Florida Class for Divorcing Parents to meet Florida Statutes 61.21

Section 61.21 Florida Statutes

Information provided by Tom Wilson Counseling and TeleHealth Center Online Classes

Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course $34.95

This is a 4 HOUR parenting class and is officially approved by the State of Florida for divorcing parents in all courts. This class meets requirements for the "Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course" required by state law.

61.21  Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance authorized; contempt.
(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PURPOSE.--It is the finding of the Legislature that:
(a)  A large number of children experience the separation or divorce of their parents each year. Parental conflict related to divorce is a societal concern because children suffer potential short-term and long-term detrimental economic, emotional, and educational effects during this difficult period of family transition. This is particularly true when parents engage in lengthy legal conflict.
(b)  Parents are more likely to consider the best interests of their children when determining parental arrangements if courts provide families with information regarding the process by which courts make decisions on issues affecting their children and suggestions as to how parents may ease the coming adjustments in family structure for their children.
(c)  It has been found to be beneficial to parents who are separating or divorcing to have available an educational program that will provide general information regarding:
1.  The issues and legal procedures for resolving time-sharing and child support disputes.
2.  The emotional experiences and problems of divorcing adults.
3.  The family problems and the emotional concerns and needs of the children.
4.  The availability of community services and resources.
(d)  Parents who are separating or divorcing are more likely to receive maximum benefit from a program if they attend such program at the earliest stages of their dispute, before extensive litigation occurs and adversarial positions are assumed or intensified.
(2)  The Department of Children and Family Services shall approve a parenting course which shall be a course of a minimum of 4 hours designed to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children.
(a)  The parenting course referred to in this section shall be named the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course and may include, but need not be limited to, the following topics as they relate to court actions between parents involving custody, care, time-sharing, and support of a child or children:
1.  Legal aspects of deciding child-related issues between parents.
2.  Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on adults.
3.  Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on children.
4.  Family relationships and family dynamics.
5.  Financial responsibilities to a child or children.
6.  Issues regarding spousal or child abuse and neglect.
7.  Skill-based relationship education that may be generalized to parenting, workplace, school, neighborhood, and civic relationships.
(b)  Information regarding spousal and child abuse and neglect shall be included in every parent education and family stabilization course. A list of local agencies that provide assistance with such issues shall also be provided.
(c)  The parent education and family stabilization course shall be educational in nature and shall not be designed to provide individual mental health therapy for parents or children, or individual legal advice to parents or children.
(d)  Course providers shall not solicit participants from the sessions they conduct to become private clients or patients.
(e)  Course providers shall not give individual legal advice or mental health therapy.
(3)  Each course provider offering a parenting course pursuant to this section must be approved by the Department of Children and Family Services.
(a)  The Department of Children and Family Services shall provide each judicial circuit with a list of approved course providers and sites at which the parent education and family stabilization course may be completed. Each judicial circuit must make information regarding all course providers approved for their circuit available to all parents.
(b)  The Department of Children and Family Services shall include on the list of approved course providers and sites for each circuit at least one site in that circuit where the parent education and family stabilization course may be completed on a sliding fee scale, if available.
(c)  The Department of Children and Family Services shall include on the list of approved course providers, without limitation as to the area of the state for which the course is approved, a minimum of one statewide approved course to be provided through the Internet and one statewide approved course to be provided through correspondence. The purpose of the Internet and correspondence courses is to ensure that the parent education and stabilization course is available in the home county of each state resident and to those out-of-state persons subject to this section.
(d)  The Department of Children and Family Services may remove a provider who violates this section, or its implementing rules, from the list of approved court providers.
(e)  The Department of Children and Family Services shall adopt rules to administer subsection (2) and this subsection.
(4)  All parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children or a paternity action that involves issues of parental responsibility shall be required to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course prior to the entry by the court of a final judgment. The court may excuse a party from attending the parenting course, or from completing the course within the required time, for good cause.
(5)  All parties required to complete a parenting course under this section shall begin the course as expeditiously as possible. For dissolution of marriage actions, unless excused by the court pursuant to subsection (4), the petitioner must complete the course within 45 days after the filing of the petition, and all other parties must complete the course within 45 days after service of the petition. For paternity actions, unless excused by the court pursuant to subsection (4), the petitioner must complete the course within 45 days after filing the petition, and any other party must complete the course within 45 days after an acknowledgment of paternity by that party, an adjudication of paternity of that party, or an order granting time-sharing to or support from that party. Each party to a dissolution or paternity action shall file proof of compliance with this subsection with the court prior to the entry of the final judgment.
(6)  All parties to a modification of a final judgment involving a parenting plan or a time-sharing schedule may be required to complete a court-approved parenting course prior to the entry of an order modifying the final judgment.
(7)  A reasonable fee may be charged to each parent attending the course.
(8)  Information obtained or statements made by the parties at any educational session required under this statute shall not be considered in the adjudication of a pending or subsequent action, nor shall any report resulting from such educational session become part of the record of the case unless the parties have stipulated in writing to the contrary.
(9)  The court may hold any parent who fails to attend a required parenting course in contempt, or that parent may be denied shared parental responsibility or time-sharing or otherwise sanctioned as the court deems appropriate.
(10)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the parties to a dissolution of marriage to attend a court-approved parenting course together.
(11)  The court may, without motion of either party, prohibit the parenting course from being taken together, if there is a history of domestic violence between the parties.

Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course $34.95

This is a 4 HOUR parenting class and is officially approved by the State of Florida for divorcing parents in all courts. This class meets requirements for the "Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course" required by state law.

Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Class

Florida Approved Parent Education Class for Divorcing Parents

This Parent Education and Family Stabilization Class for divorcing parents is approved by the State of Florida's Department of Children and Families as a distance learning online course.

http://www.tomwilsoncounseling.com/florida.html

Top Ten Tips for Parents to Prevent Drug Abuse in their Kids

Top Ten Tips for Parents to Prevent Drug Abuse in their Kids

Before reviewing the Ten Tips for Parents, there are two important points to be aware of:

1. Why is there so much focus on keeping kids alcohol and drug free?
Recent scientific research has found that the longer an individual postpones the onset (first use) of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use, the less likely the individual is to develop an addiction or other lifelong problems, including depression.

2. The Power of Parents: Believe it or not, parents are the most powerful influence on their kids when it comes to drugs. Recent research has found that 2 out of 3 kids ages 13-17 say that losing their parents’ respect is one of the main reasons they don’t drink alcohol, smoke marijuana or use other drugs.

So then, as a parent, what can I do use my influence to encourage or promote prevention efforts with my children? Here are Ten Tips for Parents:

1) Don’t Be Afraid to be the “Bad” Parent: Sometimes, our fear of negative reaction from our kids keeps us from doing what is right. When it comes to alcohol and drugs, taking a tough stand can help our children to say no….“my mom or my dad would kill me if I drank or used.” Our decisions and our rules allow our child to use us as “the reason” for not using alcohol or drugs.

2) Connect With Your Child’s Friends: Pay attention to who your child is hanging out with, who’s coming to the house and get to know them. Encourage your child’s friends to come to your home, invite them for dinner and make them feel welcomed. Encourage your child to invite friends over to the house.

3) Make Connections With Other Parents Too: As you get to know your kids friends, take the opportunity to introduce yourself to his/her parents. It’s a great way to build mutual support and share your rules about alcohol and drugs. And, it will make it easier for you to call if your son/daughter is going to a party at their house to make sure that there will be responsible parental supervision.

4) Promote Healthy Activities: Help your kids, and their friends, learn how to have fun, and fight off the dreaded “I’m bored.” Physical games, activities and exercise are extremely important because of the positive physical and mental benefits. Encourage kids to become engaged in other school and community activities such as music, sports, arts or a part-time job. The more your children are active, the less time they have to get caught up in the pressure from peers to drink alcohol and use drugs.

