Among the mistakes was a marriage date when a couple never wed and a statement that allegations of domestic violence could not be substantiated when they were never investigated. The public questions whether the specialists have the expertise to handle angry and vindictive parents. Attorneys' and the SUN's request for resumes and qualifications were denied, but officials say that eight of the specialists had advanced degrees in social work, psychology or similar fields and two have more than 10 years of field experience. This allegation is rebutted by both specialists and the judges. I have no control over what the court does with the information I give them.
Specialists concede that some of the concerns voiced by lawyers and litigants are valid.
Their caseloads force them to measure work on quantity, not quality. In addition, some judges require a recommendation be included within the reports, forcing specialists to modify their approaches based on the judge. To return the average annual caseload to the 1986 average of 80, another 10 specialists must be hired. My job is not to create more pain and chaos. In all but the most extraordinary circumstances, specialists do not interview families in their homes because it takes time away from their 49 other cases.