NYACP NEWS ~ January 2026

Volume 7, Issue 4

In this Issue

President's Message
NYACP Board of Directors
Member Spotlights
NYACP Pods
Support Groups for Collaborative Practice (SGCP)
Committees

MESSAGE FROM OUR 2026 NYACP PRESIDENT

By Ellen Jancko-Baken

What an incredible year 2025 was for NYACP! We closed the year with a beautiful celebration of our 25th anniversary — a milestone that would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you to everyone who sponsored, supported, and attended our Gala. Your dedication and enthusiasm continue to strengthen our community and the collaborative spirit that defines us.

As we look ahead to 2026, there is much to be excited about! Be sure to read our latest Newsletter carefully — it’s filled with important updates and opportunities to get involved.

One highlight coming soon is our Basic Collaborative Interdisciplinary Training (BCIT), scheduled for May 15–16. This foundational program is perfect for professionals new to collaborative practice as well as for seasoned practitioners who’d like to refresh their skills. The BCIT is more than a training — it’s a meaningful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside colleagues who share your commitment to collaboration.

Also, please keep an eye out for details about our Membership Meeting, planned for late February. At this virtual gathering, we’ll share highlights from our new strategic plan and our vision for the future of NYACP. We’ll also invite your input and ideas — because your voice is essential in shaping not only the future of our organization, but also the future of the collaborative process itself.

Thank you again for your continued involvement and support. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, and together, we’ll continue to grow and lead with purpose in 2026 and beyond.

Ellen Jancko-Baken 

President, NYACP

 NYACP Board of Directors

YOUR BOARD AT WORK

Your NYACP Board meets every two months on the Second Thursday. Your Board continues to develop educational, networking, and social programming that encourages and enables you to become actively involved in strengthening relationships that foster the development of your Collaborative practice. Our most recent and very productive Board meeting was held virtually on January 15, 2026, setting the context for a great year to come for NYACP members and our clients!

The NYACP Board also wants to extend a warm welcome to our newest Board member, Jay Mota! 

Jay Mota, MAFF, CVA, CDFA®, CQS, CFP® Founder & Managing Director, Divorce Logic LLC Jay Mota is a financial professional, trained mediator, and collaborative law practitioner who helps individuals and families navigate the financial side of divorce with clarity, compassion, and confidence. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Divorce Logic LLC, a firm dedicated exclusively to divorce-related financial planning, forensics, valuations, and settlement support. A Bronx, New York native, Jay brings more than 28 years of experience in the financial services industry to his work. He is a, Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Certified QDRO Specialist, and Certified Financial Planner™ with additional credentials in wealth management, insurance, and retirement planning. Jay is also FINRA licensed and holds life, health, and property & casualty insurance licenses. Jay’s approach is both technical and human. He works closely with clients and their attorneys to identify and value marital assets, analyze income and cash flow, assess debts, address tax considerations, and ensure retirement benefits are divided properly. His work frequently includes QDRO drafting, mediation and settlement support, litigation support, and post-divorce financial guidance. As a trained family mediator and collaborative law professional, Jay is particularly focused on helping parties reach informed, durable agreements while minimizing unnecessary conflict. Before entering the financial profession, Jay served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army National Guard, an experience that continues to shape his disciplined, service-oriented approach. He earned his academic training through institutions including NYU, Fordham University, and The American College of Financial Services, where he also serves as an adjunct professor, mentoring future financial professionals. Education is central to Jay’s work. He regularly collaborates with attorneys through CLE programs, firm trainings, and client education initiatives, with a focus on improving financial literacy in divorce. He believes that fair outcomes are achieved not simply by looking at the numbers on paper, but by understanding how timing, taxes, risk, and long-term financial consequences affect real lives. Outside of his professional practice, Jay is a proud husband and father of four. When he is not working with clients, he enjoys boating with his family, traveling, golfing, and giving back to the community. In 2017, he founded The Building Blocks Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting homeless students attending New York City public schools. Jay is known for his calm, approachable style, his ability to explain complex financial issues in plain language, and his unwavering commitment to fairness and integrity. His goal is to be a steady resource for clients and professionals alike during one of life’s most challenging transitions.

