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Home Administration Court Services Family Law Programs Parental Responsibility Evaluators
Parental Responsibility Evaluators

Update on HB21-1228:
The Proposed PRE CJD (CJD 21-02) was signed on November 5, 2021 by Chief Justice Boatright. 

 

**Application to the PRE Statewide Roster is now open. Please see below for details.**

 

The changes to §14-10-127 as set forth in HB 21-1228 are effective on January 1, 2022. Individuals seeking PRE appointments on or after January 1, 2022 are only eligible for appointment if they meet the requirements set forth in CJD 21-02 and are on the Statewide Roster. Acceptance of appointments after January 1, 2022 without the required training documentation and without being on the Statewide Roster is strictly prohibited.

Courts may appoint Parental Responsibility Evaluators (PREs) in cases involving parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making. Parental Responsibility Evaluators are appointed to perform an evaluation and file a written report concerning disputed issues pertaining to the allocation of parental responsibilities for a child or children. The purpose of the evaluation and report is to assist in determining the best interests of the child, with the child’s safety always paramount. Effective January 1, 2022, the Office of the State Court Administrator oversees all PREs.

Filing a Complaint against a PRE

If you believe a PRE has violated the Standards of Practice in Chief Justice Directive 21-02, you may click the button below to file a complaint. You must have a prima facie finding from the Judicial Officer in your case in order to file your complaint. The only complaints that do not require a prima facie finding by the Judicial Officer are complaints regarding the PRE’s failure to make mandatory notification of grievances and the PRE violation of CJD 21-02 Standard 6: The PRE shall establish and maintain competence through training. The PRE complaint process will not result in changes to court orders. Complaints must be brought within one year after termination of the PRE appointment.

PRIMA FACIE FINDING:
Parties or their counsel of record shall file a complaint only after the court has made prima facie findings on the record that the PRE failed to comply with the court’s order of appointment or has violated a practice standard set forth in this CJD. (Black's Law Dictionary definition of prima facie: ... (18c) Sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted; based on what seems to be true on first examination, even though it may later be proved to be untrue).

 

**If you believe a PRE is in violation of their mental health license, click here to search that PRE on the DORA website and file a complaint.

Statewide PRE Roster PRE Statewide Roster
Click on the above link to access the list of potential PREs for your case.

The Judicial Branch does not certify or endorse PREs. Parties should independently investigate PRE qualifications and suitability. Those listed on Statewide PRE Roster submitted a PRE affidavit, proof of mental health licensure, passed a background check, as determined by the Office of the State Court Administrator, and submitted proof of mandatory training pursuant to CJD 21-02. The SCAO determines final eligibility for appointment of PREs. PREs should have no expectation of appointment.

Definition of Mental Health Provider as Defined by CJD 21-02

"Licensed Mental Health Professional” refers to the following:

a) psychologists licensed pursuant to §12-245-301, C.R.S., et. seq.;
b) social workers licensed pursuant to §12-245-401, C.R.S., et. seq.;
c) marriage and family therapists licensed pursuant to §12-245-501, C.R.S., et. seq.;
d) licensed professional counselors, licensed pursuant to §12-245-601, C.R.S., et. seq.; and
e) licensed addiction counselors, defined by §12-245-801(10), C.R.S., with a scope of work defined by §12-245-803(4), C.R.S., and pursuant to §12-245-804(1), C.R.S.

Becoming a PRE

A PRE must be a mental health professional, as defined by CJD 21-02, and must have the appropriate training and qualifications pursuant to §14-10-127, C.R.S. Prospective PREs should review Chief Justice Directive 21-02 and §14-10-127, C.R.S., to learn more about the PRE role and responsibilities.

Step 1: Complete the mandatory training: Training requirements are 6 initial hours of training on domestic violence, including coercive control, and its traumatic effect on children, adults and families; and 6 initial hours of training on child abuse and child sexual abuse and its traumatic effects. The SCAO does not provide the mandatory training.

Step 2: PRE Affidavit. PRE affidavits will be accepted starting November 1, 2021 on rolling basis (processing of PRE affidavits can take approximately 14 days). Please CLICK HERE to complete the online Affidavit.

*The Affidavit will include a release of information for background check, and you will need to upload your DV and Child Abuse training certificates. Please list your contact information on your Affidavit as you wish to have it appear on the public roster.

Renewal of PRE Eligibility

*coming soon

Four subsequent hours of training every two years on domestic violence, including coercive control, and child abuse, and child sexual abuse, and the traumatic effects on children, adults, and families are required.

Authorities

§14-10-127, C.R.S. (governs the appointment of PREs)

CJD 21-02 (PRE appointment, practice standards and complaint procedures)

Click Here for Practice Guideline for Standard 3- Address Confidentiality Program

HB 21-1228

HB 21-1228 Task Force Charging Document

For More Information

For questions about PRE appointments, please email Jaime Watman at PREprogram@judicial.state.co.us

Letter to CFIs and PREs from the SCAO - click here to download PDF

 

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