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New York State Certified Online Parenting Education & Awareness Program. Court approved. For divorcing or separating parents. Can be taken on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. FamilyKind also offers individualized parenting classes and in person parenting classes. Parenting Education PEAP - Parenting Education and Awareness Program PEAP and Client Services Registration Form PEAP Support Group IPE - Individualized Parenting Education PCDN: Parenting Children with Diverse Needs Project SPF Program - Successful Parenting with FamilyKind Universal Parenting Trauma-informed Parenting Diverse Needs Parenting Online-only NYS Co-Parenting Course Clases para padres PEAP Join our Zoom PEAP Class for Divorcing and Separating Parents 2026 Calendar for Live via Zoom PEAP Classes About the Class "Very insightful about dealing with co-parenting situations" - Parenting Education Class Participant For divorcing, separating and never-married parents Class runs 5 hours Participate alongside other parents Learn effective communication strategies Certified classes are available in English $100 Fee Sliding scale and limited fee waivers are available based on need Certificate recognized nationally Six months of free text messages available to reinforce skills Live Classes, virtual via Zoom All classes are from 9 AM to 2 PM ET. Sign up on the Registration Form. or email info@familyKind.org Download the Flyer ENROLL HERE *Pre-registration is required. . . . . . Watch a video from our In-Person Class See more FamilyKind Videos in our Video Archive IPE Individualized Parenting Education (IPE) About the service Parenting educators meet with individual parents, couples or co-parents whose main focus will be to identify, apply and strengthen parenting and family skills over a series of 45-minute sessions. Parents who have completed parenting education classes either at FamilyKind or elsewhere, may work one-on-one with a parenting educator who will optimize the application of previously learned skills. In most cases, you are required to take a parenting class before enrolling in IPE. After that, you may use IPE as a follow-up program to work with a parenting educator on a one-to-one basis to learn important distinctions about parenting strategies, skills and styles. Children of various stages and ages pose parenting challenges, however, as parents gain insights into how to be effective in the best interest of their children, relationships and family well-being improves. “You’ll be amazed at how you can fall back in love with the job of being a parent.” "Experience valuable workforce development for the most rewarding job of your life." Enroll Here See our flyer PEAP SUPPORT GROUP FamilyKind offers a PEAP support group for parents who are separated or divorced Tailored to parents who have completed the FamilyKind PEAP class. Sessions will include research-based information and skills, group discussion, and problem-solving around topics of interest to the parents in the group. SIGN UP HERE. Upcoming group dates to be announced. SUPPORT GROUP HIGHLIGHTS FamilyKind's PEAP parenting support group meets weekly, each session lasts 50 minutes. The support group is facilitated by a professional parenting educator who will guide you through parenting challenges. Clases para padres Nuestro Clases de educación para padres en español. Estas son clases no certificadas. Información sobre Esta Clase: Clases para padres: Una clase de 4.5 horas que se ofrece en persona o en línea para padres que se están divorciando, separando o que nunca se han casado. Los participantes aprenden herramientas y estrategias de gran utilidad para mejorar la comunicación entre los padres y el bienestar de los niños y de la familia. Puede ser en inglés o en español. Pregunta por nuestro Clases de educación para padres en español. (Ask us about Parent Education classes available in Spanish.) Estas son clases no certificadas y no son aceptada por los tribunales del Estado de Nueva York. Haga clic para inscribirse Descarga nuestro folleto en español NYLJ Article "The current pandemic has increased the tensions that normally affect families, and particularly those engaged in divorce proceedings. In the article, Judge Miller eloquently pleads the case for parent education for divorcing parents." Click here to read Judge Miller’s article in The New York Law Journal making a case for parent education for divorcing parents. Judge Sondra M. Miller Parenting Education is Fun and Rewarding. Come Be Amazed!

The lastest global news articles specially curated for FamilyKind readers by the FamilyKind Team. Global Roundup of Divorce and Family News from Around the World FamilyKind Curated For You! April 2026 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a change in divorce law coming from Virginia and Japan; musings on how family separation, due to divorce, should be considered; questions about the viability of marriage today in the U.S; and a look at the unusual move of using a Department of Justice plane in a parental kidnapping investigation. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team a few seconds ago March 2026 Global Roundup Recent family related news included practical advice for women in abusive marriages and a look at the phenomenon of the “alpine divorce.” In China some young women are finding love with chatbots and avoiding romance with men and in the United States divorce is being seen by some trendsetters as an empowering move for women, instead of one of failure. Lastly, we learn that siblings, even growing up in the same household, are affected by a variety of factors that form them indi Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Mar 23 February 2026 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a look at an important study, Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, a framework which successfully mitigates the long-term negative effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences. The benefits and pitfalls of “nesting” are discussed, as are seven signs of danger in a relationship – and ways to positively address them. Different forms of love, marriage and parenthood are being explored globally and some think that Americans cannot afford to Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Feb 25 January 2026 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a look at: what “divorce month” really means and a further exploration of “gray divorce.” Also topping the family news is the growth of apps matching individuals who are interested in finding a platonic co-parent, not a romantic partner, and the results of census research regarding the effects of divorce on children. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Jan 30 December 2025 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a look at factors to consider when contemplating a divorce, including timing, finances and the welfare of the children. Also headlining the news are the challenges of navigating crypto currency during divorce and the stresses immigrant families face in the family court system in the U.K. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Dec 29, 2025 November 2025 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a look at: the decline in the rate of marriage in the United States; a rise in the number of single women over 30 deciding to parent on their own; and the phenomenon of the “quiet divorce.” Also in the family news were two clarion calls: one to end child marriage in America and another to have legal fees in a divorce paid for by the moneyed spouse. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Nov 28, 2025 October 2025 Global Roundup Recent family related news included a look at current divorce statistics and a deep dive into contemporary divorce trends. Also in the family news was a tipoff to troublesome signs to be aware of when planning the nuptials. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Oct 30, 2025 September 2025 Global Roundup Family related news included a focus on: late in life divorce; a parent’s role in helping children use A.I. to their advantage; and eight phrases couples can use to strengthen their relationship. Also in the news, is an in-depth look at a gay mother, and her adult daughter, working together to come to grips with their past. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Sep 29, 2025 Summer Edition 2025 Global Roundup Recent family related news included an exploration of two difficult issues that arise in contested custody cases: balancing the rights of parents with the safety of children; and the validity of therapeutic supervised visitation. “Gray divorce,” “Bird nesting,” and “divorce” in the songbird community rounded out the family related news. Global Roundup Lesley Friedland and the FamilyKind Team Aug 26, 2025 Click here to subscribe to the Roundup!