The Board has recently approved the development and implementation of a program that will offer members the opportunity to acquire an Advanced Seal of Excellence in Education and Training. The Advanced Seal through NYACP sets these professionals apart as leaders in their field. Special thanks to Kathleen Donelli, Marcos Fernandez, Randy Heller,  and Steve Kaplan for their work on this project. We will be working on the continued development of this project. Please look out for further information!

What The Advanced Seal Represents: 

1. Commitment to Excellence: The Advanced Seal demonstrates that a professional has met rigorous standards, including specialized advanced training in Collaborative Practice, and has substantial experience working collaboratively to resolve conflicts. 

2. Ethical Standards: Professionals with The Advanced Seal are held to high ethical standards, ensuring that their work aligns with the core values of transparency, respect, and client empowerment. 

3. Continuous Learning: The Advanced Seal process requires ongoing education and training, which ensures that professionals remain current with best practices and innovative approaches within the Collaborative framework. 

4. Teamwork and Interdisciplinary Expertise: Professionals with the Advanced Seal are skilled at working as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing comprehensive support for families navigating conflict. 

Benefits of NYACP  Advanced Seal for Professionals: 

1. Professional Recognition: The Advanced Seal establishes credibility and positions professionals as trusted leaders in their field. This recognition can enhance client trust and referrals from other professionals. 

2. Enhanced Client Outcomes: The Advanced Seal verifies that professionals have advanced training in conflict resolution and communication, enabling them to guide families more effectively toward sustainable, mutually beneficial agreements. 

3. Networking Opportunities: The Advanced Seal provides access to a network of like-minded professionals committed to the expansion of Collaborative Practice. This fosters opportunities for learning, mentorship, and partnerships. 

4. Differentiation in the Marketplace: With the NYACP Advanced Seal, professionals stand out in a competitive market, emphasizing their dedication to learning the most effective and efficient ways to resolve disputes in a respectful, efficient, and client-centered manner. 

5. Contributing to the Growth of Collaborative Practice. By obtaining the Advanced Seal, professionals demonstrate a commitment to advancing the collaborative movement, helping to transform the way conflicts are resolved in NY and beyond. 

Bylaws Update

A task force continues to work on reviewing and updating the current bylaws. This task force is comprised of Alan Dubow, Esq.,  Randy Heller, PhD, Anthony Markus, Esq., and  Larry Rothbard, Esq. 

Each board member either participates in or chairs a committee. We all welcome and need your participation and support. These committees are open to all members. Please don’t be hesitant to reach out to any of the committee chairs to find out how to join!

 MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

Our NYACP members continue to do extraordinary work in the community with their widespread efforts at spreading peace throughout families. Please be on the lookout for requests from Randy Heller ([email protected]) to let us know what you’ve been doing! Don’t be shy! All submissions are welcome and included. 

Michael B. Kislin, CFA, CIMA®, CFP®, CDFA®, CEPA® 

Michael continues his efforts throughout our communities to emphasize the connection between Mind, Money, Divorce, and one’s overall well-being.

Recently, Michael met with several of NYACP’s members -  Josh Farrar, Marcos Fernandez, Andrea Vacca, and Emily Upshur in order to continue this important dialogue.

Michael wrote, “One insight that stayed with me:From a child's perspective, it's not why the divorce happened that leaves the deepest imprint. It's how the adults treated each other during and after that becomes the lasting memory. That truth underscores why holistic advising matters. The best advisors don't start with strategy or settlement — they start with one question: "What do you need?" Process, education, and support aren't "extras." They reduce fear, lower reactivity, and create space for better decisions. When people are informed and supported, they're far less likely to settle out of exhaustion, fear, or dwindling resources — and far more likely to reach outcomes they and their transformed family can live with long-term.”

