Category: Press Releases

June 17, 2019

Gentile’s Forthcoming “Erasing Family” Documentary Focuses on
Devastating Effects of Parental Alienation

National Parents Organization (NPO), a nonprofit with the mission of protecting every child’s right to the love and care of both fit parents after separation or divorce, has announced the appointment of Ginger Gentile as its new Deputy Executive Director. Gentile will lead the nonprofit in its efforts to make shared parenting the law nationwide. Currently, just one state, Kentucky, has a true shared parenting law in place.

Gentile is an internationally respected, award-winning film and television director, producer, and speaker. For more than 20 years, she has delivered thought-provoking talks at conferences, universities, political rallies, workshops, and support groups on such topics as divorce, trauma, gender, and personal growth. She believes that in 20 minutes, audiences can shift the way they view a topic and change their actions, creating new scripts for their lives.

She is confident that once people have a better understanding of how the general public supports shared parenting, as evidenced in recent national and major market surveys, that we will see a rapid succession of shared parenting laws pass across the country. She has firsthand experience with family courts depriving children of both loving parents.

“To make shared parenting the law, we knew we needed someone who could take the injustice and the anguish of depriving a fit parent from having equal time with their children and turn it into a movement for family court reform and shared parenting legislation. With her high-profile background in activism, compelling storytelling, and consensus building, we know that Ginger is that person,” said Don Hubin, Executive Committee, NPO.

“In the U.S. alone, more than 22 million parents are being erased from their children’s lives after divorce and separation, and research shows beyond a doubt that the best thing for children is to have equal time with both fit parents,” said Gentile. “If ever there was a problem that needed to be corrected, it’s this one. In my new position at NPO, working with its tens of thousands of supporters, I have every intention of making that a reality.”

Gentile has directed and produced two documentary films that deal with the impact left on parents and children after separation or divorce. “Erasing Dad,” a feature documentary focused on the devastating effects of parental alienation, follows the stories of six fathers in Argentina who fight to recover contact with their children. It was this film that prompted the enactment of joint custody legislation in Argentina.

Told from the child’s point of view, “Erasing Family,” premiering in the fall of 2019, exposes the trauma children suffer when a loving parent is removed from their lives after divorce. Gentile is producing this film with Oscar winner Oscar Bush. In July of 2018, Gentile was named an Architect of Change by former First Lady of California Maria Shriver for her work on “Erasing Family.”

Gentile has worked extensively in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Argentina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Columbia University, where she graduated with honors. She is a member of Film Fatales, Alliance for Women Directors, Women in Film, and Directores Argentinos Cinematograficos.

About National Parents Organization

National Parents Organization (NPO) works to ensure that fit and willing parents receive equal time with their children during and after separation and divorce. The nonprofit works to help children enjoy the benefits of having both parents in their lives. Research shows children suffer when one parent is partially or fully removed from a child’s life. This includes issues with mental health and depression, drug addiction, absenteeism from school, legal troubles, gang involvement, and other well documented concerns. For more information visit www.nationalparentsorganization.org.

April 25, 2019

First Governor in the Nation to Sign a Shared Parenting Law Makes History Again with Proclamation Recognizing Kids’ Rights to Have Equal Time with Both Parents after Separation or Divorce

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, April 25, 2019 – It is almost one year to the day when Kentucky legislators made history by unanimously passing the HB528, the country’s first shared parenting law, allowing children to benefit fully from having an involved mother and father in their life. Now Governor Bevin has shown even greater support for Kentucky’s families by proclaiming April 26 “Shared Parenting Day,” from now into perpetuity.

“Thanks to our state legislators and Governor Bevin, Kentucky leads the nation in protecting children’s best interests,” said Matt Hale, Chair of National Parents Organization in Kentucky, who initiated and drove last year’s legislation, which was the most popular law passed last year. “The popularity of the shared parenting law passed last year has led to this proclamation, which ensures that April 26 will long be celebrated as the day our children were guaranteed the love and involvement of both parents after divorce or separation.”

A new national survey shows Americans overwhelmingly support shared parenting – yet Kentucky is the only state that has made it law. The vast majority of respondents (86%) would agree that both parents should have equal access to their children and shared responsibility after divorce. A full 86% also believe a child’s health and well-being are better met when both fit and willing parents are equally involved and share responsibility. Deep research confirms that’s the case: according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Census Bureau, children raised by single parents account for:

• 63% of teen suicides;
• 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions;
• 71% of high school drop-outs;
• 75% of children in chemical abuse centers;
• 85% of those in prison;
• 85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders; and
• 90% of homeless and runaway children.

