LEWISTON – The Maine chapter of the Children’s Rights Council will meet 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Meadowview Retirement Community function hall.

Based in Washington, D.C., CRC is a nonprofit gender-neutral group that works to assure children of a meaningful relationship with both parents – regardless of marital status – and with extended family.

CRC advocates a presumption of shared parenting in divorce custody orders and works to transform the typical adversarial divorce process into one of conciliation and mediation.

The group believes in financial, emotional and physical child support that is balanced and comprehensive; favors parenting education and school-based programs for at-risk children; and holds that two parents and the kinship network are the best first line of defense against poverty.

Organized last year, Maine’s chapter provides resources, information and referrals for single and married parents going through a divorce or custody issue.

Meeting every other month at places throughout the state, the group has a board of directors and 25 members from all over Maine.

Participants on Sunday will discuss future areas of concentration as well as future legislation, according to assistant director Kevin Juneau of South Portland.

For more information call 791-7823; or, for directions, 782-6996. People aren’t obliged to call beforehand.

The CRC Web site is www.gocrc.com.