About Francine R. Maltz
Francine R. Maltz has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist for over 33 years, with 29 years of experience as a clinical supervisor. Her career in family court services and child welfare has given her a unique perspective on the complex dynamics involved in custody disputes.
She served as a supervisor for Child Protective Services for 10 years, testifying in high-profile contested cases in Juvenile Dependency court. For 5 years, she directed, supervised, and supported Child Custody Recommending Counselors for San Bernardino County, where she trained and implemented Child Custody Recommending Counseling services and conducted mediation.
She also delivered and directed counseling program services for a Domestic Violence organization, serving over 300+ clients annually for 10 years. This combination of experience—in child welfare, family court, domestic violence, and trauma—informs her thorough, impartial approach to child custody evaluations.
Credentials & Qualifications
Education
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University, April 1989
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Child Development)
State University of New York at Oswego, May 1987
Certificate of Outstanding Academic Achievement
License
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
License #MFT 29634
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Licensed July 1992
Certifications
Child Custody Evaluator (CCE)
40-hour certified training, Steve Frankel Group, March 2022
Basic Mediation/Evaluation Training
Administrative Office of the Courts, July 2002
Domestic Violence 40-hour Certification
Professional Memberships
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Judicial Council of California
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)
Philosophy & Approach
My role as a Child Custody Evaluator is to provide the court with an objective, thorough assessment that focuses on the best interests of the child. I approach each case with professionalism, respect for all parties, and a commitment to fairness.
I believe that children deserve decisions made with careful consideration of their safety, wellbeing, and developmental needs. My evaluations are conducted with integrity, relying on established methodologies, comprehensive interviews and observations, and a deep understanding of family dynamics, trauma, and child development.
Professional Experience
My background includes:
- Family Court Services: Supervisor at San Bernardino Superior Court Family Court Services; trained and implemented Child Custody Recommending Counseling; conducted mediation; wrote evaluations for the court in high-profile cases
- Child Welfare: Ten years as a supervisor for Child Protective Services; roles included Training Unit Supervisor, Unit Supervisor, Child Abuse Hotline Supervisor, and Social Service Practitioner; specialized in forensic interviewing of child sexual abuse victims
- Domestic Violence: Director of Counseling Services at House of Ruth; 40-hour DV certification; experience with co-occurring disorders and trauma-informed treatment
- Clinical Supervision: 29 years supervising licensed and pre-licensed clinicians across multiple settings
- Education: Adjunct Professor at Brandman University, teaching clinical skills, couples counseling, domestic violence, ethics, and practicum courses