On December 16th , Ivy Menchel, CFP®, CBEC®, CDFA®, presented a webinar titled Solo-Agers:  Your Lifetime Plan for the Age Brilliantly community (adults of all ages who want to maximize their opportunities to lead fulfilling 100-year lives).  Millions of people age alone, and this population doesn’t have the support of children to care for them.  A solo-ager can be divorced, widowed, or never married… they can be an individual or couple who either do not have children or those children may not be available, because they may live far away, may be estranged, or may not be capable of providing support due to their own challenges or capabilities.  Without the help of family, millions of adults aging solo are at greater risk for isolation, financial exploitation,n and medication mismanagement. The good news is, with the right plan, they can age confidently, safely, and independently.  Ivy shared practical strategies with the audience to help them stay independent, financially secure, and confident about their future. The information will help them build a realistic plan for their home, health, and support network, so they can age well, on their own terms.  The overarching theme was that Solo aging doesn’t mean going it alone—it means planning wisely, so you never have to.

Ivy also recently moderated a program, “Reading Between the Lines: Tax Returns for Divorce Mediators, “ on Jan 7th, hosted by the FDMC.  The workshop gave mediators the practical tools to transform tax returns from dense financial documents into clear, actionable insights. The session addressed how to spot hidden income, identify red-flag financial behaviors, understand cash-flow realities, and interpret tax data that directly affects support, asset division, and negotiation leverage. Designed for non-accountants, the program equipped mediators with the financial fluency needed to guide clients more confidently and reach fair, informed resolutions. The Panelists were Michael Durant and Fabian Degen. 

Ivy Menchel and Andrea Vacca also presented a webinar to the National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP) titled Mediating and Collaborating in the Face of Financial Betrayal. Their program examined how financial betrayal, often arising unintentionally, can profoundly impact trust, communication, and progress in divorce and postnuptial matters. The presentation offered all divorce professionals, including mediators, collaborative, legal,  financial, and mental health professionals, practical guidance on identifying financial betrayal, understanding its emotional and procedural impact, and implementing tools that help clients feel safe enough to move forward productively.

Katherine Miller of the Miller Law Group 

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!

Congratulations Katherine!

This book grew out of the heart of our collaborative practice — helping clients manage strong emotions, make thoughtful decisions, and build solutions that reflect what matters most to them. “I feel deep gratitude for my NYACP colleagues, whose dedication, insight, and compassion have profoundly shaped my work and continue to inspire me every day.”- Katherine Miller

NYACP member, Lara Traum, is involved in the development of a very important project with Woody Mosten! You might want to get involved…

When the media laments the polarization of our youth, it underscores a simple truth: peacebuilding cannot be left to seasoned peacemakers alone. It is a privilege to help develop the International Peace Camp for Teenagers alongside esteemed visionaries Forrest (Woody) Mosten, Ken Cloke, Matthew Carroll, Prabha Sankaranarayan, 'Martin', Scott R. CLA, and the team at Mediators Beyond Borders International.
See the link below for more information:
file:///Users/Lenovo/Downloads/International-Peace-Camp-for-Teenagers.pdf

Lara is a mediator, collaborative attorney, parenting coordinator and partner at Roytberg Traum Law and Mediation, P.C. (www.goodlawfirm.com), practicing as an attorney in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and as a mediator internationally. Lara is also the founder of PeaceChord LLC (www.peacechord.com).

A fully out-of-court practitioner by choice, Lara is an active Board member and past president of the NYS Council on Divorce Mediation and an attorney-member of Long Island Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Lara has authored numerous articles on mediation and collaborative law and co-authored the books Effectively Representing Clients in Family Mediation (ABA) and Family Lawyer as Peacemaker (ABA). Lara trains and lectures throughout the US and internationally. Before pursuing her conflict resolution career, Lara worked as a choral conductor and sang as a soprano and soloist in classical venues throughout NYS. She is a proud resident of Queens, NY, the most ethnically diverse county in the world with over 190 languages spoken. Lara works with families in English and in Russian, as well as in interpreter-assisted settings. 

