Our Program
Kids’ Turn is an educational program for Washington County families and children in the process of reorganization due to separation, divorce, or changes in custody or visitation. Children and their parents attend a series of four 90-minute workshops that meet once a week for four consecutive weeks.
At each session, we try to offer two parallel parent groups so that parents may attend the same dates (if they so choose) while being placed in separate groups. Children ages 5-17 meet in groups with other young people their own age however because sessions are all held via zoom, children’s groups are held on different days than the parent’s groups. Workshops are scheduled at times convenient for families on weeknight evenings and Saturday mornings via zoom. Workshops are taught by qualified professionals with backgrounds in education, mental health, and the justice system. All participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion and Kids’ Turn will forward a copy of the certificate to the court.
We invite you to review the information below to learn more about the group(s) in which you will participate!
Parents
Kids’ Turn Parent Groups are specifically designed to help parents acquire the skills and knowledge they need to effectively support their children during a family reorganization. Concepts and strategies covered during each program include:
- Factors that contribute to emotional and adjustment issues in children.
- Parent behaviors that benefit and support children during a family reorganization.
- Communication skills that enhance relationships and promote clarity and understanding.
- Strategies for effective co-parenting, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
Children
Ages 5-8
The Kids’ Turn curriculum for children ages 5-8 is designed to help them express their feelings and concerns about divorce, parental separation, and other forms of family reorganization. Through age-appropriate games and activities, children will learn:
- Vocabulary words to identify, describe, and communicate their feelings about family reorganization.
- Coping mechanisms and sources of comfort to manage strong feelings.
- Concepts such as:
- “It is not your fault when parents argue or don’t get along.”
- “Home CAN be in two different places.”
- “Parents can be sad about family reorganization, too.”
What the kids are saying:
“I liked the games we played, and being able to talk about my feelings.”
“It is fun and I’m learning a lot.”
Children
Ages 9-12
The Kids’ Turn curriculum for children ages 9-12 is designed to help learners understand and cope with changes in the family when parents separate, divorce, or reorganize in other ways. Through age-appropriate games and activities, children will learn:
- Ways to identify, describe, and communicate feelings with other children and adults.
- Basic concepts about the legal process of divorce and child custody decision making.
- Effective strategies for handling common situations that children of divorce or separation frequently encounter.
- Techniques for effective problem solving and self-help skills
What the kids are saying:
“I got to talk to kids my own age about what is going on in my life.”
“It was fun to make new friends and hear that I am not the only one going through this situation.”
Children
Ages 13-16
The Kids’ Turn curriculum for children ages 13-17 is designed to help teens gather information and learn skills that will help them to successfully handle changes in their families and in themselves. Through age-appropriate games and activities, teens will:
- Build self-esteem by identifying personal strengths and enhancing communication skills
- Learn basic concepts about the legal process of divorce and custody, including their own rights.
- Discover ways to stay connected with both parents, or cope with an absent parent.
- Develop problem-solving skills and self-help skills to foster resilience through family reorganization
What the kids are saying:
“Everyone could talk and open their hearts and tell what they feel.”
“I liked the leaders of the group. They were very open, friendly and took the time to actually listen to me. Each had a different perspective and I liked that.”