meet with a trained coach over six sessions to work through critical arrangements, including visitation schedules, financial issues, and communication boundaries. Amy Armstrong, a family resource coordinator and social worker with the court, stated that the sessions provide a constructive environment outside of traditional court proceedings, giving parents room to speak openly and establish long-term plans.

Armstrong noted that traditional courtrooms can cause litigants to censor themselves or focus heavily on blame to secure a favorable ruling. The coaching model allows parents to set their own discussions, work through emotional barriers, and reduce conflict so children are not caught in the middle. Court surveys gathered before and after the sessions indicate that participants experienced lower conflict, increased mutual understanding, and greater confidence in handling future disagreements.

While judges occasionally order parents to complete the program, most couples participate voluntarily. The initiative has attracted interest from other Ohio jurisdictions, including courts in Hamilton County and Portage County. Armstrong noted that legal verdicts alone rarely address underlying relationship problems, expressing hope that co-parent coaching will eventually become a statewide standard to better support families and reduce strain on the court system.

Source: WOSU — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Barnaamijka Caawinta Waalidiinta Delaware County oo Ku Guuleystay Abaalmarin

Maxkamadda Delaware County Domestic Relations Court ee ku taal gobolka Ohio ayaa bixisa barnaamij lacag-la’aan ah oo loogu talagalay in lagu taageero waalidiinta marka uu furriinku ka dhex dhaco. Barnaamijkan oo loogu magac daray Co-Parent Coaching ayaa dhowaan ku guuleystay abaalmarinta caalamiga ah ee Irwin Cantor Innovative Program, taas oo ay bixiso hay’adda Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Barnaamijkan oo bilaabmay sannadkii 2020 ayaa waalidiinta siiya lix kalfadhi oo tababar ah. Kalfadhiyadaas ayaa looga wadahadlaa jadwalka booqashada carruurta, u dhaxaynta arrimaha dhaqaalaha, iyo xallinta caqabadaha isgaarsiinta. Waxaa loogu talagalay in waalidiintu ay ka fogaadaan in carruurtu ay ku dhex jiraan muranka iyo shucuurta ka dhalata furriinka.

Amy Armstrong, oo ah isuduwaha kheyraadka qoyska iyo shaqaale bulsho ee barnaamijka, ayaa sheegtay in hoolka maxkamadda uusan inta badan ahayn meel ku habboon oo lagu xalliyo arrimaha xiriirka qoyska. Armstrong waxay tilmaamtay in tababarku uu waalidiinta ka caawiyo in ay yeeshaan wadahadallo dhab ah oo ka baxsan caddadiska maxkamadda, iyagoo samaysanaya qorshe waara oo carruurta ka dulqaadaya culayska muranka waalidiinta.

Inkastoo garsoorayaashu ay mararka qaar ku amri karaan waalidiinta in ay barnaamijka ka qaybqaataan, badanaa waalidiinta ayaa iyagu iskood u codsada. Maxkamadaha deegaannada Hamilton iyo Portage ee gobolka Ohio ayaa muujiyay danta ay ka leeyihiin hirgelinta barnaamij noocan oo kale ah. Armstrong waxay sidoo kale rajaynaysaa in dadaalkan loo rogo mid ka hawlgala gobolka oo dhan si loo yareeyo culayska saaran maxkamadaha iyada oo lagu taageerayo qoysaska hab dibadda ka ah garsoorka.

Xigasho: WOSU