C.H.I.L.D. Court-ordered Parenting Classes

When a relationship ends in separation and divorce, the results are often traumatic for the individuals involved. When children are thrown into the mix, a difficult transition becomes that much harder to navigate. Though most children do well in the long term after the initial effects of their parents’ separation/divorce have subsided, research has shown that high levels of parental conflict during and after separation and divorce is associated with poorer adjustment and longer term problems in children, including into adult life.

Children Hurt in Loss through Divorce/Separation (C.H.I.L.D.), a cooperative effort of the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas and Wesley Family Services’ ParentWISE program, is designed to help parents recognize and respond to the needs of their children during the separation and divorce process. The C.H.I.L.D. program assists parents by:

• transitioning them into the role and duties of co-parenting;
• helping them become more knowledgeable on how the impact of the separation/divorce impacts the child’s development; and
• teaching useful anger management, conflict resolution and communication skills to enhance their ability to parent cooperatively.

Through presentations, video vignettes, guided discussion, activities and interaction, attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills and be empowered to effectively address the issues and concerns that are encountered during this time of redefining their family and their roles.