AFCC Ohio Innovations Conference 2025

Conference Materials:

5.25 CLE and 5.5 CEUs Approved

Join us at the AFCC Ohio Innovations Conference 2025, where court professionals, attorneys, mediators, coaches, and mental health professionals come together to share expertise, foster collaboration, and improve systems for separating, divorcing, and post-decree families. This year’s conference is packed with cutting-edge presentations and interactive workshops designed to enhance skills, address pressing challenges, and inspire innovation.

Conference Highlights

• Ethical Use of AI Technology in Family Law Assessments and Processes. Explore the promise and pitfalls of AI in family law, with a focus on cultural competence, power dynamics, and individual considerations. Learn how to use AI responsibly to enhance assessments, streamline processes, and ensure ethical practices in family law.

• Navigating the Use and Misuse of Substance Assessments. Gain tangible strategies for integrating substance use assessments into family law cases. This workshop highlights how to protect safety while fostering healthy parent-child attachments through innovative parenting plans.

• Creative Parenting Plans: Balancing Safety and Attachment. Learn to design parenting plans that address substance use concerns while maintaining critical parent-child bonds. This session emphasizes integrating safety and attachment needs to create practical, child-centered solutions.

• Ethics in High-Conflict Family Law Cases. This essential session speaks to both attorneys and mental health professionals in the role of parenting coordinator. Professionals will learn tools to balance legal obligations and ethical standards in high-conflict cases, and leave with actionable insights to maintain integrity while navigating complex legal considerations.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for professionals committed to improving family law practices, including:

• Judges and court professionals

• Attorneys and legal advocates

• Mediators and parent coordinators

• Coaches and family consultants

• Mental health and substance use professionals

Why Attend?

• Stay at the forefront of innovation in family law and conflict resolution.

• Gain practical tools and strategies for addressing complex family dynamics.

• Network with leading professionals dedicated to reducing family conflict and promoting healthier outcomes for children and families.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead the way in family law innovation!

Conference Agenda:

8:45-9:00 am Welcome

Larry McQuain, President

9:00-10:30 am Responsible Use of AI for Dispute Resolution

Professor Amy Schmitz, The Ohio State University; Amy Armstrong, LISW-S

10:30-10:45 am Break

10:45-11:00 am AFCC Membership Discussion

11:00-12:00 pm Best Practices for Substance Use Assessments

Brian Davis, LISW-S

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch and AFCC Ohio Annual Meeting

1:00-2:45 pm Creative Parenting Plans Supporting Attachment and Safety for Parents with Substance Misuse

Judge Melissa Peper-Firestone; Brian Davis, LISW-S; Attorney Kerry McCormick; Amy Armstrong, LISW-S

2:45-3:00 pm Break

3:00-4:00 pm Ethical Considerations for Mental Health Professionals and Attorneys when Rules of Superintendence, Local Rules, and Court

Orders Conflict in Parent Coordination Cases

Attorney Alyson Miller; Judge Randall Fuller; Attorney Chris Heckert; Jamie Niesen, LPCC-S

Link for Hotel Block at the Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris