October Partners Recap: AI, Collaboration & What's Ahead

Dear Reader,

Thank you to everyone who joined our October 23 Hope4Families Strategic Partners Meeting! We had an engaging conversation about emerging technology, the evolving needs of families navigating conflict and the opportunities we have to strengthen our work through collaboration.

October Partner Spotlight: Sergey Bakaev, Co-Founder & CEO of Lovon

Sergey introduced us to Lovon, a voice-based AI emotional support app designed for individuals navigating separation, divorce and co-parenting.

Through a live demonstration, we explored how conversational AI can provide personalized emotional support around the clock, particularly during those difficult moments when professional support may not be immediately available.

Our discussion raised several important considerations:

• Accessibility: Could affordable, 24/7 emotional support help fill gaps between professional appointments?
• Personalization: How might AI support be adapted to different family circumstances and professional services?
• Safety and accountability: What safeguards, privacy protections and crisis-response protocols are necessary?
• Professional collaboration: Could tools like Lovon complement the work of mediators, therapists, parenting educators, coaches and other family-serving professionals?

I especially appreciated the thoughtful questions about confidentiality, professional responsibilities and the appropriate boundaries of AI support. These are conversations worth continuing as technology becomes increasingly integrated into family services.

An Opportunity for Our Strategic Partners

Sergey also introduced Lovon's partnership program, offering participating professionals and organizations customized referral opportunities, family discounts and recurring revenue sharing.

Kids Need Both families can explore Lovon through our dedicated page:

​https://thelovon.app/kidsneedboth​

Partners interested in establishing their own referral arrangement are encouraged to connect with Sergey to discuss the possibilities.

Around the Alliance: Partner Updates & Opportunities

Our partners continue to create opportunities for collaboration across professions and communities.

• Larry DeMarco shared his new role as Acting Executive Director of the International Council for Men and Boys and expressed interest in introducing Lovon to his network.
• Jill Kaufman invited partners to explore Divorce Network Pro, her professional directory connecting families with divorce-related services.
• John Hamel shared upcoming free caregiver summit sessions on November 5 (English) and November 12 (Spanish). Additional event details will be shared as available.
• Chris Felder contributed important questions about legal responsibilities and safeguards surrounding AI-based family support.

These conversations remind me why our Alliance matters. Each of us brings a different perspective, network and set of resources. When we share them, we expand what becomes possible for the families we serve.

Coming in December: Dawn McCarty Takes the Spotlight!

Please save Friday, December 18, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET for our next Hope4Families Strategic Partners Meeting.

Our December Spotlight will feature Dawn McCarty, who recently traveled to Australia to participate in the PASG 2026 Conference.

Dawn will share her conference experience, important conversations, new professional connections and insights that may open additional opportunities for collaboration within our Alliance.

I'm particularly looking forward to hearing what she discovered and how we can build bridges with the international community of professionals working to strengthen family relationships.

Keep the Collaboration Going

Have an upcoming conference, webinar, training, support group or community event?

Please share it with us so we can help promote it through the Hope4Families Events Calendar:

​https://hope4families.net/event-calendar/​

Thank you for the work you do and for being part of a community committed to sharing ideas, strengthening professional relationships and improving outcomes for families.

I look forward to seeing you in December!

Warmly,

Danica Dockery, M.Ed.​
Executive Director, Kids Need Both, Inc.
Managing Partner, Hope4Families Strategic Partners Alliance