Services for Parents at the Kids First Center
Even well intentioned, caring parents
may not be aware of how their children
can be scarred by the traumatic and emotional effects of
their separation
and divorce. The Kids First Center offers a series of programs
to provide practical information and emotional support to
parents, regardless of the nature of their past relationship
or sexual orientation.
KIDS FIRST PROGRAM
The Kids First Program is a four-hour workshop for parents
designed to help address problems and reduce the negative
effects of separation and divorce on your children. You
will learn about:
- Children's needs as marital and family roles change
- The effects of and children's reactions to separation and divorce
- How to talk with children about the changes that are occurring
- Making decisions about parenting arrangements
- Dealing with conflict without involving children
- Helping children adjust to differences between households
Both parents are encouraged to attend as early in the
separation and divorce process as possible. You must pre-register.
View the Schedule.
KIDS FIRST PROGRAM FOR WOMEN
In addition to the Kids First Program content listed above,
this six-hour program provides women with information about
how to deal with:
- Physical, emotional and verbal abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Harassment and safety planning
View
the Schedule.
NEXT
STEP PROGRAM: PUTTING CONFLICT ASIDE
This is a four-week psycho-education program for separated
and divorced parents. Meeting in small group sessions facilitated
by two mental health professionals.
Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is encouraged.
View the Schedule.
- Conflict resolution tools
- Communication skills appropriate to
children's changing needs
- Parenting arrangements and how to
handle new relationships
- Effective ways to avert high conflict
co-parenting relationships
KIDS FIRST PROGRAM FOR STEPPARENTS
The Kids First Program for Stepparents is a four-hour workshop
designed to help people in stepfamilies understand the normal
difficulties experienced by each person in the new family,
including those of their children. Through handouts, overheads,
videos, demonstrations and discussion, participants will
learn ways to ease the process so that each person will
get their needs met while growing to feel comfortable in
their new roles and relationships. Prior attendance at the
Kids First Program is helpful but not required. View
the Schedule.
DADS' GROUP
The Separation, Divorce and Dads group meets at the Center
on the first Tuesday of each month. This is a support group
for men who are already divorced, in the process of divorcing,
or who have never been married. It will give you an opportunity
to discuss issues of your choosing, such as coping with
loss, dealing with the stages of divorce and co-parenting
arrangements. Registration is not necessary but you should
call the Center beforehand. View
the Schedule.
MOMS'
GROUP
Separation, Divorce and Moms is a support group for women
experiencing the impact of separation and divorce on their
families. The group meets over a period of six weeks. It
is designed for women who are separating, divorcing or divorced,
or who were never married. You will have an opportunity
to share experiences, learn from each other and feel a sense
of community with women in similar situations. View
the Schedule.
KIDS
FIRST PROGRAM FOR PARENTS IN HIGH CONFLICT
This intensive nine-week course is designed to build co-parenting
skills for parents who are in high-conflict situations,
either during separation and divorce or post-divorce. Psycho-educational
programs such as this are predicated on the understanding
that conflict resolution is about changing behaviors and
actions, and not about changing feelings. Parents attending
this course must be separated or divorced from each other,
and will be assigned together into a 9-week session.
Participation must be court-ordered by a judge or magistrate.
article
in AFCC Newsletter Fall 2006
|
