An APA-initiated program enables family law judges in Washington, D.C., to appoint licensed clinical psychologists as special masters who work with Argosy University doctoral students to smooth out disputes between caregivers. Since the program started in January 2005, parenting coordinators have handled 19 cases.
In June, APA's Practice Directorate honored several people who consulted on and helped develop the program including APA's Shirley Ann Higuchi, JD; Dr. Robert Barrett, of the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University-Washington, D.C., campus; Judge Judith Bartnoff of the District of Columbia Superior Court; and Dr. Bruce Copeland, formerly of Washington, D.C.