Lara can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]

 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

If you are new to NYACP, we want to highlight and introduce you to our membership. Please submit your information to Randy Heller at [email protected]

 Meet Tracy Hawkes

TRACY HAWKES. Tracy is a collaboratively trained matrimonial attorney who joined the NYACP in 2025. For the past eight years, she practiced exclusively in matrimonial and family law, with a background that includes both litigation and mediation.  That experience has given her a deep appreciation for the challenges that parties face during this process, and has reinforced her belief in the value of the collaborative process.

Tracy joined Joseph Law Group in January 2026 and is truly excited to be part of a firm that is deeply committed to resolving matrimonial matters with dignity, respect, and thoughtful problem solving.  She is looking forward to continuing to work with, and learn from, her fellow NYACP members.

Meet Tanya L.  Leach

TANYA L. LEACH  Tanya is a psychotherapist/psychoanalyst and an attorney-mediator in private practice in New York City. Tanya works with adults, adolescents and couples in her therapy practice and with families, couples and small groups in her mediation and law practice. Tanya graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law in 2002 and began her legal career in the litigation department of a white-shoe NYC law firm. Tanya ultimately became jaded by the expense, aggression and delay inherent in a litigated proceeding, and in 2013 she began training to become a psychoanalyst at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (“NIP”), while simultaneously training in Family and Divorce Mediation at the Center for Understanding in Conflict and at the Ackerman Institute, ultimately training in collaborative law with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.  Tanya’s psychoanalytic training provides her with the tools to deeply understand the roots of her client’s impasses, and to help them break through their unprocessed traumas and psychological defenses towards resolution.

Tanya is a member of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, and the Family and Divorce Mediation Council (where she served as a board director). She is also the Past-President of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies Professional Association, a member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis, and a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis. She is currently a board director, supervisor and faculty at NIP.  She was appointed to the mediation panel of the New York Supreme Court matrimonial mediators for Queens County and is a volunteer attorney-mediator with the New York Legal Assistance Group and with the New York City Small Claims Court. Tanya also does pro bono restorative justice work with incarcerated individuals and groups in New York State correctional facilities. In her downtime, Tanya enjoys singing with the New York Bar Association Chorus, hiking in Rockland County, and caring for her husband and her cats.

 NYACP PODS

POD Meetings are monthly. Please check the full calendar on our website for topics, dates and times. PODS, which meet monthly via a virtual format, make this opportunity accessible to all of our members regardless of where you reside. To look back at previous POD Presentations visit the Video Library. That said, PODS are a wonderful way to learn, grow, and develop relationships with your fellow Collaborative Colleagues. Looking forward to seeing all of you taking advantage of this great member benefit. Thank you to all of our Pod leaders!

 NEW YORK CITY POD

In preparation for the holidays, Dr. Barbara Rothberg and Dr. Judie Stein facilitated a very important interactive discussion presenting creative ideas for celebrating the holidays post-divorce from a Family Specialist’s perspective. This information helped Family Specialists and other Collaborative Professionals to guide families through the many events and celebrations that families encounter throughout the year, and ways to manage them.

Dr. Barbara Rothberg is a licensed clinical social worker and has been in practice for more than 40 years. She has additional training and certifications in Family and Couple Therapy, Mediation, Collaborative Practice and Child Inclusive Mediation. Barbara has worked as family and couple therapist, mediator, parent coordinator with high conflict couples, and divorce coach/family specialist in conjunction with collaborative attorneys and other mediators. She has experience teaching couple therapy to graduate students, leading seminars and workshops at conferences and presenting to various organizations over the years. She is a member of FDMC, where she is a board member, as well as being a board member for CUC. She is a member of NYACP, AFCC, NYSCDM, and is on the Advisory Council of Familykind, as well as the Gender Project at the Ackerman Institute. She received her doctorate in Social Work at The Graduate Center, Hunter School of Social Work.

Dr. Judie Stein is a licensed clinical social worker and a seasoned Ackerman-trained mediator, EFT couple and family therapist, discernment therapist, and family specialist with The New York Association for Collaborative Practice.  A former Adjunct Professor in Child Development, Judie ensures that the children’s developmental and special needs are considered and helps separating parents learn to co-parent effectively to minimize the emotional impact on the family.

