Membership Requirements - Montana Collaborative Professionals
Resources & Benefits for joining Montana Collaborative Professionals
- Connection with other local professionals; 
- Photo, Bio and Contact link added to the Montana Collaborative Professionals page 
- Discount to membership of IACP as part of the Whole Group membership 
- Public education materials 
- Sample documents such as participation agreements, case road maps, and documents for the process 
- Mentoring and/or case consultation available 
Attorney Requirements & Application
Basic Requirements:
- JD/Licensure/Membership in good standing with the Montana Bar Association 
- Background and experience with Family Law in Montana 
- Membership fee for professionals of $125 annually 
Required Training:
- Completion of an Introductory Collaborative Practice Training or an Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training that meets the Requirements of the IACP Minimum Standards. 
- Within one year of membership, at least one thirty (30) hour training in client-centered facilitative conflict resolution, of the kind typically taught in mediation training (interest-based, narrative, or transformative mediation programs) 
Mental Health Professional Requirements & Application
Basic Requirements:
Mental Health professional license in good standing in one of the following:
- LCSW [ Licensed Clinical Social Worker] 
- SW [ Registered Social Worker] 
- LMFT [Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist] 
- Licensed Psychologist 
- LCPC [Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor] 
- or such other equivalent license in Montana that requires an advanced degree in a recognized clinical mental health field, requires continuing education, and is regulated by a governing body under a code of ethics. 
- Membership fee for professionals of $125 annually 
Background, Education and Experience in:
- Family systems theory 
- Individual and family life cycle and development 
- Assessment of individual and family strengths 
- Assessment and challenges of family dynamics in separation and divorce 
- Challenges of restructuring families after separation 
For child specialists: expertise in child development, clinical experience with a specialty focus on children and an in-depth understanding of children’s unique issues in divorce
Required Training:
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training that meets the requirements of IACP Minimum Standards for Introductory Collaborative Practice Trainings and Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Trainings. 
- 30-hour Mediation Requirement within 1 year of membership. Recommended that it has a focus on family law. 
- MCP Family Law Primer - A minimum of three hours aimed at giving the mental health professional a basic understanding of family law in his/her own jurisdiction 
Financial Professional Requirements & Application
Basic Requirements:
Professional license or designation in good standing in one of the following:
- CFP [Certified Financial Planner] 
- CMA [ Certified Management Accountant] 
- CPA [ Certified Public Accountant] 
- CGA [Certified General Accountant] 
- CA [Chartered Accountant] 
- ChFC [ Chartered Financial Consultant] 
- or such other equivalent license or designation in a state, province or country that requires a broad-based financial background and continuing education, and that is regulated by a governing body under a code of ethics. 
- Membership fee for professionals of $125 annually 
Background, education and experience in:
- Financial aspects of divorce 
- Cash management and spending plans 
- Retirement and pension plans 
- Income tax 
- Investments 
- Real estate 
- Insurance 
- Property division 
- Individual and family financial planning concepts 
Required Training:
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training that meets the requirements of IACP Minimum Standards for Introductory Collaborative Practice Trainings and Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Trainings. 
- At least one thirty (30) hour training in client-centered facilitative conflict resolution, of the kind typically taught in mediation training (interest-based, narrative, or transformative mediation programs) completed within one year of membership. 
- Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Recommended 
- MCP Family Law Primer - A minimum of three hours aimed at giving the financial professional a basic understanding of family law in his/her own jurisdiction 
