NCJ Number
147100
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: (1994) Pages: 27-32
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents the goals, objectives, and curriculum outline of the Families in Transition Program (FIT), a court program in Jefferson County, Ky., that requires both parents and children of families in divorce proceedings to attend a program designed to mitigate the psychological harms of divorce on children.
Abstract
The program, which lasts some 6-7 1/2 hours, intends to prevent or reduce children's anxiety, aggression, depression, and behavioral problems and to increase social competencies critical to children's postdivorce adjustment. The curriculum emphasizes a supportive climate where feelings can be freely explored, acquisition of problemsolving skills for divorce-related problems, and ways for parents and children to develop better relationships with one another. Each program component is designed to address the five factors that put children at risk at the time of divorce: age and sex of the child, predivorce family functioning, postdivorce parent-child relationships, postdivorce parental relationships, and parent-child support systems. Families who file for divorce receive a brochure that describes the program and a telephone number and location where they can attend the required program. Upon program completion, each family receives a certificate of completion that is presented to the Family Court so the divorce can be finalized. Preliminary evaluations show that those who have completed the program are adjusting satisfactorily to the divorce. This article presents an overview of each of the curriculum units. 5 references