Athens County Children Services P.O. Box 1046 Athens, Ohio 45701 Ph : (740)592-3061 Fax: (740)593-3880

“CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE”

Athens County Children Services presents a Domestic Relations Clinic entitled "Children In The Middle" to divorcing parents residing in Athens County in cooperation with the Domestic Relations Court of Athens County. Attendance at this two and a half hour clinic is required by the Domestic Relations Court. The clinic was recently extended an extra half hour in order to allow personnel from the Child Support Enforcement Agency to present an educational session in order to inform parents of their procedures in an effort to prevent problems resulting from lack of understanding of the system functions. The court sends a letter to each parent when they file for divorce or disolution informing them of this attendance requirement. There is a $10.00 cash charge for each participant to cover the costs accrued by ACCS. A folder is distributed to each participant containing pertinent parenting information, and much additional information is available for participants. The Domestic Relations Clinic is offered on the lower level of building 14 at Stonybrook Drive at A.C.C.S., with parking available in the rear lot. The clinic is offered twice each month, so participants can attend either from 9:00 - 11:30 AM or from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. Parents may decide whether to attend the same or different sessions, in accordance with their particular circumstances. Each session is co-facilitated by a male / female team, in order to be able to deal with any perceived gender issues more fairly. Co-facilitators are Michele Mowrey and Doug Debrick.

Please call 592-3061 ext 309 to register for the clinic.

The Domestic Relations Clinic offers information and advice on achieving the best outcomes for children and families during this transition in their lives, general discussion of divorce related issues as they pertain to children, and presentation of the "Children In The Middle" video. The focus is on making the best possible future for children of divorce by encouraging communication, cooperation and compromise between co-parents.

Athens County Children Services provides this service in order to prevent the emotional abuse of children which often results from being caught in the middle of conflict between their parents. In our work at A.C.C.S. we see many children damaged by the continual conflict between their divorced parents. Our interest is in preventing children from this unnecessary suffering. This continual conflict can cause more psychological devastation than the divorce itself. Although most parents are not anxious to attend, they generally express appreciation and thanks by the end of the clinic.