FamilyKind offers high-quality services for families going through divorce or separation no matter their configuration, or despite their financial situation. All parent education classes, workshops, and services are offered on a sliding scale for those who qualify. Are you separating or divorcing? Learn how FamilyKind can help. 1/4 ONLINE NYS CERTIFIED CLASS Parenting Education Services Groups & Workshops For Professionals Click here to subscribe to our newsletters, international articles and bi-weekly roundups We gratefully acknowledge FamilyKind's many partners and generous supporters who help make our work possible. J. Carlo Cannell Fund of the Community Foundation of Teton Valley Co-working space

See what FamilyKind has been engaged in with the community Community Engagements FamilyKind is involved in many community and professional engagements. Here are just a few: JOIN A FUN, FAMILY-BONDING EXPERIENCE! A Two Generational Program on April 19, 2026. Attend our session on April 19: 4:30 – 6:00 pm: REGISTER HERE Click to Download our flyer EXCITING ROBOTICS CLASSES FOR KIDS (ages 5-9) ... Children will learn about robotics by making robots and learning to code them. ...AND, PARENTS WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN! This program will help parents understand their children, and form nourishing relationships for their children's healthy development. The classes for the children and the classes for the adults, will run concurrently, with the children and adults coming together at the end of each session for fun, family-bonding sharing. * This is a program for both kids and adults. Parent participation is required. ** Please, no children in the parenting classes with the exception of babies up to 6 months old. REGISTER HERE Sponsored by Council Member Gale A. Brewer. Free of charge – registration necessary. FamilyKind in partnership with Robofun . NYACP Special Event in NYC Co-sponsored by FamilyKind The SPLIT Film Event: April 23 @ 4:15 pm – 8:00 pm EST Read the flyer Here Join us for a special film screening of Split and Split Up The Teen Years... SPLIT is film created incollaboration with children ages 6–12, exploring the often frightening and always life-altering separationof their parents. Split gives us the children’s perspective on divorce — no adults, no experts — just kidsspeaking the powerful truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts. Their wisdom, candor, andhumor offer courage to other children and encourage parents to make thoughtful, informed choices asthey move through divorce. After viewing the first film we will watch SPLIT UP: The TEEN Years, whichshows the perspective of these same children ten years later. Location is: One Grand Central Place, Conference Center on 1st Floor, 60 East 42nd Street – New York, NY THURSDAY, April 23, 20264:15pm – 8:00pm THIS EVENT WILL HELP YOU: • Better understand the short and long-term effects of divorce on children • Use this understanding to guide co-parents to make more skillful choices • Discover how to identify critical issues surrounding children’s needs when parents’ divorce • Learn practical strategies of using the SPLIT films and other resources in different practice settings Click to learn more and register FamilyKind in partnership with NYACP. The Origins of FamilyKind Read the article in Legacy Woman Magazine , February 2026 edition FamilyKind founder Lesley Friedland has dedicated herself to donating time to provide high quality mediation sessions, parenting coordination, and more, with a commitment to offering all services on a sliding fee scale. She enlists attorneys, mediators, parenting coordinators, mental health providers, educators and other colleagues to offer their time and expertise to provide assistance to families struggling with divorce or separation. Thus was born FamilyKind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, striving to not only provide these high quality support services to families of all configurations, but also working to change the litigious culture around divorce and separation. Click to Read the Article Click to Buy the Magazine Special Needs Chapter Meeting | Transition Challenges Faced by Parents of Children with Special Needs in partnership with FamilyKind. Feb 3, 2026 | 12pm – 1pm Click on image below to read PDF. LEARN MORE FamilyKind’s services support families, especially those navigating the often turbulent times around parental separation and divorce. Lesley Friedland and Stephanie Jones will present some of the challenges faced by parents of children with special needs going through a family transition. They will highlight the parenting education programs FamilyKind offers and provide an overview of FamilyKind’s services. Speakers Bio: Lesley Ann Friedland is a family law attorney and mediator dedicated to public service. For more than two decades, Lesley served as a Court Attorney and Referee for the NYS Family Court, presiding over custody, visitation, and child protective matters in all five boroughs. While working in the Courts, Lesley helped facilitate the NYS Parent Education & Awareness Program, oversaw the Mediation Department in Kings County, and led the team that developed a program for children of divorce and separation. In March 2012, Lesley left the Family Court and, with a group of like-minded attorneys, mental health experts, mediators, and other seasoned professionals, founded FamilyKind, a not-for-profit organization providing information and supportive services to families experiencing separation and divorce. Lesley currently serves as the Executive Director. Stephanie Jones, M.S. , is FamilyKind’s Director of Parenting Education. She teaches the NYS Certified PEAP Co-Parenting program, serves as an Individual Parenting Education (IPE) Specialist, and is a member of FamilyKind’s core team. With nearly three decades of experience as a parenting educator, Stephanie also owns a family-life consulting business, Just Families. Ms. Jones holds a master’s degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in family life and parent education, and completed a postgraduate fellowship in infant-parent mental health/early relational health. Stephanie has chaired both the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN) and the North Carolina Parenting Education Network (NCPEN). She lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina with her family and enjoys time at the beach, hiking, camping, cooking, and reading. Robofun class 2025 Click on image below to read PDF. JOIN A FUN AND ENGAGING FAMILY EXPERIENCE! A Two Generational Program this Fall. Attend any or all of the following sessions: Sundays, 4:30 – 6:00 pm : Sunday November 23rd, 2025 Sunday December 7th, 2025 REGISTER HERE Click to Download our flyer EXCITING ROBOTICS CLASSES FOR KIDS (ages 5-9) ... Children will learn about robotics by making robots and learning to code them. ...AND, INSPIRING PARENTING CLASSES FOR THE ADULTS! One or two parents/guardians from each family will enhance their parenting skills to build a positive environment at home and provide safe, stable, and nourishing relationships for their children's healthy development. The classes for the children and the classes for the adults, will run concurrently, with the children and adults coming together at the end of each session for inter-generational sharing. * This is a program for both kids and adults. Parent participation is required. ** Please, no children in the parenting classes with the exception of babies up to 6 months old. REGISTER HERE Sponsored by Council Member Gale A. Brewer. Free of charge – registration necessary. FamilyKind in partnership with Robofun . NADP Special Event in NYC Co-sponsored by FamilyKind October 22 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm EST Join us for an exclusive evening centered on Split and its sequel, Split Up . The original documentary, Split , followed 12 children as they navigated their parents’ divorces. Split Up revisits the same young people ten years later, exploring how those early experiences shaped their lives. These two compelling films are a must-see for professionals supporting clients through divorce. They offer invaluable insights into the experiences of children and families navigating divorce. Location is The Theatre Center – 210 W 50th Street – New York, NY 10019 Agenda: 5:30–6:45– Check-in 5:45–6:15 – First Film 1 (Split) 6:15–6:45 – Reception 6:45–7:00 – Intro to second film 7:00–8:00 – Film 2 (Split Up) 8:00–9:00 – Panel & Q&A with Ellen Bruno Event Registration: For Screening of Split and Split Up (5:30-9pm): NADP Members/CDS® Designees: $45 | Non- Members: $55 For screening of Split- Up Only (6:15-9pm): NADP Members/CDS® Designees: $35 | Non-Members: $45 Please register to secure your spot. