The UCCES is a uniform custody evaluation procedure for mental health professionals.

• Provides a comprehensive, systematic method for gathering data and organizing the information necessary to determine a child’s best interest.
• Allows you to present relevant data in an organized and logical manner and to write logical evaluation reports.
• Administrative and Data Forms include an initial referral form, forms to record case contacts and notes, consent and authorization forms, a suitability for joint custody form, and a summary chart.
• Parent Forms include a family and personal history questionnaire, interview and observation forms, a parenting abilities checklist, and an explanation of custody procedures for parents and attorneys.
• Child Forms include interview forms, an abuse/neglect checklist, forms to describe a child’s adjustment to home and community, and a parent-child “goodness of fit” observation form and checklist.

Twenty-five forms are organized into three categories

1) Administrative and Data Forms—Each of these 10 forms should be completed for each custody evaluation.

• UCCES Checklist (This form contains a list of all the steps involved in completing a UCCES evaluation. It serves as a time-management and quality control tool; helps to organize, manage, and record all major events; documents all procedures; and verifies that all important steps were taken.
• Initial Referral Form (This form provides a convenient and systematic way to maintain records of all parties and issues as well as the billing schedule.)
• Chronological Record of all Case Contacts Form
• Case Notes Form
• Consent for Psychological Services to Child(ren) Form
• Authorization to Release Information Form
• Suitability for Joint Custody Checklist
• Collateral Interview Form
• Consent for Evaluation of Minor(s) Form
• UCCES Summary Chart (for noting significant entries from other completed forms)

2) Parent Forms—Each of these nine forms should be completed for each parent.

• Parent's Family/Personal History Questionnaire
• Parent Interview Form
• Parenting Abilities Checklist
• Suitability for Joint Custody Interview
• Analysis of Response Validity Checklist
• Behavioral Observations of Parent-Child Interaction Form
• Home Visit Observation Form
• Agreement Between Parent and Evaluator Form
• Explanation of Custody Evaluation Procedures for Parents and Attorneys

3) Child Forms—These six forms should be completed for each child.

• Child History Questionnaire (one for each parent to complete)
• Child Interview Form
• Child Abuse Interview Form
• Abuse/Neglect Checklist
• Child's Adjustment to Home and Community Checklist
• Parent-Child Goodness of Fit Observation Form and Checklist

The Manual presents an overview of child custody evaluation research, discusses the requirements for a comprehensive custody evaluation, describes each of the 25 forms, and provides helpful suggestions for testifying as an expert witness.

Note: Individual UCCES forms are available at $3.50 each for reordering purposes. Please call 1.800.331.8378 for details.