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New court program aids NMI families
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Posted on Apr 11 2008
The Family Court Division of the CNMI Superior Court is now offering a service to parents and children called The Separating Parents Program.
It’s an in-house educational program for divorcing and separating parents presented by Linda Graf, a national certified counselor and certified professional mediator, and Family Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo.
Govendo said: “The main purpose of this program is to educate parents about the effects of divorce or separation on their children. We start off with a brief summary of the laws regarding custody and visitation and then move on to a detailed description of how children are affected by the separation of their parents.”
The program encourages parents to develop positive working relationships for the benefit of their children, and emphasizes parental responsibility in creating a post divorce/separation environment where the welfare of their children is the highest priority.
“This kind of program is long overdue,” Govendo said. “Over the past few years I have seen the problems that arise for children who have to deal with the trash-talking they hear about one parent from the other parent, or their respective families. It creates problems for them that can damage their lives. One of the goals of this program is to stop that kind of behavior from the parents.”
Separating Parents Program sessions also provide information regarding court processes, the effects of divorce and separation on adults and their children, and coping skills for the difficult transition of divorce or separation. The program is funded entirely by Federal Grant Number 2004-DB-BX-0055, and attendance is open to the public on a limited capacity basis. Registration is required, and registration forms are available at the CNMI Superior Court, Family Court Division. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
