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AFCC-MN Members, As the situation in Minnesota continues to change in uncertain and unexpected ways, many of us are feeling its weight acutely. We have also witnessed the impact of compassion, unity, and care shown by our communities in the face of fear, confusion, and concern. The strength we find in one another is both comforting and inspiring. As an organization focused on the well-being of children and families, AFCC-MN and its membership are profoundly aware of the physical, emotional, and financial toll that recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities are having on our communities. Supporting family well-being and upholding human dignity has always been the mission of our organization. During this time of uncertainty, we stand with families most affected, particularly those whose safety and stability are at risk. AFCC-MN also denounces all violent acts inflicted on our fellow Minnesotans, as these actions further traumatize the families and communities our membership supports throughout the state. AFCC-MN recognizes the critical work being done by nonprofit organizations, advocates, attorneys, mental health providers, and community leaders to support healing and protect vulnerable families. The challenges are significant, but our organization’s experience shows that when family professionals collaborate with respect and a shared commitment, we can make a meaningful, positive impact. Our chapter is committed to supporting our members and partners in their efforts. We know that those working directly with families are closest to the immediate challenges and long-term impact of these actions. As many of us know, community violence is deeply connected to adverse childhood experiences, as repeated exposure to unsafe environments can shape a child’s sense of security, impact emotional development, and increase the risk of long-term mental and physical health challenges. While members of AFCC-MN fulfill varied roles all of our work is ultimately rooted in listening, connecting and providing the tools and support needed to help people respond to adversity and crisis thoughtfully and effectively. AFCC-MN also recognizes the toll such work takes on practitioners themselves, as exposure to trauma, whether direct or secondarily through those we support, can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress. In these moments, mutual support within our family law community is essential to maintaining our ability to provide compassionate care. We encourage family professionals to lead with care and responsibility by: Listening to and centering the voices of affected families and communities Supporting both immediate relief and long-term family stability Upholding dignity, safety, and trust in all interactions Practicing ongoing collaboration Practicing self-care AFCC-MN remains dedicated to strengthening the interdisciplinary community of family professionals, ensuring that together we can continue to provide resolution, resilience, and healing for children and families throughout Minnesota. We are also committed to addressing the issues children and family are facing in our community through education, resources, and outreach. We have attached a working list of resources and will be reinstating our Community Chats for members to gather and discuss. We will also be working with our Education and Values committees to offer special educational Lunch & Learns that are timely and topic specific. Resources and Education AFCC-MN Community Chats Friday February 6th, 10am – Carol Hornbeck, LMFT and Racheal Howitz, President leading an open forum. With more dates to follow, watch your email and our website. Here is a resource list of organizations - a resource list of organizations providing services or mutual aid to affected families, if you wish to volunteer your time or provide financial support. Additional list of resources included here Click for Resources AFCC-MN Board of Directors AFCC-MN Values Committee

AFCC-MN Community, In accordance with the by-laws and traditions of AFCC-MN, below you will find the candidates for the open Board of Director positions, as well as the position of President-Elect. I am happy to report that these names, which were put forth by current President-Elect Carlo Faccini and the Nominating Committee, were presented to the current Board of Directors at the May meeting and were unanimously approved by the Board. These names will now be put forth for a general membership vote at the Chapter Annual Conference on July 25th: New Directors: Carrie Crockford, MA LMFT The Honorable Jason T. Hutchison Courtney Latcham, Esq. Bethany Hurd, Esq. Amy Krupinski, Esq. (to a two-year term) President-Elect: Racheal Howitz A special thanks to Deb Link, Peggy Cottrell, and Jim Street who are at the end of their two terms. We appreciate their commitment to serving on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and Annual Conference Planning Committee hope to see many of you in person at the Annual Conference in July. We anticipate an exciting and educational day to learn and connect. If you have not registered yet, here is the link again https://www.afccmn.org/2024-annual-conference. Also, while I do hope to see many of you in person, we do have a remote option as well. AFCC-MN Chapter President Zak Chesson