“I couldn’t be prouder to come from Kentucky – the state that recognizes and celebrates that children deserve to have both parents active in their lives. Our lawmakers became role models for the rest of the nation the day they aligned state laws with research, common sense and justice about what children want and need. April 26 will forever mark that day, and we hope it will inspire other states across the nation to fight for shared parenting,” said Hale.

For more information on National Parents Organization and shared parenting, visit www.nationalparentsorganization.org.

March 2, 2019

Yet just one state, Kentucky, has a true shared parenting law

A new national survey of Americans shows overwhelming support for shared time and responsibilities for fit and able couples that are separated or divorced. In spite of this, our nation’s family courts lay the responsibility of raising children on just one parent, which has been proven to take a damaging toll. The survey also revealed political implications, with nearly half (43%) saying they would vote for a candidate supporting shared parenting, compared with 5% who said they would not vote for an elected official supporting shared parenting legislation.

The vast majority (86%) of respondents would agree that both parents should have equal access to their children and shared responsibility. They also believe it’s a matter of children’s rights: 84% think children have a right to spend equal time or near equal time with both of their parents following a divorce or separation.

A child’s health and well-being are better met when both fit and willing parents are equally involved and share responsibility, according to 86% of respondents, yet family court laws stand in the way, often harming children. Extensive research conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Census Bureau, show among other findings, that children raised by single parents account for:

·         63% of teen suicides

·         70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions

·         71% of high school drop-outs

·         75 percent of children in chemical abuse centers

·         90% of homeless and runaway children

How can this be changed? Policymakers can pay close attention to what the general public is saying and modify family courts to benefit children and both parents. If men have more responsibility in child rearing, women will be able to focus on what they need and like to do, whether it’s enjoying free time or focusing on their careers.  

More than three quarters (76%) said that separating parents should have equal parental rights vs. the mother or father having disproportionately more. Just 2% thought the mother should specifically have more time with children after separation or divorce.

“There’s no question that children significantly benefit from two involved parents, but that’s not the way family courts work. The norm is that one parent becomes a mere visitor in their children’s lives, while the other shoulders the entire burden and responsibility. Ultimately, it’s our children who pay the price,” said Ned Holstein, Founder and Chair of the National Parents Organization. “It’s time to reform our outdated family courts system, state by state, and given children and both parents what they deserve.”

The survey was fielded by ResearchScape International from February 28 to March 1, 2019 with 1,000 respondents and a statistical relevance of +/- 3%.

For a copy of the complete survey or to speak with someone from the National Parents Organization, please contact Terese Kelly at 201-843-5600, Ext. 206 or email terese@rosica.com.

March 1, 2019

A new survey of Kansans reveals overwhelming support for shared parenting, family court reform, and equal parenting rights among couples that are separated and divorced.

In this poll, Kansan residents reveal the following beliefs shared and equal parenting and legislation (Senate Bill 157) that impacts couples with children that are going through or who have experienced separation or divorce:

·    80% of respondents “support a recently proposed Kansas law that encourages courts to give fit parents equal parenting time after divorce” (only 2% “oppose”)

·    83% “think that separating parents should have equal parenting rights”

·    89% “feel that fit and willing mothers and fathers should share in the responsibility of raising and providing for children whether they are married or divorced, or not”

·    87% “believe it is in the best interests of the child to have as much time as possible with both fit parents in instances of divorce” (only 3% “do not believe it is in the best interests of the child”)

·    Only 53% “feel that the family courts currently treat parents equally in instances of divorce or some”

·    87% “feel the children of the right to spend equal time or near equal time with both of their parents following a divorce or separation”

“Children deserve consistent love and care from both parents, but all too often our judicial system does not treat fathers fairly in custody decisions,” said Senate President Susan Wagle in support of Senate Bill 157. “Senate Bill 157 encourages a much-needed shared parenting arrangement, allowing children to benefit fully from having an involved mother and father in their life.”

For a copy of the complete survey, or to speak with someone from the Kansas Chapter of the National Parents Organization, please contact Terese Kelly at 201-843-5600, Ext. 206 or email terese@rosica.com.

Survey of 532 Kansans conducted by Researchscape International. The results were weighted by age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment, and voting participation to produce a representative sample with a credibility interval of +/- 6%.

NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION | PRESS RELEASE

December 18, 2018

National Parents Organization (NPO) is pleased to introduce Jerry Papin, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, as the chairperson of a new affiliate in the state of Idaho. With its recent additions, the nonprofit organization has grown to include affiliates in 16 states.

