Parenting Program Information
Pursuant to Local Court Rule 68.5, it is a requirement for all parents involved in certain domestic suits to attend and successfully complete an educational program, more specifically set out as follows:
1. All parents in any action for dissolution, legal separation, paternity, and motions to change custody/visitation, and other domestic relations actions, but excluding adult abuse, child abuse and Juvenile Court proceedings, who are parents of a minor child or children under the age of sixteen (16) years old, where custody is to be determined by the Circuit Court, shall be required to attend the seminar entitled "Focus on the Kids", "Putting Kids First", or such other parenting seminar approved by the Court.
2. Each parent shall be required to pay the cost for participation in the seminar directly to the provider.
3. Each party shall be responsible for filing a certificate of attendance with the appropriate Circuit Clerk upon completion of the seminar.
4. The failure of a party to provide proof of completion of an approved educational parenting seminar completed within five years of the court date shall result in him or her being denied the opportunity to present evidence for affirmative relief at the dispositional hearing of the case.
5. For good cause shown, the Court may waive the requirement of this rule.
The three parenting programs that have been approved by the Court are as mentioned below. Attached you will find a brochure provided by the Missouri Extension office that sets out the details of the Focus on Kids program offered by their agency. Please call their office to register for any of the dates offered upon receipt of this information. You may access www.Missourifamilies.org/fok for sessions provided by them in other areas as well.
You also have the option of completing an approved parenting program on line at www.puttingkidsfirst.org or www.FamilyAffairs.org. Once again, proof of completion of one of these programs must be on file PRIOR to the presentation of evidence. Failure to do so will result in a denial of the opportunity to present evidence for affirmative relief and a Show Cause Order being entered against you.
If you have already completed a parenting program in another suit WITHIN THE LAST FIVE (5) YEARS, please file a copy of your completion certificate with the Circuit Clerk’s office as soon as possible. If it has been more than five (5) years since you have last taken the class, you will be required to complete it again. If you have any questions about any of this information, please call 660-259-6101 or click here to E-Mail the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk's Office.
1. All parents in any action for dissolution, legal separation, paternity, and motions to change custody/visitation, and other domestic relations actions, but excluding adult abuse, child abuse and Juvenile Court proceedings, who are parents of a minor child or children under the age of sixteen (16) years old, where custody is to be determined by the Circuit Court, shall be required to attend the seminar entitled "Focus on the Kids", "Putting Kids First", or such other parenting seminar approved by the Court.
2. Each parent shall be required to pay the cost for participation in the seminar directly to the provider.
3. Each party shall be responsible for filing a certificate of attendance with the appropriate Circuit Clerk upon completion of the seminar.
4. The failure of a party to provide proof of completion of an approved educational parenting seminar completed within five years of the court date shall result in him or her being denied the opportunity to present evidence for affirmative relief at the dispositional hearing of the case.
5. For good cause shown, the Court may waive the requirement of this rule.
The three parenting programs that have been approved by the Court are as mentioned below. Attached you will find a brochure provided by the Missouri Extension office that sets out the details of the Focus on Kids program offered by their agency. Please call their office to register for any of the dates offered upon receipt of this information. You may access www.Missourifamilies.org/fok for sessions provided by them in other areas as well.
You also have the option of completing an approved parenting program on line at www.puttingkidsfirst.org or www.FamilyAffairs.org. Once again, proof of completion of one of these programs must be on file PRIOR to the presentation of evidence. Failure to do so will result in a denial of the opportunity to present evidence for affirmative relief and a Show Cause Order being entered against you.
If you have already completed a parenting program in another suit WITHIN THE LAST FIVE (5) YEARS, please file a copy of your completion certificate with the Circuit Clerk’s office as soon as possible. If it has been more than five (5) years since you have last taken the class, you will be required to complete it again. If you have any questions about any of this information, please call 660-259-6101 or click here to E-Mail the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk's Office.