5) Establish Clear Family Rules About Alcohol and Drugs: Setting specific, clear rules is the foundation for parental efforts in prevention, some ideas:

• Kids under 21 will not drink alcohol
• Kids will not ride in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs
• Older brothers and sisters will not encourage younger kids to drink or use drugs
• Kids under 21 will not host parties at our home without parental supervision
• Kids will not stay at a kid’s party where alcohol or drugs are present.
• Consistent enforcement of the rules, with consequences, if needed is essential. Without consequences the rules have no value and will not work.

6) Get Educated About Alcohol and Drugs: You cannot rely on your own personal experiences or common sense to carry you through. Your ability to provide family leadership in prevention requires you to be better educated. Share what you are learning with your spouse and your kids.

7) Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example: Bottom line…. from a kid’s perspective, what you do is more important than what you say! Research studies show that parents who drink alcohol or use drugs are more likely to have kids who drink or use. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation; if you use medication, use only as directed, and do not use illegal drugs. If you host a party, always serve alternative non-alcoholic beverages and do not let anyone drink and drive.

8) Keep Track of Your Child’s Activities: Asking questions, keeping track, checking in are all important. Research has found that young people who are not regularly monitored by their parents are four times more likely to use alcohol or drugs. Make the time to know what is happening in your child’s life – especially in families where both parents work outside of the home, life is busy but you must find time for your children – know what they are up to!

9) Keep Track of Alcohol and Prescription Drugs: For kids, the most common source of alcohol and prescription drugs is parents. Make sure that your home is not a source of alcohol or prescription drugs for your kids or their friends.

10) Get Help! If at any point you suspect that your child is having a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, get help. Don’t wait. You are not alone.

Tom Wilson is a Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist who develops online self-help substance abuse prevention classes to reduce the risk for substance abuse in at-risk persons. Parents who are undergoing divorce can benefit from taking the Parent Educationand and Family Stabil;ization Course at www.ParentingApart.com required by Florida family courts.

Florida Parent and Family Stabilization Course for Divorcing Parents meets Court Requirements

Online Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course : $34.95

Tom Wilson Counseling Center and TeleHealth is a Florida Department of Children and Families APPROVED provider of Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course for divorcing parents' child custody court requirements in a divorce case. Complete our state approved parenting class online with Tom Wilson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist. FREE Certificate of Completion included. Tom Wilson Counseling Center and TeleHealth has been providing APPROVED classes online for Parenting, DUI, Alcohol, Drug, Anger, Theft, Traffic Safety and Cognitive Self Change since 2004. Instructor credentials can be viewed here: www.tomwilsoncounseling.com.

Florida Department of Children and Families Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Provider. The course is a minimum of 4 hours and designed to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children, as required by Florida Statute 61.21.

Contact us at support@twccsolutions.com or call Toll Free 1.877.368.9909 during office hours; Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm EDT/EST (9am-5pm MDT/MST) with questions. If you call before or after our regular office hours, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

www.tomwilsoncounseling.com

Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course for Court Requirements

Online Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course : $34.95

Tom Wilson Counseling Center is a Florida Department of Children and Families APPROVED provider of Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course for divorcing parents' child custody court requirements in a divorce case. Complete our state approved parenting class online with Tom Wilson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist. FREE Certificate of Completion included. Tom Wilson Counseling Center has been providing APPROVED classes online for Parenting, DUI, Alcohol, Drug, Anger, Theft, Traffic Safety and Cognitive Self Change since 2004. Instructor credentials can be viewed here: www.tomwilsoncounseling.com.

Florida Department of Children and Families Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Provider. The course is a minimum of 4 hours and designed to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children, as required by Florida Statute 61.21.

Contact us at support@twccsolutions.com or call Toll Free 1.877.368.9909 during office hours; Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm EDT/EST (9am-5pm MDT/MST) with questions. If you call before or after our regular office hours, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Florida Department of Children & Families Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Providers

Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Provider

Approved by Florida Department of Children & Families

www.ParentingApart.com at Tom Wilson Counseling Center

How the Best Interests of the Child are Determined by the Court

Under Florida Statute 61.13(3) the courts must consider the following factors when ruling on custody and

the primary residence of the child:

For purposes of shared parental responsibility and primary residence, the best interests of the child shall include an evaluation of all factors affecting the welfare and interests of the child, including, but not limited to:

1. The parent who is more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the nonresidential parent.
2. The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parents and the child.
3. The capacity and disposition of the parents to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in lieu of medical care, and other material needs.
4. The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
5. The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home.
6. The moral fitness of the parents.
7. The mental and physical health of the parents.
8. The home, school, and community record of the child.
9. The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.
10. The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent.
11. Evidence that any party has knowingly provided false information to the court regarding a domestic violence proceeding pursuant to s. 741.30.
12. Evidence of domestic violence or child abuse.
13. (m) Any other fact considered by the court to be relevant.

