Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why
should I bring my child(ren) to the Kids' Turn program?
Like so many life challenges, there is no preparation or training
for creating a healthy divorce, one that places the welfare
of the children as the primary concern of their parents. Most children
benefit a great deal from participating in the program. They
have
a safe place to talk about their experiences and feelings.
They learn that they have a number of rights as a child growing
up in
two homes, such as the right not to be a messenger, and the
right not to hear negative comments about one parent or the other.
They
have fun with their group leaders playing games, singing songs,
doing art work and learning how to understand and cope with
major family changes.
- Is confidentiality assured?
Yes. The information shared by adults and children is treated as
completely confidential. Whatever is discussed is protected information.
Assuring confidentiality in our classrooms allows children and
adults to talk freely in an atmosphere of trust and support. The
exception to this would be mandatory reporting of suspected child
abuse or neglect, and intention to harm others.
- Does Kids’ Turn report to the court?
Parents are required to sign an agreement/consent form explaining
that Kids' Turn staff members MAY NOT be subpoenaed to testify
in divorce or custody proceedings. If a parent is ordered
to attend Kids’ Turn, the parent will be issued a graduation
certificate to indicate that he or she has successfully completed
the program.
As a convenience to the graduate and to the court, we will
be providing the court with a list of those graduates who
were required
by the
court to attend.
- Will I receive information about how my child is doing?
Since one of the primary goals of the program is to provide a safe
place for children to talk about their experiences and feelings,
workshop leaders do not share specific information with the parents
about their children. Of course, if there is reason to believe
that a child is in danger or needs additional assistance such as
counseling or testing, the Program Manager will pass that information
along to the parent and make appropriate referrals based upon feedback
from group leaders.
- Is childcare available for children too young to attend.
We are sorry that childcare is unavailable for children too young
for the Kids' Turn program. Babysitting must be arranged outside
of Kids' Turn.
- Can my new husband, wife or other adults attend the program?
No. Kids' Turn is not able to accommodate significant others, stepparents
or other family members.
- What if I have a problem while I am participating in Kids'
Turn?
Problems should be discussed first with your group leader and then
brought up with Kids Turn. Call (619) 615-6289 for assistance.
- What if my child or I need more help than Kids' Turn can
provide?
Your group leader or the Program Manager can make suggestions for
additional resources for you or your child, if more assistance
is needed.
- Must both parents attend the same workshop?
It is strongly recommended that both parents attend the same
workshop even when there is a high level of animosity or conflict.
Although
parents are not in the same classroom, they have an opportunity
before and after the workshop to practice the skills of cooperative
co-parenting they are learning at Kids’ Turn. On very
rare occasions, we may recommend that parents attend separate
workshops.
- Do I have to attend every session?
Parents are required to attend all four sessions of the same
workshop in order to graduate from Kids’ Turn
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