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions to submit payment for the option you choose. Click to learn more and register FamilyKind in partnership with NADP. JOIN THIS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE HELP FAMILYKIND SUPPORT PARENTING EDUCATION NOVEMBER 12 – 14 and 17 – 18, 2025 Click the image to Download the flyer We are proud to Announce that Our FamilyKind Founder, Lesley Friedland has been invited to participate in this important conference in partnership with AFCC on November 14, 2025. Conference Highlight: Necessity is the Mother of Invention: Creative Interventions for Supporting an Overwhelmed Court System November 12-14 and 17-18, 2025 FamilyKind in partnership with AFCC Dad Dialogues: Real Talk. Real Support. Thursday, May 1st, 8th, 15th | 6:00 pm EST This series was created for fathers of District 75 students by CCD75 & Family Kind. This is a safe space to share, reflect, and connect with other dads who understand your unique journey. WHAT TO EXPECT: Real conversations with fellow dads Strategies for self-care and advocacy Connection, understanding, and encouragement Resources tailored to your experience LEARN MORE and REGISTER COME AS YOU ARE. YOUR STORY MATTERS. YOUR PRESENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. The impact of virtual live parenting education FamilyKind is very proud to announce an article on virtual parenting education by our Former Director of the Parent Education Department, Yu Jiang (YuJi). Increasing access to quality parent education through virtual synchronous setting: A qualitative study America's crisis of youth mental health challenges has been worsened by COVID-19. Group-based parent education has been proven effective in intervention and prevention; however, a lack of universal access and the business of parents are significant barriers to participation. Rapid growth in technology-based education aims to increase accessibility but live, virtual parent education was understudied. E3 Parent Education (E3PE) was a free, virtual, and synchronous group program offered in Montana by a certified parent educator to support families navigating common and uncommon challenges. Read Full Article Paradigm Shifts Podcast Harriette Steinberg with Lesley Friedland (v ideo podcast) Click the image to watch the video podcast Watch the Podcast on YouTube I had the privilege to be a guest on Harriette Steinberg's podcast, Paradigm Shifts . Tune in to hear us talk about my work at FamilyKind and how we help families going through #divorce and #separation. In this episode of Paradigm Shifts, Harriette Steinberg speaks with Lesley Friedland, Executive Director of FamilyKind. At FamilyKind, Lesley leads a highly skilled team of mediators, parenting coordinators, educators, coaches, communication and stepfamily specialists. FamilyKind supports families prior to, during and after the divorce and separation process by providing a variety of supportive and educational services, helping their clients to keep the kids out of the conflict. Tune in to the episode to learn: * How FamilyKind is trying to change the culture of how society sees divorce and separation * How Lesley transitioned from work as an attorney to co-founding FamilyKind. Click Here to watch the podcast. Or view on your favorite platform LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify Anchor Keep The Kids In Mind Podcast Rachel Green Helping Families Transition Through Separation and Divorce with Lesley Friedland (video podcast) Click the image to watch the video podcast Watch the Podcast on YouTube In this episode of Keep the Kids in Mind , Rachel Green interviews Lesley Ann Friedland, Esq., Founder and Executive Director of FamilyKind. In every episode of Keep the Kids in Mind, Rachel Green, a family, and divorce mediator with over 25 years of experience, interviews Marriage Therapists, Attorneys, Divorce Coaches, Child Developm ent Specialists, Financial Planners, and Teachers to help people who are going through a divorce or separation with children involved. How can divorcing couples keep the kids in mind? What are the common pitfalls for divorcing couples with children and how can people protect children from the conflict, so that they come through whole and healthy? What are the (surprising) benefits to children of divorce? How can the parents move into a restructured family with 2 homes? This podcast explores these questions and more. Click Here to watch the podcast. Engagements FamilyKind’s very own Lesley Friedland recently spoke to BMCC in manhattan. Lesley Friedland, FamilyKind's Founder and Executive Director was awarded at the 2021 BNI professionals meetings for inviting the most guests. Join FamilyKind for this online discussion on April 11, 2024. Click the image below to see the flyer.

New York State Certified Online Parenting Education & Awareness Program. Court approved. For divorcing or separating parents. Can be taken on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. FamilyKind also offers individualized parenting classes and in person parenting classes. Parenting Education PCDN: Parenting Children with Diverse Needs Project PEAP - Parenting Education and Awareness Program PEAP Support Group IPE - Individualized Parenting Education SPF Program - Successful Parenting with FamilyKind Universal Parenting Trauma-informed Parenting Diverse Needs Parenting Online-only NYS Co-Parenting Course Clases para padres FamilyKind Diverse Needs Parenting Project (PCDN) Empowering Families with Children with Diverse Needs Are you a parent or guardian of a child with diverse needs? Are you a school leader or staff who have students with diverse needs? Are you a professional working with families with diverse needs? Free SPF Diverse Needs Fall Class Schedule coming soon Fall classes coming soon. ● Day: Coming soon. ● Time: Coming soon. ● Dates: Coming soon. ● Cost: Free (Made possible by a grant from New York Community Trust) Feel free to share our Summer brochure with people you know! Click on image to download our Class Summer brochure. We invite you to join us in this critical and meaningful journey! The PCDN takes a powerful 2-generational approach, integrating the five domains and protective factors of two foundational frameworks in the field that are promising research-based and practice-proofed: The five domains of the Parent Educator Core Curriculum Framework (PECCF) Parent Development Parent-Child Relationships Childhood/Youth Development Family Development Culture & Community The Five Protective Factors Framework (by Center for the Study of Social Policy ) Parental resilience: Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity and trauma Social connections: Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support Knowledge of parenting and child development: Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development Concrete support in times of need: Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges Social and emotional competence of children: Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships To investigate partnerships or register for classes, please contact us: Call: 929 479 2975 or email: info@familykind.org We thank The New York Community Trust for their generous support. PCDN

New York State Certified Online Parenting Education & Awareness Program. Court approved. For divorcing or separating parents. Can be taken on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. FamilyKind also offers individualized parenting classes and in person parenting classes. Parenting Education PEAP - Parenting Education and Awareness Program PEAP Support Group IPE - Individualized Parenting Education PCDN: Parenting Children with Diverse Needs Project SPF Program - Successful Parenting with FamilyKind Universal Parenting Trauma-informed Parenting Diverse Needs Parenting Online-only NYS Co-Parenting Course Clases para padres SPF Download Brochure Successful Parenting with FamilyKind (SPF) virtual small-group. Please check back for future classes. About the service Participant Eligibility All families with children aged 0-18 are eligible for the SPF program. Program Overview The Successful Parenting with FamilyKind (SPF) Program offers high-quality parenting education that addresses the specific needs of diverse populations within the community. SPF is culturally responsive, takes a 2-generational holistic approach, provides research-based and evidence-informed knowledge, skills, and ongoing support to empower families. Highly-Qualified SPF Parenting Educators All SPF classes are facilitated by state-licensed/certified parenting educators, who possess a master's degree, and are professionally trained and highly competent in tailoring the curricula and topics to meet the individual and collective needs of the families in the group. Click the button to generously support a family to take this group. Sponsor a family with an SPF group! NEW! FamilyKind is very proud to announce a new article on virtual parenting education by our former Director of the Parent Education Department, Yu Jiang (YuJi). The impact of virtual live parenting education CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

FamilyKind provides the FamilyKind Mediation Mentorship Program (MMP), an intensive training designed to give mediators the tools and support they need to open a private practice and to provide high-quality mediation services throughout New York State. Mediation Mentorship Program Join our Mediation Mentorship Program A FamilyKind Professional Program FamilyKind provides the FamilyKind Mediation Mentorship Program (MMP), an intensive training designed to give mediators the tools and support they need to open a private practice and to provide high-quality mediation services throughout New York State. The purpose of the program is to provide newly-trained mediators, or those who have been mediating for some time but who wish to improve their skills, with hands-on experience observing and co-mediating cases with an experienced family and divorce mediator. Each participant will be paired with a highly qualified Mentor and will also be part of an enriched educational and practical environment. To learn more, click on the button below to download our flyer. Or email us at mediationmentorship@familykind.org . Download Flyer Mentorship Program for Professionals

