Unity for Children’s Best Interests
When it comes to child’s best interests, we should not take chances and hope for the best.
As part of Unity for Children's mission, we aim to rewrite laws to ensure that children are always treated with priority, especially in cases involving Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Neglecting these issues inadvertently puts our children at risk during their most vulnerable times.
Now is the moment to reevaluate our approaches, enforce already effective laws, and establish sustainable systems that prioritize the best interests of our children. It is our responsibility to create nurturing environments for children today, breaking the harmful intergenerational cycle in our society. Doing so will enable our children and society at large to flourish in the years to come.
While children age, their childhood remains with them forever.
What will be covered under the Unity for Children’s Bill?
The items below are not inclusive of everything and are still in discussion:
Potential Amendments to Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act:
Proposing additional factors to consider in determination of parenting time and responsibilities.
Proposing governance as it relates to handling evidence, such as consideration of any and all past records relevant to the alleged issues impacting the child and concerned parent.
Proposing that the court appointed individuals to make reasonable effort to appoint a resource with background in law (Guardian ad Litem) and evidence-based education and training focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) such as abuse, neglect, or parental challenges.
Proposing that an enforceable safety plan on parenting time is in place for the child and concerned parent until the child reaches the legal age.
Proposing that judges and court professionals dealing with child custody cases to complete certain hours of evidence-based training and pursue continuing training so they are informed and empowered to make decisions that put children first.
Mandates child-impact assessment of new regulations, laws, policies and programs.
Embrace an approach to statutory interpretation grounded in maximizing children’s interests, instead of originalism.
