MO-AFCC September 2026 Lunch and Learn

The Missouri Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (MO-AFCC)
Join the MO-AFCC for this FREE lunch-and-learn session, being offered via Zoom Webinar.
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More Than A Positive Test: Testing, Monitoring, and Treatment in Family Court Substance Use Cases


​Friday, September 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
via Zoom Webinar
Approved 1.8 CLE (+ GAL) and 1.5 CEU
Brought to you in part through the generous support of our sponsors:

About the Session

This training examines the impact of alcohol and substance use on family court cases and explores evidence-based approaches for assessment, testing, monitoring, and intervention.

Participants will learn current options for testing  - what they test for and how to interpret results - as well as explore monitoring options and the scope of interventions for parents working toward sobriety.

The presentation will emphasize options that promote accountability, recovery, and positive outcomes for children and families involved in the court system.

Our Panelists

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​Hon. Brandi L. Miller, 21st Cir. - Commissioner Miller previously worked in private practice in the area of Juvenile and Family Law specializing in child support litigation, divorce, child custody, and visitation. She also previously served as a Municipal Court Judge as well as an attorney for a number of St. Louis County municipalities. Miller is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law, where she received her J.D. in 2004, and of the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
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Ned Presnall, LCSW - Ned is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner and director of Plan Your Recovery. He uses cognitive behavioral therapy and empathic, interpersonal support to help clients understand the sources of their emotional distress and unwanted patterns of behavior. Building on this understanding, he helps clients draw on their strengths to plan and carry out meaningful change. For several years, Ned taught a graduate course on addiction at the Washington University Brown School of Social Work and has served as a trainer for the Addiction Technology Transfer Center, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and the Missouri Institute for Mental Health. He is president of the board of directors of MO Network and a university research collaborator. He advocates for the full integration of addiction treatment into mainstream healthcare.
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Kristen Sparks, JD - Kristen is an attorney and partner at The Center for Family Law. She previously worked at her firm from 2013 to 2017 as a law clerk and associate until becoming a partner in 2024. Kristen concentrates her practices in the areas of family law, probate, orders of protection, adoption, partition, and estate planning. Kristen regularly serves as a Guardian ad litem in St. Louis County. She is also a certified family law Mediator, trained in Collaborative Divorce, and a former Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, grew up in Chesterfield, Missouri, and attended Washington University School of Law. She currently resides in St. Louis City with her husband and two dogs, Lady and Milo. She has been a member of AFCC since 2021.
Agenda
  • 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.  - Introduction of panelists and review of testing options: what they test and their strengths and limitations
  • 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Monitoring and compliance in family court, including parenting, co-parenting, and child safety
  • 1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Open discussion and questions

Learning Objectives

This workshop will:
  • Describe common methods of alcohol and drug testing, including their strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications in family court cases.
  • Explain the role of monitoring and compliance strategies in supporting child safety and positive parenting efforts.
  • Evaluate intervention and treatment options available to families affected by substance use disorders.
  • Describe the role of monitoring in diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders - what it can and cannot tell us

    Register Now - September 2026 Lunch & Learn

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