Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC)
Effective for all CCRC referral orders issued on or after June 15, 2026, all CCRC appointments shall be conducted remotely. Please see the Administrative Notice for changes and requirements.
Focusing on Children's Needs
When parents separate or divorce, decisions need to be made about where the children will live and how they will be cared for. These are important decisions and sometimes are the most difficult. California law states that when parents cannot reach an agreement, they must first meet with a professional mediator (Child Custody Recommending Counselor) before they can go to court.
Goals of Child Custody Recommending Counseling:
- To help parents create a parenting plan that is in the best interests of their child(ren).
- To help parents develop a parenting plan that enables their child(ren) to have contact with both of them, in ways that are appropriate for the safety and wellbeing of the child(ren).
- To help parents learn ways to manage any anger or resentment between them.
- To make recommendations to the parents and the Court, when the parties are unable to reach an agreement, that serve the best interests of the child(ren).
CCRC Process
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Referral to CCRC
The date and time for child custody recommending counseling will be set by the Court. When your CCRC appointment is scheduled, you will be given a questionnaire requesting information about you, your children, your concerns, your proposals, and other pertinent information. You must fill out this questionnaire and turn it in before the CCRC appointment, as specified on the referral order.
If you want to meet separately with the Child Custody Recommending Counselor, you may request this at the Clerk’s Office or from the Child Custody Recommending Counselor.
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CCRC Appointment Registration
Registration is required for all CCRC referral orders issued on or after June 15, 2026, where CCRC appointments shall be conducted remotely. In-person CCRC appointments, as noted on the referral order, do not require registration.
Each party shall register for the online CCRC appointment through the Court’s remote appearance platform, Unicorn Digital Courtroom (UDC), no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment time above. Registration will open 14 days prior to the scheduled appointment.
Failure to register timely and/or appear as scheduled shall result in cancellation of the CCRC appointment, and the Court shall be notified of the failure to appear.
The UDC registration link is:
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Mandatory Online CCRC Orientation
Each party shall complete a mandatory online CCRC orientation before the scheduled CCRC appointment.
The online CCRC orientation that will explain terms used in court and in the CCRC appointment. Follow the prompts to complete Sections 2.1 through 2.6 in either English or Spanish. The orientation is available at:
Additional Information & Resources
CCRC is problem solving and fact finding, not therapy. Your disagreement is seen as a problem to solve, not as a fight. The Child Custody Recommending Counselor lets you make your own decisions if possible. In CCRC, you can come up with your own personal contract on how you will care for your child(ren). The legal term for this personal contract is an agreement or stipulation. It can also be called a “parenting plan” or a “parenting agreement.” The Child Custody Recommending Counselor will write up your agreement and the judge will sign it at your court date. If you do not agree, the Child Custody Recommending Counselor will ask questions using a fact-gathering interview style to gain knowledge and information about concerns each parent raises. Your child(ren) may be interviewed later, at the discretion of the Child Custody Recommending Counselor. The Child Custody Recommending Counselor will then write a report with recommendations about how you should share your child(ren).
The Child Custody Recommending Counselor meets with and listens to both parents, asks questions to gain additional information about the family, then works with you to come up with a plan you can both agree is best for your child(ren). The Child Custody Recommending Counselor’s job is to be impartial, keep things fair, help look at different options, help you come up with a calendar for times with your child(ren), and support you in your efforts. If you do not agree on a plan, the Child Custody Recommending Counselor will ask questions to make sure all parental concerns are addressed and make recommendations that are in the children’s best interest. Recommendations may include services for the parents and/or children to engage in.
- Each parent is treated with respect and has an equal chance to explain their viewpoint and concerns.
- Each parent listens to the other and tries to find realistic solutions.
- Each parent is asked to put the child(ren) first and focus on what the child(ren) needs and can handle.
- Each parent is asked to show respect for the other and to recognize that their child(ren) has a right to a relationship with each of them.
- Hitting, pushing, shoving, and threats of any type are not allowed. CCRC is to be a safe place for both parents.
- The Child Custody Recommending Counselor’s job is to see that these rules are followed.
- Referrals listed are for informational purposes only and are not endorsements of the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado. Please contact the agencies for current information and fees: Custody and Parenting Services List.
- For further information, including a free parent education course, and additional resources to help families understand the divorce and separation process, please see the link(s) below:
Pursuant to Local Rule 8.13.00, all complaints raised in connection with the evaluation procedure shall be submitted in writing to the Court. A complaint about a Child Custody Recommending Counselor may be submitted by letter to the Court Executive Officer with proof of service of a copy to all other counsel and self-represented parties. The complaint must be submitted within 30 days of the child custody recommending counseling session. The Court Executive Officer, or their designee, will conduct an investigation of the matter, which may include consultation with the Child Custody Recommending Counselor, and shall respond to the complaint in writing to all parties within 30 days.