FamilyKind provides support to families in transition due to separation or divorce including parent education, mediation, parenting coordination, GoodTalk4Parents, GoodTalk4Children, family relationships coaching, and more. FamilyKind Services Mediation Parenting Coordination Family Relationships & Email Coaching Sliding Fee Scale For a free, private consultation, confidential intake, or for more information on any of our services – please email info@familykind.org . Mediation Services Mediation Prenuptial • Co-habitation agreements • Divorce/Separation • Marital/Couple • Child Inclusive About the Mediation Services Sessions with trained mediators held remotely or in a private setting Avoid damaging effects of a high-conflict, adversarial process Locations in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and remote access Fees determined on a sliding scale basis Services offered in English, Spanish, French and Russian Resolve parenting time, support and property distribution Types of Mediation Services Offered: Divorce/Separation Marital/Couple Prenuptial/Pre-Cohabitation Child Inclusive For information about any of our Mediation services , please email info@familykind.org . Meet our mediators Parenting Coordination Parenting Coordination About this Service Co-parenting strategies to resolve issues Services provided by trained mental health professionals or attorneys Participate during pendency or after conclusion of case For court-ordered, professionally-referred and self-referred parents Locations in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and remote access Services offered in English and Russian Fees based on a sliding scale Meet our team Relatonships & Communication Relationship & Communication Programs For Couples Email Coaching Sliding Scale of Fees Family Relationships & Email Coaching About the Service Guidance to manage life transitions Clarify needs and concerns to create and meet goals Email revision coaching eliminates high-conflict language Changes to improve co-parenting communication Strengthen stepfamily relationships Locations New York City, Long Island, Westchester and remote access Fees determined on a sliding scale basis Email us for information . . . . . Sliding Fees Scale FamilyKind is dedicated to providing high-quality services and education to all families despite their financial situation. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Call 929 479 2975 or email info@FamilyKind.org for more information.

Meet our Advisory Council who help FamilyKind help you. Our Team Our Core Team Board of Directors Advisory Council Service Providers NextGen Board Advisory Council Sharon Manewitz, Chair https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_d59340d8dcc641778cf4b0cfcca47b0e~mv2.jpeg Ms. Manewitz, is Principal and Executive Director of Manewitz Weiker Associates, LLC, (“MWA”), a women owned advisory firm established in 2008 that specializes in the management and resolution of challenged investments. MWA’s practice concentrates on Corporate Governance, Constituent Advocacy, and Risk Management. Sharon began her career in finance at Bankers Trust Company, where she learned the workout, restructuring and distressed investing business. Sharon worked for TIAA-CREF, the world’s largest private pension fund, managing its workout and distressed investment unit. Sharon’s volunteer activities include acting as Chair of the Advisory Council of FamilyKind LLC, a not-for-profit organization that serves families experiencing separation and divorce. Her professional activities include membership on the Corporate Governance Committee of Turnaround Management Association (TMA) New York, and she is Co Chair of the Annual TMA Global Turnarounds and Transactions Awards Committee. Sharon has a BA in Art History from Hunter College and an MBA in Corporate Financial Management from Pace University. She earned a certificate in Corporate Governance from NYU School of Professional Studies. Lauren Behrman https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ad1438_d6df50c051ec45c18a5303fd5d10b561~mv2.jpg Dr. Lauren Behrman is on the FamilyKind advisory council, and co-chairs the Adult Children of Divorce Committee. She is a clinical psychologist in independent practice for over 34 years. She is a trained mediator, parenting coordinator and mental health professional on collaborative divorce teams, and trains professionals in Basic Collaborative Divorce Practice. Dr. Behrman has written numerous articles and chapters on various topics related to divorce. She guest lectures in law school classes on Collaborative Divorce and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and teaches workshops on conflict resolution internationally. Dr. Behrman is a frequent presenter at IACP, NYACP, AFCC, FDMCGNY, local bar associations, and APA on a variety of divorce-related topics. Dr. Behrman is co-author of:”Loving Your Children More Than You Hate Each Other” published May, 2018 by New Harbinger Press. Dr. Behrman has a private practice in midtown Manhattan and Katonah, NY. John Cappiello https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_4f5627898e2f44898d7a026aaa83ab57~mv2.jpeg John is a trained and certified mediator and family law attorney in New York City. After a decade of experience in both private and government practice, John launched Cappiello Law & Mediation (https://www.lawjfc.com/)in 2025 to provide individuals & families with highly personalized, cost-effective and accessible mediation and family law services. John's mediation and litigation practice areas of expertise include: Assisted Reproductive Technology Law (ART); Foster Care proceedings; Custody, Guardianship & Visitation proceedings; and OCFS Administrative Hearings. Apart from serving on FamilyKind's Advisory Council, John is a proud member of the LGBT Bar NY (former co-chair of the Family & Matrimonial Law Committee) and the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York. John also serves as Of Counsel to Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, PLLC, a boutique family law firm in Manhattan. John is a graduate of the Loyola University Maryland (B.A.) and the Northeastern University School of Law (J.D.). He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. A Connecticut native, John lives in New York City with his husband, William, and their dog, Ripley. Tonya Channell https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_9c198aac98044f38850ef6985ab2fc81~mv2.jpg Tonya worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years in a variety of areas including legal, compliance, risk management, technology and operations. She is currently building a career in real estate; guided by the belief that home is sanctuary, she loves working closely with her clients through their transactions. Tonya divorced in 2015, is mom to a daughter and son and she holds an undergraduate degree in Finance & Investments from CUNY’s Baruch College and a graduate degree in Information Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. Amy Carron Day https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b5afa7_3d128b5ad47247bc9735d4c3255a5dd7~mv2.png Amy Carron Day is a mediator, GoodTalk4Children facilitator and an Advisor for FamilyKind. She has been a family and divorce mediator, as well as a Collaborative divorce attorney in New York for over 25 years. Ms. Day has dedicated her private practice to educating clients with family and divorce disputes to help resolve them out of court in a peaceful, fair and efficient manner. She has always been an active member of the New York State Council of Divorce Mediators and the Family and Divorce Mediation Council, along with the New York Association for Collaborative Professionals in New York City. Ms. Day has worked extensively with children of divorce, as well as teaching conflict resolution skills to children in her volunteer work. She received a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies at Cornell University, then a J.D. at Brooklyn Law School. Michael Duncanson https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_0b71be743a934a00bb52452ece5df3e1~mv2.jpg Michael Duncanson is a parent educator for FamilyKind. Currently, Michael is a board member for Human Development Services of Westchester, an Advisory Board Member for FamilyKind and a board member of Gradbag.He is currently working as a Mental Health Counselor at Redeemer Counseling Services. He is a retired licensed mental health counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with 20 years of service at NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H). He received his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and his master’s degree from NYU. Ana-Lisa Gertner https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_800b587c5d304009bb90b755a97f90e4~mv2.jpg Ana-Lisa Gertner, a mediator for