She is also an individual, couple, and family therapist, specializing in eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and relationships, among others.  She integrates CBT, DBT, Wellness, Contemplative Psychotherapy, Nonviolent Communication, and Mindful Self-Compassion into a holistic approach to help patients identify connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as examine broader underlying issues related to identity, values, and purpose.  

Judie received her doctorate in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from UCLA and her Master’s in Social Work from NYU.  She was the Vice President of FDMC for five years.

 NORTHERN WESTCHESTER POD

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the NW Pod hosted a presentation and discussion on handling business interests in Collaborative Matters. The presentation focused on types of business, including Real Estate LLCs/Construction companies, small businesses, and separate property family business interests. 

Issues such as valuation, share of non-titled spouse, and legal burden on non-titled spouse to demonstrate contribution were discussed. The presentation was followed by a round table discussion on how we handle these issues in our collaborative matters, led by Ken and Melissa.

The NW Pod is led by Melissa Goodstein, Esq. and Ken Novenstern, Esq. Please contact Melissa at [email protected] if you would like to present or share a future topic or speaker of interest for a future NW Pod meeting. The NW POD are recorded and materials are posted on the Members-only section of the NYACP website. The NW POD is open to all members- hope you can join us!

 LONG ISLAND POD

Our January meeting kicked off with a “support group” where we discussed various issues that arise in cases and how we each would or have handled them. Questions regarding home ownership, residency and exemption requirements, caps on support, Ira beneficiary income distributions, and more.

Please contact any of the pod leaders if you would like to present or share a future topic or speaker of interest for a future meeting.

 NYACP SUPPORT GROUPS

Northern Westchester Support Group – The NW SGCP Group has been meeting since September 2011 and meets on the third Wednesday every other month from 5:30 to 6:30. NYACP established these groups for the purpose of refining members’ collaborative practice skills through group discussion, self-reflection, feedback, and acquired insight with group participation. Confidentiality and attendance are required to encourage consistency and the building of trust. The members of the NW SGCP group, led by Melissa Goodstein, include Ellen Jancko Baken, Tony Markus, Kenneth Novenstern, Meg Sussman, Michelle Lewis, Alan Dubow, Lydia Milone, Margaretha Gravett, Ivan Alter, Lili Vasileff. If you are interested in joining a SGCP group, please contact NYACP’s executive director Sarah Sheehan. 

Mental Health Process/Support Group –Facilitated by Jeffrey Steiger and Bob Raymond . These meetings are held quarterly on Tuesday mornings from 8:00 am-9:00 am. Our next MHP meeting. Only NYACP members qualify to participate in this group. 

This NYACP MH Process Group will meet quarterly.

After years of participating in interdisciplinary pods and support groups, a process group for Family and Child Specialists has been established to talk among ourselves about the work we are doing.  

We see this group as an opportunity to share clinical experiences, obtain help from one another on challenging cases, talk about team dynamics and the diverse functions we undertake on teams, and have an opportunity to get to know each other and learn about the professional work we are each doing.

The group meets quarterly from 8:00-9:00 AM. Register on the NYACP website

2026 Meeting Dates:

January 20, 2026

April 21, 2026 

June 30, 2026

October 20, 2026 

If you have any questions, please contact the group leaders: Jeffrey Steiger and Bob Raymond.

We are all grateful to our support animals who comfort our clients (and us)!

Exciting News-A new Support Group is being formed - Collaborative Practice (SGCP) "Welcoming Diversity in Culture and Practice" has launched with meetings on the 4th Tuesday of every other month from 530-630pm beginning October 28th, thereafter Dec, Feb, April, and June - of which December and June will be scheduling a field trip focusing on diversity in culture. This group will support members who want to be thoughtful about the impact of identity and culture in their collaborative work and are eager to collaborate with like-minded colleagues to help put the "how" into the "what" we commit to. This SGCP, like all SGCP groups, will require commitment of participation and is open to all NYACP members. Contact Sarah at [email protected], Melissa Goodstein at [email protected], or Catherine Canade at [email protected] for more information.