Papin, 52, has lived in eastern Idaho for more than 30 years and is also a retired small-business owner. He has three children and two stepchildren and is interested in using his experiences to help promote legislation in the state to encourage better outcomes in family courts.

“My encounter with the family law system left me surprised and disappointed,” Papin said. “I hadn’t realized that there was such a systemwide, entrenched bias against both parents continuing to parent their children after a divorce. The system is intent on promoting the idea that one of the parents is going to effectively stop being a parent simply because a marriage ended. This just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Papin envisions Idaho as a leading state in directing, through clear and binding statute, its family court system to presume that shared parenting has been and remains what’s best for children. He describes the current growing membership in the state as dedicated and passionate and welcomes help from anyone in promoting NPO’s mission.

Based on overwhelming evidence from scientific studies, the current outcomes in family courts throughout the country don’t generally support the best interests of children.

“The system too often guarantees that the children suffer,” Papin said. “They become forever stuck in an impossible situation between a parent who becomes lawfully and solely dominant and a parent who has now been lawfully handicapped from consistently, regularly parenting. What used to be a balanced and healthy relationship becomes so overwhelmingly lopsided that one parent actually becomes a ‘visitor’ in those children’s lives.

“For a society to have its laws misused to tell a parent that they are limited to ‘visitation’ of their own children is frightening. Yet, individually, we’re not really aware that this is occurring until children we care for are pulled into this well-intentioned but warped process.”

NPO is a charitable and educational nonprofit organization with a goal to make shared parenting the norm by reforming the family courts and laws in every state. Members seek to educate constituents and motivate legislators to change family law at the state level based on the overwhelming and mounting evidence that children benefit from maintaining the important familial bonds with a mother and a father regardless of marital status.

Those interested in joining or contributing to the Idaho chapter of NPO can call 208-274-3273 or email Papin at jerrypapin@nationalparentsorganization.org.

“Jerry’s passion for the cause shines through in the way he communicates about shared parenting and legislative reform,” NPO Executive Director Petra Maxwell said. “NPO is excited to add him to our growing list of dedicated volunteers who tirelessly work to communicate with elected officials who can prompt change. Momentum continues to build for shared parenting, and we look forward to Jerry helping to continue that with his work in Idaho.”

NPO relies on the generous contributions of its members. If interested in contributing to NPO, volunteering your time or starting a state affiliate, visit www.nationalparentsorganization.org or email parenting@nationalparentsorganization.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION
National Parents Organization, a charitable and educational 501 (c)(3) organization, seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong bonds with both parents, which is critically important to their emotional, mental, and physical health. National Parents Organization released the Shared Parenting Report Card, the first study to rank the states on child custody laws, and in 2017, National Parents Organization hosted the International Conference on Shared Parenting, bringing in research scholars from 18 countries to share their results on shared parenting. Visit the National Parents Organization website at www.nationalparentsorganization.org

NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION | PRESS RELEASE

November 26, 2018

National Parents Organization (NPO) was privileged to be featured in an episode of CNN’s “This is Life with Lisa Ling” over the weekend.

Entitled “The Dad Dilemma,” the hourlong documentary-style show touched on important topics related to America’s family court system, including the inability to receive timely hearings, the use of inaccurate domestic violence charges, the punitive nature of child support orders and the struggle for fathers who want to be active in their children’s lives but receive limited opportunity. Lisa Ling, host of the show, even concluded there were obvious problems with court rulings following a divorce or separation uncovered during her reporting.

NPO strongly believes legislative reform centered on the concept of shared parenting — as close to equal time for both parents whenever possible — can help solve many of these ongoing and too-often-overlooked problems.

“I feel pretty upset,” Ling said in the episode after profiling a North Carolina man serving as the noncustodial parent of his son. “We are constantly talking about the crisis of absent fathers in this country, and here is a man who has the desire to be an active part of his son’s life — not just an every-other-weekend dad — and the system is preventing him from doing that. I just can’t see how that is in the best interest of this little boy.”

“We appreciate CNN bringing light to this important topic,” said Petra Maxwell, executive director for NPO. “This is a welcome acknowledgement not only of the existing problem with this nation’s family courts but the momentum of a movement impacting positive change to the system through legislative reform. NPO is proud to be a part of that movement, and we look forward to continuing to making a difference and helping parents maintain relationships that serve the best interest of their children.”

CNN highlighted the movement in this country to seek changes to existing laws, featuring NPO as one organization facilitating these important changes. In the past year, NPO representatives in Virginia and Kentucky helped pass landmark new legislation for those states that advance the concept of shared parenting.

“No better substitute has ever been found for children than two loving, fit parents,” NPO founder Ned Holstein, M.D., said on the show in a clip from a speech.

