PROPOSAL FOR A PILOT EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR DIVORCING AND SEPARATING PARENTS

• Published date: 01 January 1996
• Author: Ingrid Slezak,Amy Swift
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.174-1617.1996.tb00404.x
• Date: 01 January 1996

PROPOSAL FOR A PILOT EDUCATION PROGRAM

FOR

DIVORCING AND SEPARATING PARENTS

Ingrid Slezak and Amy Swift

This article presents the proposal made to the Clackamas County Board

of

Commissioners

outlining the rationale for the Clackamas County Parent Education Program, including a

proposed budget and sources

of

income.

Clackamas County Family Court Services proposes that the circuit court

adopt apilot education program for all divorcing and separating parents with

children under age

18.

We will call it Parents Helping Children Cope With

Divorce.

The purpose of the program is to educate parents about the impact of

separation and divorce on children. It will include information on the adjust-

ment of children of different ages to parental separation, the effect of parental

conduct and conflict on children, dispute resolution and conflict management

techniques, cooperative parenting, and information about parenting plans.

The court has the authority to establish a parent education program

as

a

pilot program in this county under its inherent powers. Enabling legislation

has also been passed by the legislature in

HB

3

196

as

recommended by the

Oregon Task Force of Family Law. The legislation provides that each circuit

court may establish an education program designed to inform parents about

the impact of family restructuring on children when the parent is a named

party in litigation incident to dissolution, legal separation, paternity,

or

postdecree custody and visitation matters. This provision is modeled on

several successful ventures in other states.

GOALS

AND

OBJECTIVES

Generally, two parents working together are more likely to provide the

time, emotional commitment, and financial resources that are necessary to

effectively raise a child.

Too

often divorce and separation leave

a

child with

one parent who is shut out,

or

with only one involved parent.

Too

often

children are emotionally compromised by the escalating bitterness and anger

their parents show.

As

aresult, children’s sense of security is shattered, and

they have negative, not positive, models for future relationships.

FAMILY AND CONCILIATIONCOURTS REVIEW,

Vol.

34No.

1,

January

1996

13CL139

0

1996

Sage

Publications,

Inc.

130