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THE SEMINAR FOR FAMILIES IN CHANGE AND CONFLICT This seminar was developed as a result of long-term planning among a group of helping professionals and attorneys who were concerned about the impact of separation, divorce, and custody changes on the lives of children. When the program began in January 1995, Dauphin County was the eighth county in PA to determine that such a program was important for families. Today there are over 25 programs in PA, and over 2000 programs all over the country that have determined that the well-being of children from families that are separated or separating is important enough to make this seminar a mandatory experience for parents and guardians who have children 18 and under and who are involved in a court action related to separation, divorce or custody. The information presented in the Seminar addresses the needs of parents, guardians, step-parents, and other interested parties in the lives of children from family separation.
Those involved in the planning for this seminar are aware of the discomfort that is created when you, as adults, are forced to attend such education. We are equally aware that this discomfort is secondary to the serious problems that children suffer when such education is not provided. We assure you that being forced to attend this seminar is an effort on behalf of children who are affected by continuous conflict and anger that they are forced to experience between their parents, not a comment that you need to be educated as a parent. We hope that the information provided will be helpful and useful to you as you go through a difficult transition in your life. What we can provide for you will ultimately give you more tools to give reassurance and put your children in "conflict freedom".
The Seminar For Families In Change And Conflict is designed to provide you the ability to develop a better understanding of what "normally" happens to parents and children when adults decide to end their relationship or to adjust their custody or visitation arrangements. To a greater or lesser degree, change often creates a temporary period of discomfort and chaos in our lives. These natural temporary consequences of change are not the greatest concern of those who have designed this Seminar. Rather, our concern is the discomfort and chaos that persists over an extended period of time (often years) that places children in the position to worry and suffer instead of to grow, learn, enjoy, and experience life at its fullest.
This seminar will provide you with information about the effects of change on adults and children, information about how children adjust or do not adjust to separation, divorce and custody changes, and skills for creating the best environment possible for children as they face changes created by separation, divorce, or custody and visitation changes. We intend to cover the general or typical problems faced by separated families. We may not cover exceptional problems such as domestic violence, addiction, or serious emotional problems that may exist in your family situation. Resource information will be made available to those of you who have more in-depth needs or a desire to pursue more information on the topics presented. If your issues are beyond what we cover, feel free to approach the trainers at the seminar to ask for resource information.
Thank You Deborah L. Salem, MHS, CAC Clinical Director
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