NPO, a charitable and educational nonprofit organization, has grown to include 16 state affiliates throughout the United States. Members seek to educate constituents and motivate legislators to change family law at the state level based on the overwhelming and mounting evidence that children benefit from maintaining the important familial bonds with a mother and a father regardless of marital status.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION
National Parents Organization, a charitable and educational 501 (c)(3) organization, seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong bonds with both parents, which is critically important to their emotional, mental, and physical health. National Parents Organization released the Shared Parenting Report Card, the first study to rank the states on child custody laws, and in 2017, National Parents Organization hosted the International Conference on Shared Parenting, bringing in research scholars from 18 countries to share their results on shared parenting. Visit the National Parents Organization website at www.nationalparentsorganization.org

NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION | PRESS RELEASE

November 20, 2018

National Parents Organization (NPO) is pleased to welcome a new affiliate in the state of New York, with Josh Blumenthal serving as the chairperson. The non-profit organization has grown to include affiliates in 16 states.

Blumenthal, 70, brings a unique experience to NPO’s effort to effect positive change in family court systems throughout the country. He gained custody, along with his now ex-wife, of his 8-month-old grandson and they later adopted him in 2004.

Following a separation, Blumenthal and his wife went through the family court system, and he spent years trying to facilitate an arrangement in the best interest of the child involved.

“Even if I’d been blind, I could not have missed the terrible effects on Jordan’s behavior, and this led me to see the experience through his eyes, from his perspective,” Blumenthal said. “I came to understand that nothing would have changed my ex’s behavior, but that the negative impact on Jordan would have been much less if we had had 50-50 shared custody. As time went on, I became more and more convinced that that should be the default position taken by family court, with allowances for a number of circumstances that might override the presumption.”

Blumenthal uses his experience to motivate volunteer work advocating for change in New York. Semiretired and with his son about to turn 21, he is no longer involved in custody challenges and seeks to improve the outcomes for children throughout the state, with the best interest of children being the top priority.

“A divorce or separation can be a difficult event, but a child’s need for both parents during this process remains the same as it was before,” Blumenthal said. “In fact, in a time of such turmoil, I’d argue that the child’s need for both parents is heightened, not diminished. The only compassionate thing to do is to give that child equal time with both parents whenever possible.

“I truly believe shared parenting is the best way to give the child the most emotionally secure life possible.”

NPO is a charitable and educational nonprofit organization with a goal to make shared parenting the norm by reforming the family courts and laws in every state. Members seek to educate constituents and motivate legislators to change family law at the state level based on the overwhelming and mounting evidence that children benefit from maintaining the important familial bonds with a mother and a father regardless of marital status.

“We are excited to welcome Josh and the state of New York to our growing list of affiliates,” NPO executive director Petra Maxwell said. “Josh has displayed his commitment to improving the system for others so that they don’t endure the same frustration and hardships he did during his experience. We thank him for his resolve and determination and look forward to assisting him in efforts to create positive change in the state.”

NPO relies on the generous contributions of its members. If interested in contributing to NPO, volunteering your time or starting a state affiliate, visit www.nationalparentsorganization.org or email parenting@nationalparentsorganization.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION
National Parents Organization, a charitable and educational 501 (c)(3) organization, seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong bonds with both parents, which is critically important to their emotional, mental, and physical health. National Parents Organization released the Shared Parenting Report Card, the first study to rank the states on child custody laws, and in 2017, National Parents Organization hosted the International Conference on Shared Parenting, bringing in research scholars from 18 countries to share their results on shared parenting. Visit the National Parents Organization website at www.nationalparentsorganization.org

NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION | PRESS RELEASE

October 26, 2018

National Parents Organization (NPO) is excited to welcome six new state affiliate chapters, adding to the organization’s already robust network of shared parenting activists across the country.

California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota and New York now have the opportunity to build membership in an effort to effect positive change in each state’s family court system. NPO now has 15 state affiliates located throughout the United States and looks to replicate recent legislative achievements in Kentucky and Virginia that promote shared parenting for children following a divorce or separation of their parents.

Janet Mercurio (California), Tina Lia (Hawaii), Jerry Papin (Idaho), William Cozzi (Illinois), Brian Ulrich (Minnesota) and Josh Blumenthal (New York) will be the new affiliate chairs in their respective states.

“We are delighted to have such an encouraging influx of dedicated volunteers for NPO,” said Petra Maxwell, Executive Director for NPO. “These new leaders will undoubtedly work tirelessly to challenge our outdated child custody practices and promote legislation that promotes equal, shared parenting — relationships that truly benefit the well-being of the children involved.”

