INNOVATIVE PROGRAM FOR DIVORCED PARENTS
ADDED TO SONOMA COUNTY UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS
Petaluma — Petaluma People Services Center’s Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program has been added to Sonoma County Upstream Investments as a Promising Practice. This outcome based program that PPSC has been providing since 2012 teaches parents how to shield their children from parental conflict and establish a positive, long-term relationship as “co-parents.”
Elece Hempel, Executive Director for PPSC, said that “parents who have participated in the eight-week program realize the harmful effects of divorce on their child.” Hempel shared prior to the program “our clinical staff reported that working with the parents in this stressful situation caused a great deal of psychological damage for the children if the parents behave badly in front of them.” “We are also thrilled that this outcomes based program has been recognized by Upstream Investments Promising Practice and placed on Tier 2 of the portfolio,” Hempel stated.
Oscar Chavez, Assistant Director of Sonoma County Human Services, said “Petaluma People Services Center has been an early adopter and leader in the implementation of evidence-based practices. By implementing programs that are based on sound evidence, they ensure that their clients are receiving the best possible services.”
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is an eight-week class which combines video, activities, and group discussion to help parents refocus their attention on their children, rather than on each other. The class meets once weekly, and in many cases divorced parents are encouraged to take the class at the same time.
Parents learn to recognize parental hostility and discover how conflict affects their child’s development. They also learn how to create two homes, minimize stress at transitions, and make it a positive experience for their child. Parents discover how their anger and bitterness keeps them emotionally attached to one another, and learn ways to let go. Parents clarify their personal choices and identify a personal path. The term “realignment” is introduced to assist parents in creating a new role as co-parents. Parents determine what anger is, its signals and triggers, constructive versus destructive anger and the consequences of harboring anger. Parents examine the cycle of conflict and practice defusing or resolving conflict. Problem-solving techniques and business relationship skills are examined from a divorced parent’s position. Parents review their commitment to care, to be child-focused, and to practice good communication and negotiation skills.
For more information or to sign up for Cooperative Parenting and Divorce, please contact PPSC’s main office at 707-765-8488 or e-mail to admin@petalumapeople.orgINNOVATIVE PROGRAM FOR DIVORCED PARENTS
ADDED TO SONOMA COUNTY UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS
Petaluma — Petaluma People Services Center’s Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program has been added to Sonoma County Upstream Investments as a Promising Practice. This outcome based program that PPSC has been providing since 2012 teaches parents how to shield their children from parental conflict and establish a positive, long-term relationship as “co-parents.”
Elece Hempel, Executive Director for PPSC, said that “parents who have participated in the eight-week program realize the harmful effects of divorce on their child.” Hempel shared prior to the program “our clinical staff reported that working with the parents in this stressful situation caused a great deal of psychological damage for the children if the parents behave badly in front of them.” “We are also thrilled that this outcomes based program has been recognized by Upstream Investments Promising Practice and placed on Tier 2 of the portfolio,” Hempel stated.
Oscar Chavez, Assistant Director of Sonoma County Human Services, said “Petaluma People Services Center has been an early adopter and leader in the implementation of evidence-based practices. By implementing programs that are based on sound evidence, they ensure that their clients are receiving the best possible services.”
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is an eight-week class which combines video, activities, and group discussion to help parents refocus their attention on their children, rather than on each other. The class meets once weekly, and in many cases divorced parents are encouraged to take the class at the same time.
Parents learn to recognize parental hostility and discover how conflict affects their child’s development. They also learn how to create two homes, minimize stress at transitions, and make it a positive experience for their child. Parents discover how their anger and bitterness keeps them emotionally attached to one another, and learn ways to let go. Parents clarify their personal choices and identify a personal path. The term “realignment” is introduced to assist parents in creating a new role as co-parents. Parents determine what anger is, its signals and triggers, constructive versus destructive anger and the consequences of harboring anger. Parents examine the cycle of conflict and practice defusing or resolving conflict. Problem-solving techniques and business relationship skills are examined from a divorced parent’s position. Parents review their commitment to care, to be child-focused, and to practice good communication and negotiation skills.
For more information or to sign up for Cooperative Parenting and Divorce, please contact PPSC’s main office at 707-765-8488 or e-mail to admin@petalumapeople.org