Kids Need Both, Inc

n's lives. Our services include education, support, and resources for families to help them navigate through the challenges of separation and co-parenting. Our organization is dedicated to creating a world where all children have the opportunity to thrive in a loving, stable, and supportive family environment. MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of Kids Need Both, Inc. is to provide education and support to families experiencing child custody conflict. VISION STATEMENT:
At Kids Need Both, Inc, our vision is to create a world where every child has access to a stable and loving home environment, regardless of their parents' relationship status. We believe that children thrive when they have meaningful relationships with both parents, and that a healthy co-parenting dynamic is critical to their well-being. Our goal is to provide resources, education, and support to families navigating the complexities of child custody conflict, to help them achieve the best possible outcomes for their children. By fostering a culture of collaboration, empathy, and respect, we aim to promote the importance of shared parenting and provide a platform for families to connect and share their experiences. Our vision is a world where children can grow and thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment, no matter the circumstances of their parents' relationship. CORE VALUES:
Kids Need Both, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families navigate the challenges of co-parenting after separation or divorce. I believe that we could emphatically assert here that the welfare and best possible outcome for the children is the only objective for Kids Need Both, Inc. The organization's core values are as follows:
Empathy: Kids Need Both, Inc. values empathy and seeks to understand and support the unique needs and challenges of each family. Collaboration: The organization believes in the power of collaboration and strives to bring together parents, professionals, and community resources to support families in need. Respect: Kids Need Both, Inc. respects the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all families and individuals they serve. Accountability: The organization is committed to being accountable to the families they serve and to the community as a whole. Excellence: Kids Need Both, Inc. strives for excellence in all aspects of their work, including service delivery, research, and community engagement. These core values guide the organization's strategic plan and inform their approach to providing education, resources, and support to families navigating co-parenting after separation or divorce. PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Child custody conflict is a complex and emotionally charged issue that affects families across the world. When parents separate or divorce, they may struggle to agree on the best way to share custody of their children, which can lead to conflicts, stress, and negative outcomes for the child. Issues such as lack of communication, disagreements over parenting styles, relocation, visitation schedules, child support, and legal issues can create significant barriers to achieving a fair and effective custody arrangement. Children's emotional well-being, academic performance, and social relationships are negatively impacted. Parents need a constructive and collaborative manner to ensure that children can maintain a stable and supportive environment during this challenging time. In the most extreme cases, children are influenced by one parent to reject and devalue the importance of a strong relationship with the other parent. This can lead to long term emotional harm to the child if this situation is not effectively addressed. The following are statistics related to the importance of children having positive relationships with both of their parents:

Children who have regular contact with both parents after a separation or divorce have better outcomes in terms of their emotional, behavioral, and academic well-being. (Source: Journal of Family Psychology, https://psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES/journal/fam/37/2)

In cases where the father is the non-custodial parent, he is more likely to maintain a close relationship with his children when he has more time with them. (Source: Journal of Marriage and Family)

Shared parenting has been found to be beneficial for both mothers and fathers, as it reduces conflict and improves co-parenting relationships. (Source: Journal of Divorce and Remarriage)

Additionally, research has also shown that children who have positive relationships with both parents, even if they are divorced or separated, are more likely to thrive. Children who have access to both parents are more likely to have better relationships with their parents, have better mental health outcomes, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. About 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 live in a household with only one parent. While many of these families function well, research shows that children from single-parent households are more likely to experience poverty and a range of negative outcomes, including lower academic achievement, increased risk of drug and alcohol use, and higher rates of incarceration and have higher rates of behavioral and emotional problems. Over 80% of children in the United States who are raised by a single parent are living with their mother. Census Bureau, National Fatherhood Initiative)

Children with involved fathers are more likely to do well in school, have higher self-esteem, and have better social skills. Department of Health and Human Services)

Similarly, a study by the National Center for Fathering found that children who have a positive relationship with their father are more likely to succeed academically, have better mental health, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. These statistics support the idea that children need positive relationships with both parents in order to thrive, and shared parenting is a way to improve outcomes for children and families after a separation or divorce. PROGRAM/SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Kids Need Both, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for families going through the difficult process of separation and divorce. Our mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to maintain healthy relationships with both parents, even when they live in separate households. Our program offers a variety of services designed to help families navigate the challenges of co-parenting and to promote positive communication and cooperation between parents. These categories include:

Education

Classes for Parents: We offer classes that teach parents effective communication strategies, conflict resolution skills, and other tools to help them navigate the challenges of co-parenting. Educational resources: We provide educational resources such as books, videos, and articles, on a variety of topics related to divorce and co-parenting. Support

