Meeting in the Middle

Positive Parenting in Two Households
Nov 19
9:00 AM
Nov 30
9:00 AM
Dec 5
9:00 AM
Other dates and times

Court-approved co-parenting class for separated households

Raising a child in different homes can be challenging at times. FairField’s Meeting in the Middle class focuses on co-parenting through separation and divorce. It provides parents and caregivers with the opportunity to think critically about what is best for their child and how they can work together to accomplish their goals.

  • Location

    Online through Zoom meeting

  • Ticket Price

    $50 (a reduced fee is available if your income is less than $30,000 per year. If you qualify, you may choose the $30 ticket on the registration page).

  • Refunds

    Refunds minus 10% administrative fee if canceling more than 10 days prior to training date. No refunds within 10 days of training, but training fee will be honored for another class taken with 365 days.

Mode: Interactive, Synchronous Zoom Meeting

Requirements: To participate in this online class you must have a computer/cellphone with a camera and microphone and a strong, secure internet connection.

If you miss any portion of this training, the trainer may not be able to provide you with a completion certificate. 

Trainer(s): Vera Hailey / Noel Levan

Vera Hailey is an Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner based in Waynesboro, Virginia. After a 20+ year career as a magistrate, she achieved Virginia Judiciary certification in mediation and serves as a trainer, facilitator and consultant, including work for state and local government agencies. Ms. Hailey is a Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive through the National Center for State Courts, has been an ADR Competition Judge for The American Bar Association and maintains a private ADR practice. An instructor for Meeting in the Middle: Positive Parenting in Two Households Workshop, her work with at-risk youth includes therapeutic foster parenting, mentoring children in foster care, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and training as a facilitator for a Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Restorative Justice Pilot Program. Extensive experience in the disability field includes serving on the Virginia Public Safety Workgroup for Autism and as a Department of Criminal Justice Services trainer for best practices in working with people with developmental disabilities within the judicial system.
Ms. Hailey is on the Board of Directors for the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation and the Greater Augusta Coalition Against Adult Abuse and is active in the Virginia Mediation Network and Mediators Beyond Borders International. She co-parents her daughter, a student at Stuart Hall School, appreciates travel (recently in Poland), enjoys renovating properties and sharing local information and history while volunteering at the Smith Center for History and Art in Staunton.  

Noel Levan is a volunteer, Virginia Supreme Court Certified, Family Mediator.
Noel transitioned to family mediation after 44 years as an occupational therapist working with families, adults, teens, and children, and as a university professor and program director of occupational therapy.
Noel has served within the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, as a Family Mediator with the FairField Center for 18 years, mediating over 2,000 cases to successful, collaborative outcomes.

He has been instrumental in the development of FairField’s parenting seminar, Meeting in the Middle: Positive Parenting in Two Households. His focus is on ensuring clean communication among those with whom he mediates and prioritizes the well-being of children first and foremost. He is a graduate of Temple University and Texas Women’s University. A resident of Harrisonburg since 2006, he has traveled widely and appreciates all that our Shenandoah Valley offers him and his family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take this class?

Parenting children in two households can add unexpected and difficult dynamics. This class empowers co-parent to create a positive impact on their children's lives through communication, understanding, and the healthy resolution of conflict.

What do I need to attend?

You will need an internet enable device that can run audio and video using Zoom. We also ask that we “see” you online to verify your identity. Do your best to limit distractions so that you may participate freely.

What about the other parent?

We strongly recommend that both parents attend the class. When registering you will be asked if you want to attend class with the other parent.

Who should attend?

Anyone who has custody of a child, whether they are the biological parent or not is encouraged to take this class. Other involved parties, including grandparents and stepparents, will also benefit from learning how to engage in supportive ways.

What topics are discussed in this class?

We will discuss developmental stages in children, options for dealing with conflict, improving communication skills, as well as the differences between co-parenting and parallel parenting.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1982, the Community Mediation Center now doing business as the Fairfield Center, was the pioneering organization in Virginia offering professional conflict resolution and restorative justice services and training.

CONTACT INFO

590 Neff Avenue, Suite 3000 Harrisonburg, VA 22801

+1 (540) 434-0059

Monday to Friday 10:00 am — 2:00 pm

info@fairfieldcenter.org

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