Referred to: The Public Health and Social Services Committee (Chairman Lopez and

Legislators Allen, Belfiglio, Litts and Provenzano)

Legislator Mary Wawro offers the following:

WHEREAS, parental alienation occurs when a conflicted family dynamic

forces a child to choose sides and changes a previously good relationship with a now

rejected parent; and

WHEREAS, the act of parental alienation can result in a child becoming

focused on the criticisms of the rejected parent, expressing hatred toward the rejected

parent and/or their side of the family, refusing to spend time, visit or communicate

with the rejected parent, holding negative beliefs about the rejected parent that are

inconsequential, exaggerated, or unfounded in reality, or lacking the capacity to feel

guilty about inconsiderate or cruel behaviors toward the rejected parent; and

WHEREAS, experts acknowledge frequent and regular contact with both

parents is ideal for healthy growth and development of all children; and

WHEREAS, judicial and human service agencies should take expeditious

action to assess and protect the needs of children to avoid child’s loss of contact with

a parent due to parental alienation; and

WHEREAS, community awareness and education can provide the power to

end the emotional abuse of children that are caught in the crossfire of parents that

they love; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature hereby proclaims Saturday,

April 25, 2015 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day in Ulster County and urges all

agencies and residents of Ulster County to assist in raising the awareness that

children maintain the right and ability to love and be loved by both parents; and, be it

further

RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature shall forward

copies of this resolution to the Ulster County Family Court Judges, the

Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Social Services, the

Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Health and Mental Health, the

Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Ulster County, the

Executive Director of the Ulster County Dispute Resolution Center as well as

relevant human service agencies serving Ulster County families effected by parental

conflict, 

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: 22 NOES: 0

(Absent: Legislator Wishnick)

Passed Committee: Public Health and Social Services Committee on April 6, 2015

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE

STATE OF NEW YORK

 ss:

COUNTY OF ULSTER

I, the undersigned Clerk of the Legislature of the County of Ulster, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is

the original resolution adopted by the Ulster County Legislature on the 21st Day of April in the year Two Thousand and

Fifteen, and said resolution shall remain on file in the office of said clerk.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the County of Ulster this 23rd Day of April in

the year Two Thousand and Fifteen.

|s| Victoria A. Fabella

Victoria A. Fabella, Clerk

Ulster County Legislature