Register for Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course at www.ParentingApart.com

Florida approved class for divorcing parents

Approved by the State of Florida

FLORIDA Parent Education and Stabilization Course: $34.95

Class Details: This Parent Education and Family Stabilization Class for divorcing parents is approved by the State of Florida's Department of Children and Families as a distance learning online course. It has also been approved in Texas and most other states.

Class Hours: 4 hours, including instruction and review questions.

Certificate of Completion: Certificate is FREE. Download certificate when course is completed.

Class Accreditation: This course has been licensed in Florida.

Class is Available: Anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Completion Time: Can be completed in one sitting or over several days.

How the Class Works: Our class teaches you everything online that you would learn in a traditional parenting classroom. Read interesting facts and answer simple review questions. Upon your successful completion of the class you will be able to download your certificate of completion.

Important Notice: The components of the parenting course are intended for educational purposes only. The presentation of this material is not intended to constitute mental health therapy, give information on specific mental health disorders nor medications to treat mental health disorders. Participants are encouraged to discuss specific mental health questions with a licensed mental health therapist of their choice.

More Information at www.parentingapart.com.

Technical Support: Telephone support is available at 1-877-368-9909 from the online class instructor from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time. Email support is available at support@twccsolutions.com.

Florida Parenting Classes

Online Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course : $34.95

www.ParentingApart.com

Tom Wilson Counseling Center is a Florida Department of Children and Families APPROVED provider of Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course for divorcing parents' child custody court requirements in a divorce case. Complete our state approved parenting class online with Tom Wilson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist. FREE Certificate of Completion included. Tom Wilson Counseling Center has been providing APPROVED classes online for Parenting, DUI, Alcohol, Drug, Anger, Theft, Traffic Safety and Cognitive Self Change since 2004. Instructor credentials can be viewed here: www.tomwilsoncounseling.com.

Florida Department of Children and Families Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Provider. The course is a minimum of 4 hours and designed to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children, as required by Florida Statute 61.21.

Contact us at support@twccsolutions.com or call Toll Free 1.877.368.9909 during office hours; Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm EDT/EST (9am-5pm MDT/MST) with questions. If you call before or after our regular office hours, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Biggest Mistakes Divorced Parents Make

What are the biggest mistakes divorced parents make?

Lorraine Segal , M.A.

While parents are divorcing and after they are divorced, they are often overwhelmed by all the changes in their lives. They may be filled with guilt, blame, rage, or grief. Though they, of course, love their children, it may be a huge challenge to manage emotions and conflict with their ex in a way that helps their children move through the changes and feel loved and secure. 

What can parents do to help their children?

• No self neglect. They can take care of themselves so they have energy to support the kids. 
• Say goodbye to their couple relationship. The relationship as a couple is over. Grieve, say goodby, and instead, focus on how to move forward together only as parents. 
• Let go of grudges and resentment. It is challenging but very doable to let go of what happened in the past and focus on making the present as good as possible. 
• Don’t go it alone. Conflict and forgiveness coaches can help parents work on communication skills and letting go of resentments. Support groups can give perspective that others are working on the same issues. Therapists can help with unresolved issues from your past that are intensifying the current situation. Parents deserve help, support, and skill building. 

