By: Laura Ginsberg

The 25th Judicial Circuit now offers a new parent education program which will begin January 1, 2009.

The new program, called Focus on Kids, will be administered by the University of Missouri Extension. It's purpose is to teach parents going through a separation, divorce or custody modification ways to cope with their legal problems without negatively affecting their children.

"The main purpose of Focus on Kids is to help parents learn how to nurture and support their children during and after a separation or divorce," said University of Missouri Extension Human Development and Family Studies Specialist Sarah Traub, who will be teaching the program in Phelps and Pulaski counties. "The parents are making huge changes in their lives and are going through a lot, and it affects children the same way."

Focus on Kids will replace the circuit's current parent education program, Children's First, which is administered by the South East Missouri Community Treatment Center. The change was made at the recommendation of a seven-member Parent Education Committee, which was asked by the court to review the circuit's current program and possible alternatives.

"I think that Focus on Kids is a more current program," said Parenting Education Committee member Emily Woodward, an attorney with the Rolla law firm Thomas, Birdsong, Mills & McBride. "At times we can all lose sight of what is in the best interest of our children, and this program helps put the focus on handling parenting in a way that's appropriate for the children and helps ease them through the legal process as painlessly as possible."

As part of the 25th Judicial Circuit's unified family court program, parents seeking a legal separation, divorce or custody modification must participate in a two-and-a-half hour Focus on Kids session within 60 days of filing with the court. The circuit also will offer an online course called Children in The Middle for parents unable to attend a Focus on Kids session.

Both programs will offer information and resources to help parents minimize the negative affects their legal situations can have on their children.

"Unfortunately, people involved in a divorce or separation have a lot of emotions involved and a lot of bad feelings toward one another," said Parenting Education Committee member Terry Daley Schwartze, prosecuting attorney for Maries County. "These feelings spread throughout the court proceedings and their lives. Parents really need to know that their children are being affected by their emotional reaction and their anger.".

Traub said Focus on Kids will use a video that portrays several true-to-life situations that can occur in families going through a legal situation. Examples of behaviors that can be detrimental to children include belittling another parent in front of them, involving them in financial matters or using them as a go-between to communicate with another parent.

"We think it's a big help to provide education to parents so that they can realize these things are detrimental," Schwartze said.

Focus on Kids also offers parents a list of books and other helpful literature, as well as contact information for agencies that can provide additional help, such as counseling.

A flat fee of $25 will be charged for Focus on Kids sessions, and Children in the Middle will cost $45. The court plans to subsidize the costs of the programs for clients certified as indigent.

Focus on Kids sessions will be held the first Thursday and second Tuesday of the month in Pulaski County at the Pulaski County Courthouse in Waynesville. Sessions in Phelps County will be held at the Phelps County Courthouse in Rolla on the third Thursday and fourth Tuesday of the month. Sessions held in Texas County will be held at the University of Missouri Extension office in Houston and will be taught by Cammie Younger, nutrition and heath specialist with the UM Extension. Dates for Texas County sessions have yet to be determined. All sessions will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Parents must contact the University of Missouri Extension office in the county in which they wish to attend to register and pay for classes. Parents may attend sessions in any county, regardless of where they reside. For the Phelps County UM Extension Office call 573-458-6260. To reach the Pulaski County UM Extension Office call 573-774-6177. To contact the UM Extension Office in Texas County call 417-967-4545.

For more information on Focus on Kids, Children in the Middle and other services provided by the 25th Judicial Circuit's family court program, please visit www.familycourt.us. Information also can be found at the circuit clerks' offices in Phelps, Pulaski, Texas and Maries counties.