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Separating, Divorced, Unmarried Parent Education Program in Putnam
The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) has announced the next dates for its parenting education program, "Parents Apart: Helping Children Cope with Separation and Divorce." The program is designed for parents who are involved in divorce, separation, or have never lived together but share a child. First piloted in 1993 at DRC's Orange County office, as P.E.A.C.E. (Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness), Parents Apart is now being offered in the agency's 4-county area of Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster. Designed to provide parents with tools for healthier parenting during the reorganization of their family, Parents Apart is an important program focusing on the best interests of the child. Putnam DRC Agency Director Cari Young says that "separation of a family can be a difficult time for everyone involved. But for the children, the difficulty can be even more problematic."
In Putnam, the DRC has scheduled its 2-class series: on May 29 and June 5, Sept. 11 and 18, Oct. 16 and 23, Dec. 4 and 11. (All classes are from 6pm to 9pm. To receive a certificate, one must attend both classes in each set.)
The NYS Parent Education and Awareness Program (PEAP), begun by NYS Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye and now chaired by Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Frazee, has certified the DRC as a parent education program provider- one of 50 in all 62 counties of NYS. (PEAP gained national attention recently when Darlene Rodriguez of WNBC-News did a segment on it.) State judges have the authority to mandate that parents involved in custody or visitation disputes attend these certified programs. Referrals can also be made by other agencies; and parents can always self-refer. (Sensitivity is shown to domestic violence concerns.)
The program provides 6 hours of education- based on curriculum developed by the county's Cornell Cooperative Extension- focusing on Parenting & Child Well-Being, as well as an Overview of the Legal Process. Parents learn to better understand the effects of separation on their children, as well as how to make a new family situation easier for themselves and their offspring.
Parents who attend these classes tell us how beneficial they are. Their comments include: "I will pay for my exwife to attend the class." "It helped me realize that I'm not alone." "I appreciate being able to ask questions and talk indepth with the instructors." "Thank you for helping me to learn more about myself and how to enjoy time with my children, by communicating more effectively." "I would recommend this program to any family apart." "These classes should be mandated as soon as separation starts."
The DRC helps individuals and organizations effectively and constructively manage conflict through the process of mediation. For further information on Parents Apart or mediation services, please contact Arli Epton at (845) 225-9555.
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