FamilyKind, is a Family Mediator and Divorce Coach at Manhattan Mediators, and a Director at the Center for Mediation and Training in Manhattan. As a mediator she helps families going through conflicts and disagreements arrive at solutions without having to go to court. She has experience mediating a wide range of family conflicts, including parent- adolescent conflicts. In addition to helping couples separate and divorce, Ana-Lisa also works with couples in marital mediation, using mediation techniques to improve the relationship and to help people stay together. Greg Gillman https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_16857c4e950641bbaf1c44301f8e80cb~mv2.jpg Greg Gillman is a seasoned veteran in the e-commerce space, having worked with experts in media buying, creative, venture capital, tech, and more. This experience has given him a deep understanding of the industry, which he leverages to provide clients with a competitive edge. Greg has been a part of some of the biggest and most successful e-commerce brands. His firm, GForce,(https://gforcemedia.com/) helps companies scale their businesses and overcome marketing challenges that may otherwise stand in their way. Nancy Nybergh https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_d469fc96c92d43beb8ccc3eb3faa99b9~mv2.jpeg Nancy Nybergh is a NYS licensed psychoanalyst, certified Gestalt psychotherapist and trainer. Over the past 35 years, Nancy has worked in corporate, nonprofit and government venues mostly in a training capacity but also in various managerial and leadership roles while maintaining a private practice. She has been formerly trained in conflict resolution in both the Position/Interest-Based and Understanding Based models and her certification is pending. Since 2007, Nancy has been teaching the NYS certified Parent’s Assisting Children through Transition class, works full time as a trainer at the New York City Department for the Aging, and teaches NYS Teachers at My Teaching Success. Nancy’s keen interest in and passion for better understanding relationships, communications, and mindfulness inspires her current work, which focuses on these important topics. Nancy received her Masters of Arts in Organization Psychology from New York University and completed a 4 year post-graduate program in Psychotherapy at The Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy. Barbara Rothberg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_0a64beb365de405d977ab1d3cc05afa1~mv2.jpg Barbara Rothberg, a child inclusive mediator, parenting coordinator and Advisory Council member at FamilyKind, is a licensed clinical social worker and has been in practice for more than 40 years. She has additional training and certifications in Family and Couple Therapy, Mediation as well as Child Inclusive Mediation. Barbara has worked as family and couple therapist, mediator, parent coordinator with high conflict couples, and divorce coach/family specialist in conjunction with collaborative attorneys and other mediators. She has experience teaching couples therapy to graduate students, leading seminars and workshops at conferences and presenting to various organizations over the years. Barbara is a member of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council, where she is a board member, the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts, as well as the Gender Project at the Ackerman Institute. She received her doctorate in Social Work at The Graduate Center, Hunter School of Social Work. Wendy Silva https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_e08c1f4e78e747599f20014d2f0dfeac~mv2.jpg Wendy Silva, a member of FamilyKind’s Advisory Council, as well as a parent education teacher, has spent her entire career serving the public interest. She is currently an Associate Court Attorney in the Bronx Surrogate’s Court where she assists self-represented individuals navigate the court processes involving Trust and Estate and Guardianship matters. Wendy has previously worked as a Senior Staff Attorney at Her Justice, a non-profit legal services organization serving low-income women, where she trained and mentored attorneys in the private sector to provide pro-bono representation. Wendy has also represented clients in their family, matrimonial and immigration matters throughout New York City and supervised the first Domestic Violence Legal Project in Northern Manhattan. She has worked on a wide range of legal issues that challenge the disruption of clients’ legal rights to appropriate housing, education, and medical care. Wendy is also a volunteer Community Mediator and Arbitrator. Wendy is fluent in Spanish. She received her J.D. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Law and her BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Steven Soll Biography coming soon. Kim Susser https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_d39f7b110d554ad7be9f83b3228b7245~mv2.jpeg Kim Susser serves as a consultant, trainer, and grant writer to nonprofit and government-funded agencies, including Family Legal Care (formally LIFT), Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp., Hope’s Door, the Children’s Law Center, the Center for Modern Courts, Healing NY (formerly NYSPCC) and Shalom Task Force (STF), where she currently manages the Legal Department, while also maintaining a small private practice for individual representation. Considered an expert in domestic violence and family law, she has over 25 years of experience litigating in the Family, Supreme, and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts of New York State, has published in the Fordham Urban Law Journal and the Lawyer’s Manual on Domestic Violence, and has trained hundreds of professionals statewide. She is the former Director of the Matrimonial and Family Law Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), where she developed a law student clinic to represent victims of domestic violence. She managed a staff of fifteen attorneys and paralegals before launching her independent practice in 2017; in addition to litigation, she has experience in training and supervising attorneys, program development, fundraising, leadership, and board liaison work. Earlier in her career, she served as a staff attorney at Victim Services (now Safe Horizon) and as a trial attorney in the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society and has held academic roles at Touro College Jacob Fuchsberg Law Center, St. John’s University School of Law, and instructor at New York Law School. Ms. Susser received her J.D. from George Washington University National Law Center in 1989 and her B.A. from Clark University in 1986. She is the recipient of the Kathryn A. McDonald Award for Excellence in Service to the Family Court (2009) and the Legal Services Award (2015) from the NYC Bar Association. David Wills https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_c1b6e8db5a3e4a3ab3fc347771bdda9e~mv2.jpg David Wills is a skilled business leader leveraging his degree in business administration concentrating in marketing. Mr. Wills strives to exceed the needs of his clients while executing operations within budget, timeline, and quality. His exceptional interpersonal skills gives him an advantage to interface with key stakeholders to negotiate, present, and close sales deals. As a team leader, Mr. Wills has led teams through seamless operations to efficiently complete projects during challenging deadlines. He strives to cultivate a positive working environment and provide training opportunities for subordinates. Brian Zimmerman https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_82dccc8eec68424284d496024a43e3de~mv2.jpeg Brian Zimmerman, Esq. is an attorney in private practice, as well as be-ing a member of the Assigned Counsel/Attorney for the Child Panel, Kings Count. He specializes in Family Law and Domestic Relations is-sues. He was formally a law guardian with the Juvenile Rights Division for fourteen years. He currently serves as the Vice President of the As-signed Counsel Association of New York State and President of the As-signed Counsel Panel in Kings County. He currently sits on several city-wide committees related to Child Protection, Juvenile Delinquency and Custody Visitation. He is also a former chair of the Family Court Com-mittee of the New York County Lawyers Association, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Interdisciplinary Forum for Mental Health and Family Law. Brian is also a member of the Founding Steering Com-mittee for the Children’s Pact program in Kings County. He is member of the Family Court Screening Committee for Kings County. He co-authored a Law review article with Dawn J. Post entitled, “The Revolving Doors of Family Court: Confronting Broken Adoptions”, 40 Cap. U. L. Rev. 437 (2012). He has lectured on Family Law issues for the New York City Bar Association, the Brooklyn Bar Association, NYCLA, the NYSBA, the New York State Judicial Institute, the Kings County Family Justice Center, New York City Family Court Legal Services Project, The Capital Law School, Wells Conference, American Bar Association Children and the Law Con-ference, St. Johns Adoption Conference, and the First and Second De-partment Law Attorney for the Children’s Office. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Cardozo School of Law.