AFCC-MN Members, It is with both sadness and excitement that I share the following message with you all. Our President-Elect, Racheal Howitz, is stepping down from her position. Racheal is expecting a child in late May and understandably wants to focus her attention on her family. While we were looking forward to Racheal’s term as President, we are not losing her completely. Racheal will continue to be an active member of AFCC-MN and continue to serve on committees. We wish Racheal and her family the best. This news obviously necessitates some changes at the Board level. On April 17th, the Executive Committee met to discuss next steps, pursuant to our Chapter bylaws. The Executive Committee recommended to the full Board of Directors that our current Secretary, Carlo Faccini, fulfill the remainder of Racheal’s term and then assume the Presidency at the AFCC-MN Annual Conference in July. The BOD approved Carlo’s nomination unanimously. Of course, Carlo’s move to President-Elect necessitated that the Secretary position be filled. The Executive Committee recommended to the BOD that current Board Member, Kate Stevens, be elevated to fulfill the rest of Carlo’s term as Secretary. The BOD approved Kate’s nomination unanimously. While that leaves an open BOD position to be filled, the BOD determined that the position will remain vacant until the next slate of nominations is presented to membership at the Annual Conference in July. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for addressing these matters in a thoughtful and efficient manner. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Regards, Zak Chesson President, AFCC-MN

ADR Training Courses TRAINING COURSES AFCC MN will provide a series of trainings to expand professionals’ skills regarding various family processes and to help professionals qualify for various certifications and rosters recognized by Minnesota courts. In the future the trainings will include Custody Evaluation, Mediation, Parenting Consulting, Parenting Time Expediting, Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (FENE), Social Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE), Moderated Settlement Conferences (MSC), Arbitration and Special Master services. We know that many of you are anxious to obtain some of these trainings but be patient with us! It is our goal to provide trainings that are carefully designed to teach adult learners with highly qualified trainers. That will take some time to identify and train the trainers which we are doing at this time. Please be patient with us while we are “under construction”. If you are interested in being a trainer click here for more info. Trauma in Children of Divorce: Research to Practice Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event This lunch-and-learn is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their ability to critically assess child-related information in court-involved cases. Buy Tickets AFCC-MN Annual Conference 2026 - Back to School: Education Related Issues for Court Involved Families Jul 31, 2026, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wilder Center Auditorium, 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA Buy Tickets AI in ADR and Family Practice: Practical Applications, Ethical Boundaries, and Emerging Opportunities Aug 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event This program explores the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its growing impact on ADR and family law professionals. Buy Tickets Family Mediation Training Sep 17-19 & Oct 1-3 Sep 17, 2026, 8:00 AM – Oct 03, 2026, 5:00 PM Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, USA Buy Tickets AFCC-MN Fall 1/2 Day Oct 09, 2026, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM The Quadrant, 7100 Northland Cir N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428, USA Details Parenting Consultant (PC) Training 2026 Oct 12, 2026, 9:00 AM – Oct 15, 2026, 5:00 PM Location is TBD Hybrid Event - Attend Live or Virtually Buy Tickets Basic ENE Training (SENE & FENE) 2026 Dec 03, 2026, 8:00 AM – Dec 07, 2026, 4:30 PM Tuft, Lach, Jerabeck, & O’Connell Law, 505 US-169, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA Hybrid Event - Live or Virtual SENE - December 3rd & 4th from 8 am - 5 pm FENE - December 7th from 8 am -5 pm Check your registration carefully, SENE and FENE are separate trainings, priced differently. Buy Tickets Community Chat: Staying Informed: Immigration Enforcement and Its Impact on MN Family Law Apr 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Virtual Discussion FREE, Zoom info will be emailed. Please join us for a follow up from our December Lunch & Learn with the MN Hispanic Bar Association. Details Day at the Capitol 4/14/26 Apr 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM L'Etoile du Nord Vault, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155, USA Details Personality Disorders: Lunch & Learn Series Part 4/4 Apr 10, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event Providing ADR Services When Personality Disorders Are a Factor Details Personality Disorders: Lunch & Learn Series Part 3/4 Mar 06, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event How Personality Disorders Can Contribute to High-Conflict Dynamics Details Family Law Special Master Training Feb 27, 2026, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, 505 US-169 suite 275, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA Details Family Mediation Training Feb 12-14 & 19-21 Feb 12, 2026, 8:00 AM – Feb 21, 2026, 5:00 PM Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, USA Details Personality Disorders: Lunch & Learn Series Part 2/4 Feb 06, 2026, 12:00 PM – Feb 11, 2026, 2:14 PM Virtual Event Legal Representation and Personality Disorder Traits Details Community Chat Feb 06, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Virtual Discussion It is free, but we will need to vet anyone that registers: Zoom link will be emailed upon approval. Details Personality Disorders: Lunch & Learn Series Part 1/4 Jan 09, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event Foundational Information on Personality Disorders Details What Matters: Child-Centered Deportation Preparedness - December Lunch and Learn Dec 19, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Virtual Event Details Basic ENE Training (SENE & FENE) Dec 04, 2025, 8:00 AM – Dec 08, 2025, 4:30 PM Tuft, Lach, Jerabeck, & O’Connell Law, 505 US-169, Plymouth, MN 55441, USA Hybrid Event - Live or Virtual SENE - December 4th & 5th from 8 am - 5 pm FENE - December 8th from 8 am -5 pm Check your registration carefully, SENE and FENE are separate trainings, priced differently. Details Load More

