Saturday, January 23, 1999
Divorce program mandatory
Classes ease transition for kids age 5-16
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Families who file for divorce in Boone and Gallatin counties will now get help in dealing with the transition.
Family Court Judge Linda Rae Bramlage has mandated that all couples with children between ages 5 and 16 who file for divorce after Jan. 1 attend a divorce education pro gram.
“I don't think in this county we have had anything mandated like this,” the judge said. “Divorce is psychologically and emotionally trying for children. I hope this program will help parents focus more attention on their children.”
Both parents and children must attend a six-hour session within 90 days after filing for divorce.
“If they don't they can be held in contempt,” said Kim Adams, Boone/Gallatin Family Court administrator.
The 90-day period is to ensure that neither parent uses the excuse of not attend ing classes to hold up divorce proceedings.
A certificate stating that the family has completed the program must be filed with the court before a divorce can become final.
The program, called Families in Transition, was developed by Joe H. Brown, a professor of family therapy in the Kent school of social work at the University of Louisville.
The program has been used in Jefferson County since 1992, where more than 4,000 families have participated.
“About 94 percent of parents who participate rate it positively,” Dr. Brown said.
The program is designed to help children answer questions like “Why does divorce happen?” “Was I to blame?” and “How will this affect me?” The program also addresses loyalty conflicts and how not to deny feelings.
“We help children in three ways,” Dr. Brown said. “We help them understand their feelings and some misperceptions about divorce. We also try to help them understand their anger and teach them constructive ways of expressing that. And we try to help them to cope better.
“We tell them that some problems you have control over and some you don't.”
Goals of the program include reducing a child's anxiety, aggression, depression and other behavioral problems related to divorce.
Parents and children attend separate sessions. The six hours are generally broken down into two three-hour sessions or three two-hour sessions.
There is a $50 fee per parent to attend the program, which is paid directly to the facilitator. Parents must also find their own facilitator and complete the program with the one they started with.
Organizations that will be providing facilitators are: Family Service of Northern Kentucky, Modlin Counseling Services, North Key Community Care, St. Elizabeth Behavioral Center, and Smith and Toennis.
Mary Lou Cambron, a family court support worker in Jefferson County, said she has seen how well the program works.
“The message is to not put kids in the middle of their divorce.” she said.
The Boone/Gallatin Family Court was one of three created statewide in 1998. It is the first of the three to adopt the divorce program.
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