ODR Events
BIC "The Best Interests of the Child"
When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST
Presenters: Timothy Braden, J.D. and David Hubbard, J.D.
CMEs: Approved for 1 DIPA/UPC/Child Abuse CME hour
Program Overview: The Best Interests of the Child (BIC) is a core legal standard that guides courts in making decisions about custody, parenting time, relocation, and other matters affecting children in family law cases. Courts make decisions that prioritize the child's overall well-being, rather than the convenience or preferences of either parent. The BIC standard helps the legal system stay child-centered, not conflict-centered. The impacts of Parental Conflict, "Unresolved parental conflict (UPC)... persistent conflict in which parents are unable to resolve disputes about parenting functions which has a potentially harmful impact on a child" will be explored. BICACEs (adverse childhood experiences) will be reviewed for a deeper understanding of the different types of ACEs and how they can accumulate and how the effects can last beyond childhood and increase the risk of poor social outcomes, disease, and death. ChatGPT will then be demonstrated to create a BIC checklist and guide for Parents that mediators could use to help Parents shift their focus away from UPC to a BIC focus to create Parenting Plans that help minimize UPC and prioritize a child's overall safety, health, & well-being.
Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wWy_x-3lSW23PPddFjJwUQ#/registration
Questions? timothy.braden@dc4dc.com
Human Trafficking & Mediation
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. CST
Instructors: Ivy Bloom, Functional Family Facilitator Supervisor, Independence Rising
CMEs: Approved for 1.10 DIPA/UPC/Child Abuse-Neglect CME hour
Program Overview: This webinar will share the history of human trafficking, what exactly it is, how to report concerns of trafficking, how it might affect a mediation, and available resources related to human trafficking.
**Please note this we'll be using Microsoft Teams for this webinar. We'll open the meeting 20 minutes early for those that may want to join early to ensure they are able to join on this platform.
Questions? nicole.britten@nejudicial.gov