AFCC MN POLICIES Cancellation Policy for AFCC MN Training events. If registered participant cancels any time after registration but before one month of the beginning of training date, registration funds will be refunded less a $100 Administrative Fee. If a participant cancels within one month of the training date, there will be no refund. However, that training registration can be applied to a future training offered within one calendar year. If the participant does not register for a training within the calendar year, the registration fee is forfeited to AFCC-MN. If training is cancelled by AFCC-MN, all registration fees are returned. The Training Committee Chair will inform the Treasurer of the cancellation, and the Treasurer will initiate the appropriate refunds. Cancellation Policy for AFCC MN Education events. If registered participant cancels any time after registration but before two weeks of the beginning of an education date, registration funds will be refunded less a 20% Administrative Fee. If a participant cancels within two weeks of the education date, there will be no refund. However, that education registration can be applied to a future education offered within one calendar year. If the participant does not register for an education within the calendar year, the registration fee is forfeited to AFCC-MN. If education is cancelled by AFCC-MN, all registration fees are returned. The education Committee Chair will inform the Treasurer of the cancellation, and the Treasurer will initiate the appropriate refunds. Privacy Policy The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC-MN) is committed to maintaining trust by valuing and recognizing the privacy and sensitivity of the personal information of AFCC-MN members or other persons transacting business with the association. This privacy policy sets out how AFCC-MN uses and protects any of the aforementioned information that is provided to AFCC-MN. Types of information we collect: Personal Data: AFCC-MN collects the following types of data that enables AFCC-MN to identify or contact you and to carry out business purposes. This may include applying for membership, purchasing materials or registering for a conference, webinar, training program or otherwise interacting with AFCC-MN. The types of personal data include but are not limited to the following: General data (e.g., name, home or business addresses, email, Internet protocol addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers) that are provided by our members and customers; Professional data (e.g., professional degree); Government-issued identification numbers (e.g., social security numbers, national identification numbers and tax identification numbers) when AFCC-MN is making a payment to members such as honoraria or expense reimbursements. This information is also collected for AFCC-MN independent contractors and employees; Other identification information (e.g., photographs); Financial information (e.g., credit and debit card numbers, credit reports, passwords and PIN numbers) for conference registration, product sales or employment purposes; Sensitive Personal Data (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation and disability data) for diversity or accessibility purposes. AFCC-MN also receives Personal Data from third parties for use in marketing to potential new members, or conference registrants, such as lists of members from other organizations. Non-Personal Data: AFCC-MN also collects information (whether online, by phone, or by paper) that does not directly identify you as you interact with AFCC-MN. We use this data to improve the usability of our website and membership management software. The types of Non-Personal Data we collect includes, but is not limited to: Site usage (e.g., browsing history, search terms, number of clicks, referring/exit pages, date/time stamp, time on Site); Products and services viewed, including advertisements for such products and services; Computer type, operating system and platform type; Internet service provider What we do with the information we gather: AFCC-MN requires your information for the following reasons: To publish the AFCC-MN online directory, which is password protected and accessible only to AFCC-MN members; To publish electronic conference registration lists (excluding email addresses), which are distributed to conference registrants; To process orders, registrations and membership applications. To respond to member requests; For internal record keeping, such as accounts payable or credits; To improve our products and services; To send inquiries to members, e.g., research or member surveys; Deliver and process member surveys; To identify you when you visit our website; Personalize and improve the usability of our website; Tailor content, advertising and marketing to you; To deliver tailored communication to you about AFCC-MN activities, programs or products or other information that we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided. From time to time, these communications may include information about other organizations’ activities. From time to time AFCC-MN may share your street mailing address only with related organizations so that AFCC-MN members may receive conference brochures from these organizations. Related organizations include, but are not limited to, the Association for Conflict Resolution, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and the National Association of Counsel for Children. AFCC-MN may also share data with third parties to fulfill service requests and to perform business functions (e.g., AFCC-MN contracts with a publishing company to mail the Family Court Review to members, and with a mail house to send conference program brochures). AFCC-MN may also share data with third parties as required by law or in unanticipated situations but only with your consent. What we will not do with the information we gather: AFCC-MN will not release information to the public about an AFCC-MN member or other person transacting business with the association except as required by law. AFCC-MN will not