Upcoming FamilyKind Gala event on recognizing our sponsors... FamilyKind's Upcoming Events Join us and help support FamilyKind On November 29, 2022, people all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities. Will you be one of them? FamilyKind is participating in GivingTuesday , the global day of unity and giving. As you know, our organization helps empower children, parents and couples before, during and after separation or divorce — no matter their family configuration, or financial situation. FamilyKind offers classes and programs for parents, children, and teens as well as informational workshops for adults. Our organization also provides professional mediation, parenting coordination, co-parenting communication, and family relationships coaching services — in all five NYC boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester County — at a sliding scale for those who qualify. We strive to provide high quality services to families no matter their configuration or financial situation. But we can’t do this without you! Not only do we need your support, we need your help to spread the word. Please tell your friends and family why you believe in our work and encourage them to support us too! We hope you can help us reach our goal to continue our mission in supporting families experiencing divorce or separation.

See all the Service Providers who help FamilyKind help you. Service Providers Mediators Parenting Coordinators Coach es Parenting Educ ators Financial Consultants Group/Workshop Leaders Mediators Mediators Helene Bernstein https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_8e131cc8cd6041b89b9cf79215339294~mv2.png Helene Bernstein, a FamilyKind mediator, and member of the Advisory Board, has been a practicing family and matrimonial law attorney for over twenty-five years in New York City representing both adults and children in the Family, Supreme and Appellate Courts. After representing many children in high conflict custody and divorces cases, Ms. Bernstein become trained as a divorce mediator and collaborative attorney in order to improve outcomes for families and provide options outside of the courtroom. Toward that goal, she, along with the founding members of FamilyKind, created a sliding scale fee mediation program for families going through separation and divorce. Ms. Bernstein has been appointed as a mediator for the Kings and New York County Supreme Court Presumptive Divorce Mediation Panels. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Family Divorce Mediation Council and is chair of the continuing education committee. Her numerous professional affiliations include memberships with the New York State Divorce Mediation Council, the National Association for Divorce Professionals, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Interdisciplinary Forum on Mental Health ,and the New York State Women’s Bar Association. Ms. Bernstein graduated with a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from Binghamton University. Jo Brody https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6b670c_15f2bdb603d941a0862d9bcad568b495~mv2.jpg Jo Brody is a mediator with FamilyKind as well as a family and divorce mediator and collaborative attorney in private practice in NYC, Westchester, and “zoom" state-wide. A former commercial litigator, Jo now dedicates her legal and mediation practice exclusively to helping people find non-adversarial resolutions to conflict. Jo’s mediation and collaborative services include divorce, separation, parenting, and finances, as well prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She also offers legal consulting and review for clients in the mediation process, drafting services, and the preparation and processing of uncontested divorce papers. Jo is the former Vice President of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council and Co-Chair of their Mentorship Program, is on the Board of the New York State Council of Divorce Mediation, and is a member of various local and statewide bar associations. She was selected to the Matrimonial Mediation Rosters for the Supreme Courts in Westchester and New York Counties. In addition to FamilyKind, Jo is proud to volunteer/offer sliding scale services with the New York Legal Assistance Group and Westchester Community Mediation Center. Jo received her law degree from New York University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. Catherine Canadé https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6b670c_aa33aa8bbd2847329a7d867bea304f31~mv2.jpg Catherine Canadé is a child inclusive mediator and a consulting attorney for FamilyKind and has worked as a mentor in the FamilyKind Mentorship Program for many years. She has served as a communications coach for couples going through separate and divorce. Catherine is a collaborative attorney and family and divorce mediator in private practice in Brooklyn, Manhattan and on the North Fork of Long Island and also serves as a consulting and review attorney for clients in the mediation process. Ms. Canadé is the former president of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York and former co-chair of their Mentorship Program. Ms. Canadé served for many years on the Custody and Visitation Mediation Panel of the New York City Family Courts and is a long-time certified mediator and mentor at the New York Peace Institute, where she has trained new mediators through their apprenticeship program and helped set up and train mediators in their Custody and Visitation Mediation Program. Ms. Canadé is an active member of the New York State Council of Divorce Mediation, and is the co-founder and former Assistant Director of the National Association Of Divorce Professionals, Brooklyn Chapter, a founding member of the Long Island Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Ms. Canadé is on the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, where she is a founder and co-chair of their Mentorship program and is the co-chair of their Racial Equity Media Club, part of the Racial Equity Committee. Ms. Canadé received her BA with high honors from Vassar College and her JD cum laude from the Washington College of Law at American University. Amy Carron Day https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6b670c_b8e23351af744dac8aaef1254abe7caa~mv2.jpeg Amy Carron Day is a mediator, GoodTalk4Children facilitator and an Advisor for FamilyKind. She has been a family and divorce mediator, as well as a Collaborative divorce attorney in New York for over 25 years. Ms. Day has dedicated her private practice to educating clients with family and divorce disputes to help resolve them out of court in a peaceful, fair and efficient manner. She has always been an active member of the New York State Council of Divorce Mediators and the Family and Divorce Mediation Council, along with the New York Association for Collaborative Professionals in New York City. Ms. Day has worked extensively with children of divorce, as well as teaching conflict resolution skills to children in her volunteer work. She received a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies at Cornell University, then a J.D. at Brooklyn Law School. Ana-Lisa Gertner https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_800b587c5d304009bb90b755a97f90e4~mv2.jpg Ana-Lisa Gertner, a mediator for FamilyKind, is a Family Mediator and Divorce Coach at Manhattan Mediators, and a Director at the Center for Mediation and Training in Manhattan. As a mediator she helps families going through conflicts and disagreements arrive at solutions without having to go to court. She has experience mediating a wide range of family conflicts, including parent- adolescent conflicts. In addition to helping couples separate and divorce, Ms. Gertner also works with couples in marital mediation, using mediation techniques to improve the relationship and to help people stay together. As a coach she works with her clients to determine what is important to them and helps them stay focused on their goals, working with them to strategize and negotiate from a place of strength rather than emotion. She also helps them communicate effectively with their professionals and co-parents. Ms. Gertner trained as a coach at New York University, and she uniquely combines her skills as both a coach and a mediator. Andrew Haas Andrew Haas is a FamilyKind mediator and founder of a private mediation practice based in NYC. Andrew is informed by a deep commitment to supporting each person's voice and vision within the mediation process. He sees mediation as an opportunity for clients to have a different kind of conversation - one which brings clarity, connectedness, and direction for how to move forward. In addition to working with FamilyKind, Andrew enjoys co-facilitating mediation apprenticeships and trainings for Community Mediation Services in Queens, New York. He also serves as a mediation coach at Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law. Andrew is a member of the Family Divorce Mediation