Lorraine Segal is a conflict coach, trainer, and mediator specializing in transforming communication and resolving conflict for co-parents. Her business, Conflict Remedy, is based in Santa Rosa, California and she also works with clients via phone and Skype. She teaches in the conflict resolution program at Sonoma State University. To receive her free report, “Tips to Start Co-Parenting after Divorce, visit www.ConflictRemedy.com/co-parenting

Florida Mother Needs Parenting Class

NSB Mother Charged with Neglect after 2-year-old Climbs onto Roof

Originally published on www.news-journalonline.com
By Mark I. Johnson on October 11, 2012

A New Smyrna Beach mother was arrested on a charge of child neglect after a neighbor saw her 2-year-old daughter walking on the roof of her two-story house and called authorities.

A Volusia County sheriff's sergeant responded to the Van Kleeck Drive home shortly before 10 a.m. and saw a small dog on the roof and the youngster standing on an adjacent deck dressed only in a pair of underwear, the report said.

The sergeant watched as the youngster tried to crawl through a "makeshift" wire barrier that surrounded the deck and onto the roof, the report said.

The report said the sergeant announced his presence and made several attempts to contact anyone in the house for 15 minutes before the child's mother, Erica Hess, 24, came out onto the deck and picked up the child.

When questioned, the report said, Hess told a deputy she didn't know the youngster was on the roof. She claimed the little girl had been sitting on a bed in the next room as Hess moved a dresser in the bathroom.

The report indicated Hess initially said she had an unobstructed view of the child the entire time, but she changed her story, saying she closed the door while she used the bathroom. Hess told the deputy she was in the bathroom less than five minutes and when she emerged Hess said she saw the sergeant in her backyard and her daughter on the deck with the dog.

Despite the neighbor telling deputies he went to the front door of the home and tried to contact someone inside before calling the Sheriff's Office, the report said Hess claimed she did not believe anyone tried to contact her. She also told the investigating deputy that her daughter was capable of crawling through the deck barrier and "had followed the dog onto the roof," the report said.

The report said the little girl had several small scratches on her stomach and legs.

Hess was arrested on a charge of child neglect and taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. She was released on her own recognizance after first appearance Wednesday, a jail official said, and could not be reached Thursday.

The youngster's grandmother came to the residence to take responsibility of the child.

Florida Approved Online Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course: $34.95

Florida Class for Divorcing Parents and Child Custody

Avoid Simple Mistakes when Selecting the Right Online Florida Parenting Class for Child Custody

© 2012 Thomas Wilson

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 

Many Florida courts require divorcing parents to attend a parent education class to help resolve custody conflicts before granting a divorce involving minor children. A class might also be required to modify an existing court order.

This class is called the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, which  is a 4-hour parent education class for divorcing and separated parents. Certain Florida county courts allow parents to complete this course online. 

This class is typically very affordable, convenient, confidential, secure, and court-approved. Providers usually provide you with a certificate of completion at no additional charge which can be downloaded and printed at home after course completion. Most providers offer phone and email support.

However, a simple mistake such as choosing the wrong class or choosing the wrong online program provider could get you into even more trouble with the court.  If you want to resolve your case quickly, avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake # 1: Enrolling in a class from a provider that does not have the proper credentials or is not accredited or approved to provide Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. 

Parenting classes are taught by professionals who are certified or licensed in counseling.  If you are unsure, ask for a copy of their license or credentials to provide to the court.   

Mistake #2: Enrolling in the wrong class.  Be sure to enroll in the right class that is required by the court. 

Normally these classes are called parent education classes or parent education and family stabilization courses.  Remember that a parenting class is different than an anger management class or psychological counseling.  If you are unsure or don’t know the exact name of the class, you should call the office of the program provider and ask for assistance. Licensed and credentialed course providers are happy to help you find the right class. 

Mistake #3: Enrolling in an online class without getting approval from your court or agency. 

An approved course provider will not encourage you to sign up unless you have gotten permission from the court or agency that requires the class.  Be sure you have permission from the court, agency or your attorney take the online class.  It’s always a good idea to call and get an OK. 

Mistake #4: Enrolling in the cheapest class. 

Just because the class is the cheapest, does not necessarily mean it will meet court requirements, or offer technical support. Some providers charge extra for certificates or other paper work required by the court. Inquire about all the cost involved in getting proof of enrollment, completion of certificates and mailing costs. Some providers make their money by charging inflated fees for services that are normally included at no cost by approved parent education programs.