 COMMITTEES

NYACP TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The NYACP Training and Education Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month to develop and implement monthly training and educational programs for NYACP with a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. The committee led by co-chairs Anthony Markus and Melissa Goodstein include Kenneth Novenstern, Ivan Alter, Alan Dubow, Kathleen Donelli, Michael McLaughlin, Michael Kislin, Katherine Miller, and Meg Sussman. The entire committee is also hard at work in planning an Interdisciplinary Collaborative training and refresher for NYACP members, which will provide fresh and new ideas from the Tampa Bay Collaborative trainers in the Spring 2026- Stay Tuned!

Most programs will provide CLEs and CMEs. And CEUs (Sponsored by Family Kind – Thank you!). 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

The NYACP Membership Committee is comprised of Barbara Bel, Catherine Canade, Jacqueline Caputo, Stacy Collins, Ariella Deutsch, Marcos Fernandez, Shara Goldfarb, Adam Halper, Randy Heller, Nancy Kaye, Michael Kislin, Michelle Lewis, and Teresa Ombres

The Membership Committee has Several Sub- Working Groups: 

Growing the Collaborative Circle (GCC), the mission of which is to grow our relationships with other organizations outside of the NYACP that would be interested in the work we do. 

The Growing Collaborative Circle Committee (“GCC”) of the NYACP and the New York Mental Health Community are excited join together for this Social and Networking Event on February 4, 2026. Please join us!

Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) are fundamental to the success and expansion of Collaborative Practice.
MHPs stand on the front lines, whether serving as a career niche, a crucial referral source, or providing direct support to our individual clients and their families. Their expertise is vital in upholding our unique mission: the peaceful dissolution of marriages, the protection of children, and the preservation of family integrity.

Now, more than ever, NYACP is committed to supporting the mental health community as they champion our work. To foster this essential relationship, we invite MHPs who have an interest in learning more about the collaborative divorce process to be our guests at our 2026 kickoff  "Cocktails and Conversation" event.  We are excited to welcome our NYACP members and encourage you all to invite MHP friends and colleagues who share our values and commitment to families going through divorce.

Let's come together to network, share insights, and build the strong professional alliances necessary to serve our community effectively and Grow Our Collaborative Circle

Our Events Working Group is responsible for planning and organizing various events to help our members connect and build relationships. In addition to our ongoing events, they arrange Collaborative Connection lunches on Long Island, in New York City, and in Westchester for our members to get to know one another in a more intimate setting. Our next event is scheduled for March 19, 2026. 

Join us at The Escape Game for an exciting Escape Room Adventure on March 19, 2026. 

 https://theescapegame.com/newyorkcity/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp&utm_id=newyorkcity

This engaging experience is designed not just for fun, but also to foster trusted relationships among participants. After we crack the codes and solve the mysteries, we'll gather at the Grand Central Station Grand Brasserie for refreshments and lively conversation.

This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen connections, share laughs, and build a supportive community. Don’t miss out on the chance to bond with colleagues and friends in a unique setting.

In an effort to keep the cost down and the participation high, NYACP will be subsidizing a portion of the cost for our members. Look at the calendar for registration details. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

The NYACP’s Membership Committee’s Fall  Mentorship Program, led by  Shara Goldfarb and Theresa Ombres, is well underway.

NYACP Mentorship Program. Teresa and Shara have been serving as co-chairs. Being a mentor is a great experience. Serving as a mentor, you will probably learn as much from your students as they from you. They have fresh insights, more contemporary concerns, and help us be more reflective about how we practice. We highly recommend joining the roster of mentors.

If you are a newly-minted collaborative practitioner, this is an invaluable experience for you. You will be very pleasantly surprised at how warm and friendly collaborative practitioners are. Come to a collaborative meeting. We sure have lots of them! We are really different. We wear nametags! We are friendly and inviting. And not so competitive. And care about and enjoy this work. This program is guaranteed to get you better initiated in this work and feel more a part of NYACP – to this 25-year veteran’s mind – the gold standard of collaborative work.