Council and the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. He received an M.A. in Peacebuilding and Human Rights Education from Teachers College of Columbia University and an Advanced Certificate in Conflict Resolution from Columbia University's International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution. Andrew attended Wheaton College in Illinois where he studied International Relations. Rich Heller https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6b670c_8367fe67a24046f087c60842523456a3~mv2.jpg Rich Heller serves at FamilyKind as a parent coach, parenting coordinator, and parent education teacher. No stranger to conflict, Mr. Heller is a child of divorce, has been divorced and successfully remarried. He is a “Conflict Coach” who works with people engaged in high levels of conflict so that they can create cooperation out of conflict. He works with individuals and couples, focusing on how they can have a relationship that works with minimum friction and maximum support for their children. Mr. Heller also helps organizations and businesses transform destructive conflict into a vehicle for change and innovation. He graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his master’s degree in social work from Hunter College. He then trained to become a mediator with the Center for Understanding in Conflict and trained to be a parent coordinator through the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts. Mr. Heller is a Certified Professional Coach, and an ELI Master Practitioner. Andrea Hirshman https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_4b71566f86204402ab8b2fc74141b372~mv2.jpg Andrea Hirshman, Esq. is a New York divorce mediator and collaborative law attorney. After experiencing the negativity of litigation, Andrea found divorce mediation and collaborative divorce – forums for settling divorce terms in a dignified manner. People want to be listened to and understood and treated as if they matter. When working with Andrea, clients feel heard, understood and connected all of which empowers them to stay focused on what is important to them and to make good decisions. Andrea’s practice includes all matters having to do with marriage, divorce, separation and interpersonal relationships. Andrea is immersed in the community of mediators and collaborative attorneys - you can learn more about her at https://www.andreahirshman.com/ (https://www.andreahirshman.com/) Emily Jonas https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_8daae8b9852b402f963e5643d0ddc43c~mv2.jpg Emily Jonas is a mediator, parent educator and the Director of Client Services and Outreach for FamilyKind. She is a divorce mediator and family law attorney with over 20 years of experience working with children, families and divorcing couples. Before becoming a divorce mediator, she was the pilot director of the first high school mediation program in New York City, which serves as a national model. Ms. Jonas also collaborated in establishing the first custody and visitation mediation program in New York County Family Court. She directed the guardian-ad-litem program at the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, representing children in custody, visitation and relocation cases in New York County Supreme Court and Family Court. Ms. Jonas advocated for special needs children in educational matters at Westchester Putnam Legal Services (now Legal Services of the Hudson Valley). She also launched their first pro bono program, successfully recruiting volunteer attorneys to represent people who could not otherwise afford them. Ms. Jonas is a member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation and the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, previously serving as a Board Member for nine years. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania magna cum laude and received her law degree from Northeastern University. She is fluent in Spanish. Carolyn Kalos https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_9db5675743114a328d0ed3a7c1331114~mv2.jpg Carolyn Kalos has been a family lawyer in New York City for over 25 years, allowing her to see the toll that divorce, custody disputes, and conflict can take on families. She has experience in all areas of family law, and an ability to understand and account for the needs of different parties in complex family dynamics. Prior to joining Diamond, Fee & Kalos, PLLC, Carolyn founded Family Friendly Mediation, where she served as the principal attorney, mediator, parenting coordinator, and divorce coach. Before entering private practice, Carolyn spent 19 years at the Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice, first as a trial lawyer and then as an Assistant Attorney in Charge. While at Legal Aid, Carolyn represented children in child abuse and neglect cases, custody cases, and juvenile delinquency cases. Carolyn was an Adjunct Professor, a trial skills instructor, and a clinical instructor all in the areas of child welfare and juvenile justice. Carolyn was also the Consulting Interim Legal Manager of the Family Law Unit at My Sister’s Place, where she provided representation and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. She also worked as Associate Director and Training Coordinator at the Center for Mediation & Training. Carolyn volunteers as a mediator at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). She is a consultant mediator and parenting coordinator with FamilyKind. Carolyn is on the roster of Mediators approved for appointment by the Westchester County Matrimonial & Family Courts. Professional memberships include the National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP), the Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts (AFCC), the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM), The Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM), the New York State Bar Association, Family Law Sections, and the New York Women’s Bar Association. Carolyn graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and earned her Juris Doctor from Emory Law School. Randi Karmel https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_f3254f8add214508a7b39b886d1cce2a~mv2.jpg Randi L. Karmel is a matrimonial and family law litigator and mediator. She is also a parent coordinator, is certified to represent children in the First Department; and is certified to represent clients in Domestic Violence matters in the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. Representing children has given Ms. Karmel special insight as a parent coordinator and mediator. Ms. Karmel has over 25 years of experience in and out of Court. Prior to opening up her firm, she was Deputy Inspector General at the Department of Investigation (and prior, Examining Attorney, She served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County, District Attorney’s Office where she advanced through the Investigations, Felony Trial, Domestic Violence and Major Narcotics Bureau to name a few. She graduated from the Washington College of Law, American University and was offered a prestigious fellowship to work on Capital Hill in Washington, DC prior to entering law school. Her main areas of practice are entirely Matrimonial and Family Law. Ms. Karmel is a member of the New York State Bar Association (Member, Executive Committee, Family Law Section), Brooklyn Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section and Chair of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee (2022, 2023, 2024), Part 137 Fee Dispute Arbitrator; She was also a former Trustee of the Brooklyn Bar Association; formally volunteered her time with Judges and Lawyer’s Breast Cancer Alert (past Member, Executive Committee). Ms. Karmel has lectured for the Brooklyn Bar Association on Representing Children with Special Needs and Mediation for Lawyers. She also lectured with experts on Substance Abuse in custody matters. Ms. Karmel believes in volunteering her time and resources and currently volunteers her time at the Women’s Bar Association, Pro Bono Project and at Savvy Ladies (Executive Board (past) and current member of Board of Directors and Gala Committee; Nominations Committee); She has recently been a guest on “Black Dad’s Unfiltered” and “How Not to Suck at Divorce” podcasts and has also been a guest on Journey Beyond Divorce and has worked with several financial divorce planners and divorce coaches. Her work has been published in the following decisions and article: New York Law Journal Jin C., v. Juliana L., New York Law Journal: Mother is Barred From Citing Destroyed Diary in Custody Case; New York Law Journal Reported Case: LR v. AZ; article published in the Brooklyn Barrister, “Keeping Privileged Medical Records Confidential. In addition to the above, Ms. Karmel has been quoted in various publications and television appearances and has been elected to Super Lawyers for over 10 years. Teresa Ombres https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_cee348bceec8401cbadda3855e9bc17a~mv2.jpg Teresa Ombres