Children’s First

The Children First Parenting Education Program was created and developed to “help parents help their children through divorce” by stressing the needs of children to their parents. The goal of this course is to help parents be better prepared to help their children effectively adapt to the many issues affecting them during periods of stressful family transition, resulting from divorce, separation, parental responsibility conflict and parenting time issues. The focus is on the child.

Through this program, Parents will learn:

• how to ease the divorce/separation process for their children

• how to talk to their children w/o “badmouthing” the other parent

• how to take care of themselves during stressful times

• child developmental reactions to divorce and/or separation

• ways to help parents answer difficult questions from their children

• about mediation

• relaxation techniques

• conflict resolution

• how to avoid common problems

• how to move ahead after divorce

All participants must pre-register, complete a verification of income form, and pre-pay before attending.  Fees are based on a sliding scale determined by your separate income and the number of children you help support.  Parents may not attend sessions together.  Please do not bring children or unregistered adults to the session.  You can register by calling RISE Behavioral Health and Wellness at 217-253-4731. Please register early, as session size is limited.

Participants with disabilities who need special arrangements, such as interpreter services, or other types of assistance, should inform RISE Behavioral Health and Wellness when registering for the program.