Once a year, in the Spring, mentees and mentors get together, in person, for drinks and small bites. Another good chance to share our experiences…And lot’s of fun!

We want (and need) to have new members join and stay in our organization, to continue to do the good work we are doing with the support and guidance we get from NYACP. For that reason, we have implemented a buddy program. When someone’s application is approved by Membership, they will get an email telling them they have been matched with a Board Member, who will then send an email personally welcoming them to the NYACP, and letting them know that we are available to answer any questions they may have about NYACP’s member benefits and Collaborative Practice.  The Board member will offer to schedule a Zoom meeting for them to meet virtually, be welcoming, and to learn how to navigate the NYACP website and explain all of the membership benefits.  We want new members to feel welcomed and have support and resources from the NYACP so that they can hit the ground running. A new session will begin soon. Please sign up today!

NYACP Collaborative Connection Lunches. The Collaborative Connection Sub-Committee is launching gatherings in Westchester, Long Island and Manhattan to offer an easy way to get to know your collaborative counterparts better with a simple RSVP. These small group (eight-person) meet-ups will offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with collaborative colleagues you might not already know, share experiences and insights, and learn more about one another both personally and professionally. The office sends out invitations for each scheduled meet-up, and the first eight NYACP members to register will reserve a spot for the next gathering at a designated time and location. These lunches offer a great chance to build up your professional and personal network and to find support and encouragement in helping families who have chosen the collaborative process. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your peers and get more involved in the NYACP.

The 2026 Calendar

2026

JANUARY             Westchester

FEBRUARY          New York City

MARCH                 Long Island (West)

APRIL                   Westchester

MAY                       New York City

JUNE                      Long Island (East End)

JULY                       BREAK

AUGUST               BREAK

SEPTEMBER       Westchester

OCTOBER            New York City

NOVEMBER        Long Island (West)

DECEMBER         BREAK 

Long Island  - Organized by Jacqueline Caputo

On November 18th, 2025, Nancy Kaye, Jackie Caputo and Tracy Hawkes enjoyed lunch at City Cellar in Westbury.  Also in attendance was mental health professional, Melissa Dukofsky, who recently completed the mediation training and aspires to become a member once she has taken the upcoming collaborative training.  Great company and great conversation!

Westchester - Organized by Michelle Lewis 

On January 8th, , 2026, Alan Dubow, Adam Halper, Andrea Friedman, Sloan Post (therapist training in collaborative and now coming to Feb 4 event!!!), and Michelle Lewis met inWestchester at Greca Estiatorio in White Plains. A good ‘connection” was made by all!

NYC - To be organized by Randy Heller in February.  Watchout for details!

A New Committee in Development to Provide Access to Collaborative Practice for as many people as possible. We need you! 

Catherine Canade’, Esq., and Melissa Goodstein, Esq.  are co- chairing the NYACP Collaborative Flat Fee Working Group, and our first meeting was on January 16th, 2026. We had a great turnout! Participants of this first meeting had either worked on a streamlined collaborative case or had expressed an interest in the model. All are welcome to attend these meetings to share their experiences or interest in the model. Let the co-chairs know if you are interested. 

RECENT EVENTS

NYACP GALA

The NYACP Gala was a spectacular event, celebrating all of the pioneers who 25 years ago made their vision of creating this organization and spreading the word about Collaborative Practice a reality throughout New York state. We all ate, drank, and “were very merry”, as we danced the night away to the sound of Y NOT? with Melissa Goodstein’s husband Steve Goodstein. Special thanks go out to the Gala Committee, who worked diligently and continuously to make this event a success. Additional gratitude to Sarah Sheehan, our Executive Director,  Sarah Sheehan who worked tirelessly to guide and support the committee and ensure every detail was handled. This event could not have happened without her!

