Program for Agreement and Cooperation in Contested Custody Cases

There are several ways to register for PAC. It takes less than 5 minutes to register. To register, you can:

1. Scan the QR code provided in the courtroom or
2. Click the link on the online intake form
3. Email PAC [at] dcsc.gov to have someone assist you.

After you register for PAC, you will receive a confirmation email. You will also receive a reminder email two days before your seminar.

Adult PAC helps parents:

• understand the impact that conflict between parents can have on children
• learn strategies to improve the relationship between parents or caregivers in raising children
• reduce conflict through the mediation process:
  • Teach tools and strategies to reduce conflict
  • Help improve communication with your coparent
  • Prepare you for the mediation process.

We urge you to put the needs of your children first and think about the parental conflict from your children’s point of view – What do they see? What do they hear? What do they feel?

You are the most important people in your children’s world, and you have an important responsibility to your children. Use the information shared in this seminar to give your children the happy well-adjusted childhood they deserve.

Children’s PAC is designed for

• children of contested custody cases
• ages 6 to 15

During Children’s PAC, your children will:

• play games with other children their age
• learn about conflict
• identify healthy ways to handle stress
• learn effective ways to communicate their thoughts and feelings

Adult PAC:

• adults named in the custody case
• Note:
  • Friends, relatives or significant others are not allowed to attend the seminar with the parent
  • You must be court-ordered and registered prior to attendance.

Children’s PAC:

• children named in the custody case
• children ages 6 to 15
• Note:
  • The judge will determine if your children need to attend
  • Children must be court-ordered and registered prior to attendance.
  • There is no onsite childcare for children not participating in the Children’s PAC seminar.

Adult PAC seminars:

• held two Saturdays per month
  • seminars are from 10am - 1pm.
  • Note: you only need to complete one seminar.
• On the day of your scheduled seminar
  • you must arrive for check in by 9:45am.
  • If you arrive after 10am, you may not be permitted into the seminar.

Children’s PAC seminar details:

• held one Saturday in February, April, June, August, October and December.
  • seminar is from 10am - 1pm.
  • Children will only need to complete one seminar.
• On the day of your children’s seminar:
  • check in by 9:45am.
  • Note: If you are also attending an in person Adult PAC seminar on the same day, please arrive by 9:30am.
  • If children arrive after 10am, they may not be permitted into the seminar.

Adult PAC:

• conducted in a classroom setting – in person and online virtually. Your judge will decide which date and type of seminar you will attend.
• Virtual: ZoomGov (a link will be sent in the registration confirmation email.)
• In Person location:
  • DC Superior Court Moultrie Courthouse
    500 Indiana Ave. NW
    4th floor Suite 4645
    Washington DC 20001

Children’s PAC:

• Held in person.
• Virtual: ZoomGov (a link will be sent in the registration confirmation email.)
• Location:
  • DC Superior Court Moultrie Courthouse
    500 Indiana Ave. NW Suite C-100
    Washington DC 20001

Adult PAC seminars:

• Should be completed before you have your first mediation session.
• Taking PAC before mediation:
  • Helps you discuss parenting topics with your co-parent
  • Aims to resolve those topics without going to trial

Children’s PAC seminars:

• Should be completed as early as possible in the court case
• The Children’s PAC seminar helps:
  • Reduce the negative impact of conflict on your children
  • Provides tools to handle stress in healthy ways
  • Teaches children how to express their thoughts and feelings effectively

Generally, no. Parents are typically much more willing to fully participate and ask questions during the seminar when there is no concern of being seen or heard by the other parent in their case.

If you are participating in an in-person Adult PAC seminar, we recommend that you bring:

• a pen and paper to take notes
• a snack (Vending machines are also available in the courthouse.)
• your court case number (It will have “DRB” in it.)

Note: If your children (ages 6 to 15) are also participating in their Children’s PAC seminar on the same day, you MUST bring a government issued ID. Parents must have a government issued ID to check in and check out your children.

If you are participating virtually in Adult PAC seminars, you will need:

• a pen and paper to take notes
• a safe, private and quiet place to participate
• wi-fi access to connect to Zoomgov
• a laptop or computer with a camera. You must remain on camera during the PAC seminar. (Note: You may use a smartphone or tablet with a camera, but it may limit some of the Zoomgov features.)

If your children are participating in an in-person Children’s PAC seminar, we recommend that you bring:

• a snack (Please avoid anything with nuts.)
• your court case number (It will have “DRB” in it.)
• wi-fi access to connect to Zoomgov
• your government issued ID (Parents must have a government issued ID to check in and check out their children.)

Note: Parents are not permitted to leave the courthouse while their children are in the Children’s PAC seminar.

Each seminar begins promptly at 10am and continues until 1pm. Participants arriving late, may not be permitted into the seminar.

Virtual Adult PAC seminars:

• Access: use the ZoomGov link in your confirmation email.
• The PAC team will:
  • Admit you, take attendance and ensure everyone’s technology is working properly.
• Requirements:
  • Be in a safe, private and quiet space.
  • Remain on camera.
  • Do not attend while driving.

In Person Adult PAC seminars:

• Location:
  • 500 Indiana Ave. NW 4th floor Suite 4645 Washington DC 20001
• Arrival time:
  • No later than 9:45am.
• Upon arrival,
  • Check in and receive your PAC workbook
  • If your children (ages 6 to 15) were also ordered to participate
    • Check them into their seminar first in Suite C-100 with your government issued ID.

In Person Children’s PAC seminars:

• Location:
  • 500 Indiana Ave. NW Suite C-100 Washington DC 20001 no later than 9:45am (9:30am)
• Arrival time:
  • No later than 9:45am.
  • By 9:30am if both parent and child have seminars the same day.
• At pick up,
  • parents will hear a brief presentation from the children.

After the PAC seminar, you will receive your Certificate of Completion. Please keep the Certificate of Completion to show to your judge. You will also receive a short survey which will provide us with feedback on your PAC experience.

Additionally, we encourage you to read through your PAC workbook and use it as a resource to remind you of the tools and strategies discussed during your seminar.

It is important that you mark your calendar and make your best effort to attend your scheduled PAC seminar. If you need to reschedule or you miss your scheduled seminar, please email PAC [at] dcsc.gov. Please understand that many families are referred to PAC each day and the seminars fill quickly. Missing your scheduled PAC seminar could mean that you may have to wait up to four (4) weeks for the next available seminar.

Yes. Your court case will be updated to let your judge know if you and your children attended.

If you have additional questions about PAC, please feel free to email PAC [at] dcsc.gov. We hope to see you soon in an upcoming seminar!