Breakout 1B | GAL Track | Developmental considerations for children during divorce (0-12) (qualifies for 1.0 GAL credit)

What do GALs need to understand about the young clients whose best interests they represent?
Children across the human developmental spectrum respond differently to change and loss. As divorce is one of the most impactful adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), it is imperative that family law attorneys understand how children at different ages and stages take in information, process it and respond to it.
Rebecca Growe, LCSW and Erika Ottolini, LPC will walk attorneys through presentations on the impact of divorce on young children (Part 1: 0-12 yo) and on adolescents (Part 2: 12-18 yo). This presentation will focus on how best to mitigate the risk of divorce on children's resilience, well-being and future relationships.

Learning objectives:

Attorneys will broaden their understanding of children's developmental stages as they relate to the experience of parental divorce.
Attorneys will increase their knowledge of the negative and positive impact of legal decisions on children of different ages.
GALs will expand their insight into plans/interventions designed with greater consideration of developmental needs of children.

Speakers: Erika Ottolini, Artemis Counseling Services LLC, St. Louis; Rebecca Growe, Growe Counseling LLC, St. Louis

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.