NYACP Founders 
Adam Berner
Barry Berkman
Amy Carron Day
Marc Fleisher
Rachel Green
June Jacobson
Neil E. Kozek
MaryEllen Linnehan
Teresa Ombres
Elizabeth Reingold

NYACP Past Presidents
Ellen Jancko-Baken (Current)
Margaret Clark
Melissa Goodstein
Neil E. Kozek
MaryEllen Linnehan
Katherine Miller
Kenneth Novenstern
Elizabeth Reingold
David Rosoff
Andrea Vacca

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On behalf of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors and to all who placed ads in the 25th Anniversary Gala journal and took out sponsorships. Your support was instrumental in making our celebration at Brae Burn Country Club on December 4, 2025, such a memorable and inspiring evening.

Thank you for helping us honor 25 years of dedication to the collaborative process. Your contributions not only enhanced the event but also demonstrated your meaningful commitment to NYACP’s mission and to the families we serve.

We hope you had the opportunity during dinner to browse the gala journal. Your partnership strengthens our community and allows us to continue offering valuable programs, training, and resources to collaborative professionals in New York.

Thank you again for your generosity and for celebrating this milestone with us. We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to working together in the year ahead.

With appreciation,

Ellen Jancko-Baken
President, New York Association of Collaborative Professionals

UPCOMING EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES

Confidentiality on Collaborative Teams - DON’T MISS THIS VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION!

January 30th, 12-1 p.m. 

Through real-world examples and thoughtful discussion, this program will examine how different disciplines understand confidentiality, how those perspectives can clash on a collaborative team, and how to navigate those moments ethically and effectively. Participants will leave with greater clarity on professional roles, informed consent, communication boundaries, and best practices for maintaining trust, both within the team and clients

Elana Katz LCSW is a practicing family therapist, mediator and family specialist, and one of the first therapists in New York to join NYACP. She was also one of the first therapists in New York to become certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy, an approach that helps clients understand and change their patterns in key relationships. Now a certified EFT Trainer, Elana also applies her knowledge of relationships to help clients intercept difficult patterns in the divorce process. She presents nationally and internationally, and her private practice is in Manhattan.

Ken Novenstern ESQ, a partner at Fredman Baken & Novenstern, LLP in Westchester County, NY, has been practicing matrimonial law for over 37 years. The firm’s philosophy is that effective representation must reflect the unique nature of each client’s circumstances. To that end Ken Novenstern has expanded his areas of expertise beyond litigation, to mediation and collaborative law since 2004. Having seen the impact of actively litigated matters on people’s lives and finances, he has gained a greater appreciation for the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods in the matrimonial field.

March 29, 2026 - The Escape Game - See the NYACP website for additional registration information

Split Viewing – Coming to NYACP in the Spring 2026
Split is a documentary that was developed many years ago exploring the lived experiences of children whose parents were divorcing. 10 years later they were interviewed again. How are they doing, what did they need, were their needs met, how would you, as Collaborative professionals bring their voices into the room? 

SPLIT PRESENTATION WITH AN IN-PERSON APPEARANCE BY ELLEN BRUNO - PRODUCER

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the impact of divorce through the eyes of the children. This is a wonderful presentation that will provide you with tremendous insight for yourselves as professionals and to share with your divorcing parents. Ellen Bruno (Director) will be available via Zoom, along with Christine McGee , Randy Heller, and Ellen Jancko-Baken for an interactive panel discussion. Date and time TBD. Please watch out for future announcements.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

See the NYACP website for additional information on our upcoming InterdisciplinaryCollaborative Training

If you kow of any Law, or Graduate students in Mental Health or Business who show an interest in Collaborative Practice process who want to be trained, and ultimately add to our next generation of professional members of our organization, the Kevin Scudder Higher Education Scholarship Fund is in place to financially support their training. Please send inquiries to Randy Heller at [email protected]

The NYACP Newsletter is intended to inform you not only about what is going on in your organization. It is an invitation and opportunity for our members to get involved as you strengthen your Collaborative relationships and your practice. Please send information about you, your practice, your activities, and your success to Randy Heller.

[email protected]