Programs are available throughout Nebraska to help meet the needs of divorcing families and children and meet the requirements of the New Parent Act as amended by LB 554 in 2007.

Programs are available throughout Nebraska to help meet the needs of divorcing families and children, and meet the requirements of the New Parent Act as amended by LB 554 in 2007.

About Parents Forever & Kids Talk About Divorce: Parents Forever is an educational workshop for parents who are divorced, who are in the process of divorce, or who are interested in custody modification. The program helps parents understand the impact of the divorce on their children and provide concrete actions that parents can take to help their children succeed through a divorce.

Workshop Topics...

• Stages of grief and loss for children going through divorce
• Issues of developmental ages and stages. Reactions/helpful parental responses
• Things divorced parents say to undermine a child's love and confidence
• Are you alienating your children from the other parent?
• Let children be children
• Ask yourself: Am I turning my children into adults?
• Improving communication: "I" messages - - Active listening.

Kids Talk About Divorce is an educational program for school-age children experiencing divorce. These programs for children are typically held at the same time as the Parents Forever class.

For classes in Lincoln, Nebraska, visit the Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center Web site. To find an upcoming class, choose the "Childcare & Parenting" option on the calendar. On-line registration will be available from the there. For assistance or more information, call 402-219-7000.

For a statewide listing of Parents Forever & Kids Talk About Divorce, visit HERE

About C.O.P.E.D.: The Lancaster County Coalition to assist Children of Parents Experiencing Divorce (C.O.P.E.D.) was organized in 1999. It is comprised of community agencies that provide family and parenting education and support. The goal of C.O.P.E.D. is to cooperatively provide education and support to families in order that the effects of divorce on children are minimized.

There are a variety of programs and services available in Lancaster County to meet the needs of divorcing families. Programs are coordinated through the Coalition to ensure services are provided on an on-going basis.

The C.O.P.E.D. coalition is committed to providing quality educational programs to meet the needs of parents and children experiencing divorce and dealing with custody issues. Community organizations offer programs at various times and locations throughout the Lincoln/Lancaster County community. Programs provide education to parents about the impact of divorce on children. Programs also include information on the following and meet the guidelines outlined in the Nebraska Legislative Parenting Act, Statute#43.2901-43.2919:

• Developmental stages of children
• How children adjust to parental separation and divorce
• Dispute resolution and conflict management
• Guidelines for visitation
• Stress reduction in children
• Cooperative parenting

Additional content included in courses are unique to each program. In many cases, scholarships are available to cover the class fees. For more information, please refer to the current class schedule listed above and contact the sponsoring organization. You are encouraged to register early for classes particularly if you are in need of financial assistance.

Current C.O.P.E.D. Member Agencies:

• Family Service. Ph. 441-7949
• Lutheran Family Services Ph. 435-2910
• Psychotherapy Associates Ph. 475-5069
• Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center Ph. 219-7000
• Southeast Community College Ph. 437-2712
• Southwood Psychotherapy Center Ph. 420-2112
• UNL Extension-Lincoln in Lancaster County Ph. 441-7180
• and VIP (Validating Insightful Professional) Ph. 476-5202

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