9-9:46 a.m.
Transgender Kids, High Conflict Families, & Risk of Suicide: What Family Law Practitioners Need to Know to Support Transgender Kids & Their Families
Originally presented at our 2022 Annual Family Law Conference
Speaker: Dr. Catherine B. Hasler, Counseling and Assessment for Behavioral Health, Inc., St. Louis
Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) youth face significant obstacles to having their psychological and physical needs understood and met. Their first obstacle is often within their own homes with parents lacking education and awareness of how to best meet their children’s needs. It is not uncommon for parents to differ in their responses to learning that their child is TGE. These differences can become a focus of child custody disputes that require family court professionals (FCPs) to be educated and understand best practices for these children to make custody decisions that are in the best interest of the children and not based on bias or misinformation. Information on best practices and how FCPs can best support these children will be provided. Resources available in Missouri for these families will also be discussed.
9:46-10:35 a.m.
Understanding Developmental Stages of Children as a GAL
Originally presented at our 2022 Annual Family Law Conference
Speakers: Kimberly J. Lowry, Attorney at Law, Springfield; and Jenifer D. Sturdivan, LPC, MA, Reclaimed Hearts, Ozark
During this session, the presenters will provide an overview of various developmental stages of children from infants to teens. The speakers will discuss what GAL’s should consider in developing parenting plans from both an attorney and mental health providers perspective in light of these developmental stages.
10:35-10:45 a.m. | Break
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Children and the Department of Connections
Originally presented at our 2022 MOSOLO Small Firm Conference
Speakers: Meagan Zimmer-Breeze, Kramer, Hand, Buchholz & Partney, Hillsboro; David R. Crosby, Crosby Law Office, Hillsboro; and William C. Dodson, William C. Dodson Law Office, Imperial
A look at the relationships between child trauma and the importance of connections. An examination of the effects on the brain and the health of children who experience trauma. The necessity of protecting and creating connections with the child’s support system, and a discussion of some methods to promote resilience for the child.
11:30-11:43 a.m.
Child Support / Child Custody Case Law Update
Originally presented at our 2022 Annual Family Law Conference
Speaker: Comm. Susan Jensen, Greene County Circuit Court, Springfield
Moderator:
DEC 7 | M. Todd Miller, Law Office of Todd Miller, LLC, Jefferson City
| Transgender Kids, High Conflict Families (345.6 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Understanding Developmental Stages of Children as a GAL (89.3 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Update on Missouri Family Law - Child Support & Child Custody Case Law Update (445.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MOLAP Information (210.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Important Information for Attorneys Seeking Kansas Credit (102.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
William Dodson is a sole practitioner in Jefferson County. He serves as a Guardian ad Litem and represents parents and other parties in Juvenile and Family Court proceedings there. Mr. Dodson spends a large portion of his time mediating child custody and other disputes.
Dr. Hasler is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of CABH, Inc., a private practice, in St. Louis that specializes in assessment and intervention services for youth and families. She works with children and teens with LGBTQIA+ identities and helps their families best understand how to support their children.
The Honorable Susan S. Jensen practiced family law in Springfield before being appointed as Family Court Commissioner, Division II, for Greene County in 2016. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Commissioner Jensen graduated from William Jewell College and the University of Iowa College Of Law.
Jenifer Sturdivan is a licensed professional counselor in Southwest Missouri and has served in this capacity for the past 18 years. She is the lead therapist at Reclaimed Hearts Therapeutic Services in Ozark, MO
Meagan Zimmer Breeze is a partner at Kramer, Hand, Buchholz & Partney in Jefferson County. Meagan was a GAL in juvenile court and currently serves as GAL, mediator and parent coordinator in family court, as well as practicing family law, personal injury, worker's compensation and social security law.