NPO is a charitable and educational nonprofit organization with a goal to make shared parenting the norm by reforming the family courts and laws in every state. Members seek to educate constituents and motivate legislators to change family law at the state level.

NPO relies on the generous contributions of its members. If interested in contributing to NPO, volunteering your time, or starting a state affiliate, visit www.nationalparentsorganization.org or email parenting@nationalparentsorganization.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION
National Parents Organization, a charitable and educational 501 (c)(3) organization, seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong bonds with both parents, which is critically important to their emotional, mental, and physical health. National Parents Organization released the Shared Parenting Report Card, the first study to rank the states on child custody laws, and in 2017, National Parents Organization hosted the International Conference on Shared Parenting, bringing in research scholars from 18 countries to share their results on shared parenting. Visit the National Parents Organization website at www.nationalparentsorganization.org

NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION | PRESS RELEASE

October 16, 2018

A recent poll of voters in Ohio showed overwhelming support for shared parenting outcomes, backing up a recent National Parents Organization (NPO) study that concluded changes could be made to many default plans throughout the state.

Public Policy Polling questioned 556 Ohio voters about shared parenting — as close to equal time with both fit and willing parents in instances of divorce or separation. The results showed 89 percent of respondents believe parents share in the responsibility of raising children regardless of marital status, and 77 percent of those polled would support a change in Ohio law that would award children equal time with both “fit and willing parents” in instances of divorce.

Only 8 percent said they would oppose such a change.

“My hope is that lawmakers and judges throughout the state will consider the evidence before them and work to facilitate improvements in Ohio’s family court system,” said Don Hubin, Ph.D., chair of the National Parents Organization’s Ohio chapter. “There’s no reason to believe that supporting an initiative to make shared parenting a default starting point would generate an adverse reaction from constituents. Shared parenting is best for children, and this most recent polling shows voters want what is best for children.”

Released last month, the Ohio Parenting Time Report found the default parenting plans in Ohio varied wildly from county to county. Only three of 88 Courts of Common Pleas received an A or A- grade in the study for default language protecting a child’s interest in having equal time with both parents following a divorce or separation.

By contrast, 64 of 88 of the required default parenting arrangements allow the nonresidential parent less than 20 percent of regular time — defined as nonvacation, nonholiday time for parents living in what the court considers “close proximity” — with their children.

The polling data collected on shared parenting showed that 82 percent of respondents believe “it is in the best interests of the child to have as much time as possible with both fit parents in instances of divorce.” Additionally, 87 percent of those polled felt children have the right to spend equal or near equal time with both parents following divorce or separation, but only 13 percent of respondents believe the family courts treat parents equally.

The results were consistent across all genders, age groups, races and political affiliations.

An overwhelming amount of research continues to show the health and wellbeing of children are best served when they maintain the important relationships with both their mother and father. According to Public Policy Polling, 88 percent of survey respondents agree with these findings.

“Studies continually show adverse effects for children following a divorce are limited when they maintain a healthy relationship with both parents,” Hubin said. “Additionally, results of this polling show people support shared parenting outcomes. The need to implement change is long overdue, and there’s no discernible reason to maintain a system that stands at odds with the will of voters.”

The Ohio Revised Code requires each Ohio Court of Common Pleas to adopt “standard parenting time guidelines” for dividing children’s time between parents when the parents live apart. These guidelines used across the state have generally been in place for decades and the majority of them have clearly become unaligned with what current studies show is in the best interest of children.

While the default parenting plans only serve as a guideline in instances when parents can’t agree to a plan, children remain subject to vastly different outcomes based simply on geography when they are utilized.

“Default parenting time schedules of each Ohio county should be grounded on the best scientific understanding of parenting schedules that are in the best interest of the children,” Hubin said. “The arbitrary and inconsistent guidelines in Ohio can’t possibly all be beneficial due to the drastic variance. Parents should be encouraged to work out an arrangement that works best for them, but a shared parenting presumption would provide a better opportunity to achieve a fair outcome that positively impacts a child’s wellbeing in all cases.”

ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS ORGANIZATION
National Parents Organization, a charitable and educational 501 (c)(3) organization, seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation. The organization is focused on promoting shared parenting and preserving a child’s strong bonds with both parents, which is critically important to their emotional, mental, and physical health. National Parents Organization released the Shared Parenting Report Card, the first study to rank the states on child custody laws, and in 2017, National Parents Organization hosted the International Conference on Shared Parenting, bringing in research scholars from 18 countries to share their results on shared parenting. Visit the National Parents Organization website at www.nationalparentsorganization.org