rent, sell or share your information with the exception of sharing street addresses with related organizations, for purposes of mailing conference brochures, as noted above. AFCC-MN will not send email messages to members or others for the sole purpose of promoting commercial ventures of other organizations including, but not limited to, conferences, training programs and publications. Security AFCC-MN is committed to ensuring that information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Certain areas of the AFCC-MN website require the use of a user ID and password as an additional security measure to help protect your personal data. To help you protect your privacy, you may log in and log out of the website. AFCC-MN implements commercially reasonable security measures to help protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure, or destruction of data. Except for membership directories, membership lists and registration lists, and the sharing of information as set forth in this privacy policy, we restrict access to personal data to certain companies who need the data to operate, develop, or improve our services. These individuals or partner organizations are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is fully secure. Accordingly, and despite our reasonable efforts to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, AFCC-MN cannot guarantee or warrant the security of the personal data you transmit to us, or to or from our online sites. If you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact AFCC-MN at AFCC-MN@AFCC-MNnet.org. California Privacy Rights In addition to the rights as explained in this privacy policy, under California’s "Shine the Light" law, California residents who provide personal information (as defined in the statute) to obtain products or services for personal, family, or household use are entitled to request and obtain from us, once a calendar year, information about the personal information we shared, if any, with other businesses for marketing uses. If applicable, this information would include the categories of personal information and the names and addresses of those businesses with which we shared such personal information for the immediately prior calendar year (e.g., requests made in the current year will receive information about the prior year). To obtain this information please write to us at: AFCC-MN, 6525 Grand Teton Plaza, Madison WI 53719. Attn: California Privacy Law. Please include your full name and address. Canada Anti-Spam Law AFCC-MN complies with the Canada Anti-Spam Law. Non-AFCC-MN members or associates who provide us a Canadian mailing address will not receive unauthorized Commercial Electronic Messages (as defined under the Canada Anti-Spam Law) unless these individuals have “opted-in” to receive Commercial Electronic Messages. Children AFCC-MN does not knowingly collect Personal Data from or market to children under the age of 13. Your Right to Access Data AFCC-MN will, upon request, provide confirmation regarding whether or not your personal data is being processed and for what purpose. AFCC-MN will also provide a copy of your personal data, free of charge, in electronic format, upon request. How You Can Access, Change and Delete Your Personal Data We rely on you to update and correct your personal data. Typically, we retain your personal data for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. This may include retaining your personal data indefinitely, even after you are no longer an AFCC-MN member, in order to provide you with future marketing opportunities and other purposes, as well as to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce any of our agreements. Please note that you can request, at any time, that we delete and cease dissemination of your personal data. When we delete your personal data, it will be removed from our active databases or anonymized so that the data is no longer identified with you. Use of Cookies A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on a computer's hard drive. It does not give access to a hard drive. If accepted, the file is added and the cookie helps analyze web traffic or lets an individual know when a particular website is visited. Cookies allow web applications to respond to individuals. The web application can tailor its operations to individual needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information with regard to preferences. AFCC-MN uses traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used to assist in analyzing data about webpage traffic to improve AFCC-MN’s website content in order meet the needs of members and other users. This information is only used for the purposes of statistical analysis. Once the analysis is complete the data is removed from the system. An individual can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies. An individual may be able to modify a browser setting to decline cookies. However, this may prevent access to all of the information provided on the website. Links to Other Websites The AFCC-MN website contains links to enable individuals to visit other websites of interest. AFCC-MN does not have control over these websites. Therefore, AFCC-MN is not responsible for the protection and privacy of any information provided by an individual while visiting such sites. Websites linked to the AFCC-MN website are not governed by this privacy statement. Individuals should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. Additional Protection of Information In addition to the protections outlined in this policy, members may choose to restrict the collection or use of information. To do so please go to the AFCC-MN website and log in to your member profile. AFCC-MN members may opt out of the AFCC-MN online directory entirely. AFCC-MN members may choose to exclude their telephone number and/or email address from the AFCC-MN online directory. AFCC-MN members may opt out of having their name and street address provided to related organizations for the purpose of receiving conference brochures.