Mentorship and coaching: We have a coaching body whose fundamental purpose is to provide for the education and support of the clients we coach. We offer our expertise to provide guidance and support to help achieve best possible outcomes for the whole family with the children being the principal focus. Support groups: We offer support groups for parents, providing a safe space for them to connect with others going through similar experiences and to receive emotional support and guidance. Pro-se litigant programs: We assist individuals who are representing themselves in court without the aid of an attorney to help them understand what they need to know. Mediation services: Our trained mediators help parents work through disagreements and develop solutions that are in the best interests of their children. Advocacy

Advocacy: We advocate for policies and laws that promote shared parenting and that protect the rights of children to have access to both parents. Strategic Partnership

Strategic Alliance of Partners: We have created formal relationships between organizations; locally, nationally and internationally, that agree to work together to achieve mutual goals of bringing healing to hurting families caught in child custody conflict. At Kids Need Both, Inc., we are committed to promoting healthy, positive outcomes for children of divorce and separation. Our services are designed to help parents and children build strong, positive relationships with one another, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Partnership development is a critical aspect of supporting Kids Need Both, Inc. and its mission, which is to provide children with the opportunity to have positive relationships with both parents following a divorce or separation. Through strategic partnerships, Kids Need Both, Inc can expand its reach, increase its impact, and provide more resources and support to families in need. One way that partnership development can support Kids Need Both, Inc. is by collaborating with organizations that share similar values and missions. For example, partnering with local family law firms or mediation services can ensure parents are aware of their legal rights and have access to resources to navigate the divorce process in a way that is in the best interest of their children. Another way that partnership development can support Kids Need Both, Inc is by working with community organizations that serve families and children. These organizations may include schools, after-school programs, youth organizations, and community centers. By partnering with these organizations, Kids Need Both, Inc can provide educational resources, counseling services, and other forms of support to families in need. Partnerships with businesses can also support Kids Need Both, Inc and its mission. For example, partnering with companies that specialize in family-oriented products or services can help raise awareness about Kids Need Both, Inc and its mission. Additionally, businesses may be able to provide financial support or donate resources that can be used to fund programs and services that benefit families. IN SUMMARY
Partnership development is an essential aspect of supporting Kids Need Both, Inc and its mission. By collaborating with organizations that share similar values, working with community organizations that serve families and children, and partnering with businesses, Kids Need Both, Inc can expand its reach, increase its impact, and provide more resources and support to families in need. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY/BACKGROUND
Our founder, Danica Joan Dockery was inspired by her real-world experience in an isolating and controlling marriage. She left that marriage in hopes of establishing stability for her children and sought a peaceful co-parenting relationship with her husband, but that did not happen. Deep in the trenches of a relentless custody battle lasting over five years, Danica endured arrest, relentless child abuse allegations, rejection from her children and being ostracized by her community. However, Danica never lost sight of what was at stake, which was the hope of a restored relationship with her children. During the darkest times, she juggled multiple jobs, while attending college to become an educator. All while fending off court hearings, managing her alienated children and defending a barrage of abuse investigations. She noticed that children were often caught in the middle of these difficult situations and decided to take action. So she founded the non-profit organization, Kids Need Both, Inc in 2004 with a mission of providing education and support to families impacted by child custody conflict. Over the years, Kids Need Both, Inc. has grown and expanded its reach. They have formed partnerships with other organizations and have collaborated with schools and community centers to provide their services to families in need. They also offer training and workshops for professionals who work with these families. In the midst of the 2020 global pandemic, Danica worked with a technical team to co-create Hope4Families.net, an authoritative online community platform consisting of solution-based experts providing education and support to families experiencing child custody conflict. Since its founding, Kids Need Both, Inc has helped thousands of families navigate the challenges of divorce and co-parenting. They have been featured in local and national media, and their work has been recognized internationally. The organization's commitment to creating a brighter future for these children is unwavering, and they continue to make a positive difference in the lives of families every day. DANICA JOAN DOCKERY, M.Ed -Biography

Danica Joan Dockery was inspired by her real-world experience in an isolating and controlling marriage. Today, Danica holds a Master’s degree in Education, is a certified family mediator, anger management/domestic violence specialist and co-parenting expert who has extensive experience helping countless families find ways to co-parent effectively and minimize the impact of divorce on their children. Danica is also the author of “A Happy Child Co-Parenting Course” a court ordered family stabilization course for parents who are navigating the challenges of co-parenting after a breakup. Her book is widely acclaimed for its practical advice and compassionate approach to helping families navigate this difficult time. She is also the co-creator of the Hope4Families.net platform, a collaborative community that provides education, support and resources to families through partnership with like minded organizations. In all of her work, Danica is committed to helping families find hope, healing, and the best possible outcomes for their children. Her dedication to this mission has made her a trusted resource and advocate for families across the country.