Dear Chapter Members,
2025 continues to go well, but there have been some changes as you have no doubt noticed.
Webinars are back! We have had two webinars since June 2025 and have additional ones scheduled in late 2025 and 2026. I encourage you to consider submitting a proposal for a webinar. Send proposals to Merlyn Hernandez at merlyn@merlynhernandez.com.
Executive Director Peggy Holbrook and AFCC California have parted ways. We welcome Brian Jensen as the new administrator of AFCC CA. Brian works with several other AFCC chapters and is very familiar with putting on AFCC webinars and conferences. Brian has also created websites for several chapters, and he is doing the same for us. Expect a new look to the website and, more importantly, one that is more user-friendly, practical and informative.
Webinars are back! We have had two webinars since June 2025 and have additional ones scheduled in late 2025 and 2026. I encourage you to consider submitting a proposal for a webinar. Send proposals to Merlyn Hernandez at merlyn@merlynhernandez.com.
The schedule for the 2026 Sacramento Conference program Practical Solutions for Complex Family Law Challenges has now been set. If it is not on your calendar, it will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Sacramento February 6 – 8, 2026. Taking a page from AFCC International’s annual conference, we are adding a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Open Forum, and we invite you to attend. We expect the conference registration to be up shortly.
I am very proud of our Statement on Recent Developments Relating to Vulnerable Children, specifically transgender youth and immigrant children, that came out in July 2025. We as an organization have an obligation to be vocal about issues affecting children and families we see in our practices and courtrooms. AFCC California will continue to be a voice for those whose voices often go overlooked.
Our Bylaws Committee submitted the proposed amendments to AFCC International, and they were approved. Now it’s your turn. We will be circulating the amendments to the bylaws for your approval in advance of the general membership meeting on February 8, 2026. Please watch for that.
As I said before, it remains a central goal to grow our membership. The California Chapter continues to produce the highest quality of research and to find new and better ways to help families. I encourage all of you to talk to colleagues about what membership in AFCC and the California Chapter can do for them and to get them to join.
Finally, we expect to unveil the new logo before the end of the year! Congrats to Rhonda Lindsay for the winning entry!
Thank you all for your continued membership and support. Hope to see you all in Sacramento.