is a divorce mediator, attorney and collaborative attorney, with a private practice in Great Neck, New York. After some disillusionment with matrimonial practice early in her career, she quit the law for eleven years. When the Peer Mediation Group in her daughter’s high school did a demonstration for the Parents Association she realized, in a light-bulb moment, that she was a mediator. Ms. Ombres was immediately trained in divorce and community mediation (that was in 1996) and has since devoted her career to understanding and helping people resolve conflict. Ms. Ombres spent many years on the Board of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, where she served as Co-chair of the Education Committee. She also spent several years on the Board of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals. She is a founding member of the New York Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts where she served on the Executive Board for over twenty years. In the beginning of her mediation career Ms. Ombres worked part-time at Community Mediation Services in Jamaica, Queens, first at the director of the Bayside Satellite office and later managing the first pilot program in Custody-Visitation Mediations at the Queens Family Court. She previously taught the Judicial Matrimonial ADR Externship at St. John’s School of Law, and now teaches the Family Law Practicum at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Ms. Ombres is currently enrolled in a seminar taught by Pauline Tesler, a founding member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, where practitioners from around the world are taking a deep dive into better understanding how people’s brains and emotions work in order to help separating couples resolve, not only their immediate issues, but the underlying reasons for their conflict. Ms. Ombres is a graduate of Fordham University and New York Law School. Stephanie Palau https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_b00e5b50dee84fbaa2a05143113e859f~mv2.jpg Divorce & Family Mediator, Coach and Parenting Coordinator; Psychotherapist; Social Worker Stephanie is a licensed master social worker, psychotherapist, and mediator, with 25+ years of experience. She's trained at Columbia University School of Social Work, The International Trauma Studies Program and The Center for Mediation and Training. Stephanie has lived and worked all over the world including the US, UK, Middle East, South America, and the West Indies. She is passionate about providing therapeutic support to families and their children by providing supportive mediation, parenting coordination and coaching support. Joelle Perez https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_fb7cd20f9fd341d7b134fd8c91a431b5~mv2.jpg Joelle Perez is a compassionate and experienced divorce mediation attorney who serves as a neutral third party, helping clients reach mutually agreeable settlements with dignity and respect. Her mediation style is rooted in creating a safe, supportive environment that prioritizes the emotional and financial well-being of both spouses—and their children. Having personally navigated divorce mediation, Joelle brings a unique and deeply empathetic perspective to her work. She understands firsthand the emotional challenges her clients face, which allows her to approach each case with sensitivity, insight, and a genuine commitment to helping families transition with care. Joelle is the founder of Peacemaker Divorce Mediation, a practice dedicated to guiding clients through the divorce process in a cooperative, amicable, and cost-effective way. Her mission is to help individuals move forward with clarity, control, and compassion. In addition to her private practice, Joelle is a leader in the field of divorce mediation. She is the Past President of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, the former Chair of the Council’s Nominating Committee, and former Co-Chair of its Education Committee. She also serves as Program Manager for the Long Island Collaborative Divorce Professionals, working to advance collaborative approaches to family law. Carmen M. Rodriguez https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_f1e7140f609242ec8d0d6f38392e2988~mv2.jpg Carmen M. Rodriguez is one of the few mediators with the unique experience of having worked in a Wall Street Law firm as well as having mediated over 500 cases in family, matrimonial, commercial and real estate law. She has her own law and alternative dispute resolution prac-tice in Manhattan. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Law School, Carmen is recognized by her peers for her great ability to analyze complex topics and explain them in plain English. To learn more about Carmen and Rodriguez Law & Mediation, PLLC, please visit: https://www.rodriguezlawandmediation.com (https://www.rodriguezlawandmediation.com) Alla Roytberg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_00835fb684d644639ced08585641cb1e~mv2.jpg Alla Roytberg Esq. is a lawyer, mediator and frequent lecturer with over 30 years of professional experience. She provides legal services in NY and NJ and mediation services nationally and internationally. Ms. Roytberg’s practice focuses on all aspects of family and matrimonial law, including representation, mediation, collaborative divorce an work on prenuptial and marital agreements. Her areas of concentration also include general mediation, residential real estate representation and ancillary general practice. Ms. Roytberg is fluent in the Russian language and frequently addresses the legal needs of the Russian Community in New York and of the Multi-Cultural and international community in Queens County, where she maintains her main office. Ms. Roytberg is a member and past President of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, member and co-chair of the Court Relations Committee at the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, an Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and New York Association of Collaborative Practitioners, of the New Jersey Mediators Association and Pennsylvania Mediators Association. She is also a member of the Family Section and Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution committee at the New York City Bar. She is currently an active mediator member of the matrimonial panels in Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York, Nassau and Westchester counties as well as various upstate court panels in New York State. Jennifer Safian https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_eae86f0404fa4c30976a8cd0dadc7738~mv2.png Jennifer Safian serves FamilyKind as a trilingual mediator as well as a Member of the Board of Directors. She is a family and divorce mediator and has been in private practice in New York City since 2003. Ms. Safian volunteered many hours mediating custody and visitation disputes at Cluster—a mediation center in Yonkers. For many years, she was also active on the Custody and Visitation Panel of the Family Courts of the five boroughs of New York City and was a divorce mediator for the Westchester County Supreme Court’s Matrimonial Mediation Program. Ms. Safian is an accredited mediator member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, and a former member of the board and membership chair of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York. She was raised in Paris, France, is fluent and can mediate in French, Spanish and English. Ms. Safian received her BA and her master’s degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Sorbonne. Lara Traum https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b328c8_1ab0618c049448a4b9831b5a9b19b96b~mv2.jpg Lara Traum is a mediator with FamilyKind as well as a collaborative attorney, mediator, parenting coordinator, and partner at Roytberg Traum Law and Mediation, PC.. She serves families as an attorney in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and as a mediator internationally, in both English and Russian. Lara believes that conflict fatigue is lethal to restructuring families and helps parties explore creative options, reduce costs, and resolve their conflicts with dignity. A fully out-of-court practitioner, Lara is a Board Member of the NYS Council on Divorce Mediation and an attorney-member of Long Island Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Lara was selected to the Matrimonial Mediation Rosters for the Supreme Courts in all five boroughs of New York City. Lara has authored numerous articles and book chapters on mediation and collaborative law, as well as the 2023 ABA Book Effectively Representing Clients in Family Mediation (coauthored with Forrest S. Mosten and Hon. Elizabeth Potter Scully), and she trains and lectures throughout New York and in California. Lara received her law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, cum laude, with a Concentration in Matrimonial and Family Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University. GT4P

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