Parenting Education Program (PEP)
Since 1994, the Council through its member agencies has provided a parenting course for divorcing couples with children. Responding to the state legislation requiring that divorcing parents participate in parent education, the Council created a program which assures:
- easy access for participants through centralized registration within districts, a variety of agency locations, and various class schedule choices
- effective program and administrative coordination between Council agency providers on statewide and district levels
- regular communication between Council agency providers and judges, court personnel, and attorneys.
Course Curriculum
CCFSA has designed a curriculum, titled Putting Children First, which addresses the following topics:
- What is Divorce or Family Disruption Like for Kids?
- What do Children Need to Help Them Deal With Divorce or Family Disruption?
- Developmental Stages of Children and Their Reactions to Divorce and Family Disruption
- Loss and the Grieving Process
- Skills for Talking and Listening with Children
- How to Talk to Children about the Divorce or Separation
- Dealing with Anger and Conflict Resolution
- Divorce "Games" Parents and Children Play
- Custody and Visitation
- Parallel and Cooperative Parenting
An annotated bibliography of related books and resources and information about other support/ advocacy groups is included in the workbook. Based on feedback from participants and course facilitators, the curriculum was revised in 1997 and in 1999 to better meet the needs of families.
CCFSA Facilitator Training
Since 1994, over 50 facilitators have been trained (or retrained) annually in the use of the curriculum , adult learning theory, and special issues which have arisen in the process of delivering this program. PEP facilitators are predominantly masters-level, licensed clinicians experienced in the delivery of family life education programs; they are trained and knowledgeable in human development and family relations. They also meet accreditation standards established by Council On Accreditation for the provision of family life education programs.
Course Structure and Administration
Agency providers maintain a centralized registration process managed by one of the provider agencies in each judicial district. Within districts, the Council PEP providers deliver courses on a rotating basis. A schedule of courses is determined three to six months in advance, the frequency of which depends on referral trends (when referrals rates increase, additional classes are scheduled as needed). Participants are given options of dates, times, and locations of scheduled classes, are screened for any special needs (i.e., language, disability, etc.) or family situations including family violence.
Regular meetings are held between Council agency providers within each district to discuss major program, operational, outreach and communication, and referral/ utilization issues. Often, district family service unit supervisors and staff participate in these meetings.
Funding
Participants are required to pay a fee of $125/person to attend this course. Fee waivers can be granted by Superior Court judges in cases of financial need.
Evaluation
Participant evaluations of course benefits are conducted immediately following the completion of the course and six to twelve months after the course. Over 90% rate the course very beneficial in the initial evaluation and two-thirds continue to see benefits from the course six to twelve months later.
For more information about PEP, please send your request via email to: pep@ctfsa.org
|
