Children in the Middle

Each year over one million children feel the pain of divorce. Many parents think their children will not be affected by their divorce. But recent studies show that five years after a divorce, children will fall into one of three groups:

• Those who have made a good adjustment
• Those who are having some difficulty adjusting to the divorce
• Those who are having a serious problem adjusting to the divorce

Children in the Middle is a parent education program that teaches parents how to help children adjust to their new family structure in a positive way, by:

• Improving communication skills
• Increasing parental support of children and their relationship with the other parent.

Children in the Middle offers parents solutions to the issues of single parenting, conflict resolution techniques and the challenges of blending families.

Working with parents, the instructors create an awareness of the needs of children at each stage of development. It helps parents focus on the responsibility each one has to support and care for their children during and after the divorce process.

Children often feel caught between their parents during and after a divorce. By working with parents, we can help prevent or minimize the effects on children such as:

• Loss of concentration and attention
• Declining grades/problems at school
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Anger issues that children have with one or both parents
• Delinquency and substance abuse

Children in the Middle is a nationally successful model developed at the Center for Divorce Education in Akron, Ohio. The purpose of the program is to help parents develop an awareness of the negative effects of divorce on their children, to provide them with skills to help their children adjust positively, and to keep the children out of the middle of parental conflict. Lutheran Community Services has been offering this program since 1998.

Please check back, as additional dates will be added as classes fill up.

Registration

Pre-registration is required. You must pre-register by mail.

Registration information is also available by calling 360/377-5511

Fees

Each participant is required to pay according to the following fee schedule, which is based upon individual net income:

Net income is determined by deducting taxes and Social Security from your gross income. Do not subtract any other deduction or payment.

You must include verification of your income with the registration form if you are paying less than the $70 registration fee. Examples of income verification include paycheck stubs, photocopies of child support checks, welfare checks, unemployment checks, SSI or government income. An order from the Superior Court may waive the fee. To apply for a waiver, please go to the courthouse, Monday through Thursday. Waivers are signed at 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. It is recommended that you come early enough to fill out the application for the waiver (30 minutes in advance). The clerk will give you directions.

Please send a check or money order with your registration. Seminars are filled on a first-come, first serve basis. Registration must be received at least one week before the seminar date. You will NOT be scheduled for a seminar with the other parent unless both parents submit a written statement requesting joint attendance. Once registered you will receive a confirmation notice with the seminar date, time and directions to the site. Directions to the site will be sent out the week of the seminar.Upon completion, you will receive a certificate to be filed with the court.

Please make arrangements for your children, as no childcare is available. Children are not allowed at the class site.