Facts
- About 40 percent of all children in the United States today are children of divorced parents; 20 to 25 percent of them show signs that they are not dealing well with this change in their family structure and are at risk for negative outcomes, including substance abuse.
- Children of divorced parents are more likely to engage in substance use and have substance-using friends than children from two-parent homes.
- In one study, 54 percent of sixth and seventh graders with divorced parents use alcohol compared to 36 percent of children with parents who never divorced.
- Forty-nine percent of premarital cohabitations are likely to break up within 5 years, compared to 10 percent of those in a first marriage; 62 percent of cohabitations end after 10 years, while the chance of a first marriage ending at that point is 33 percent.
- In 2005, an estimated 680,000 youths (2.7 percent) aged 12 to 17 had ever been in foster care.
- Youths who have ever been in foster care had higher rates of past year use of any illicit drug than those who were never in foster care (33.6 vs. 21.7 percent). The rate of past year alcohol use was similar for these two groups.
- Youths who have ever been in foster care had higher rates of need for substance abuse treatment than youths who have never been in foster care. More youths who have ever been in foster care were in need of treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use in the past year (17.4 percent) compared with youths who have never been in foster care.
- Two out of three children placed in foster care are reunited with their birth parents within 2 years. But a significant number spend long periods of time in foster care while waiting for adoption or other permanent arrangements
- The Orphan Foundation of America estimates that more than 25,000 foster youth age out of State care or run away every year. (Estimates from several other government and private sources range from 20,000 to 30,000.)
- In the only nationally representative study of youth discharged from foster care that has been published (1991, based on 1988 data), 39 percent were emotionally disturbed, 50 percent had used illegal drugs, and 25 percent were involved with the legal system.
Tags: adoption, child, children, cooperative parenting, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, family structure, father, foster care, joint custody, Mediation, mother, orphans, parent, separation, shared custody
What is Child Protection Mediation?
Child protection mediation is a voluntary program that tries to solve problems without taking sides.
The program is designed to add to Order of Temporary Custody Neglect Termination of Parental Rights and other types of case conferences involved with child protection.
Child Protection Mediation is:
- Purely voluntary
- Confidential
- Held only if all parties to the case agree
- Referred by the court, not ordered by the court
- Designed to cover any issues in dispute
Locations and Telephone Numbers:
- Juvenile Matters at Bridgeport, (203) 579-6544
- Juvenile Matters and Child Protection Session at Danbury, (203) 797-4407
- Juvenile Matters at Hartford, (860) 244-7900
- Juvenile Matters at Middletown, (860) 344-2986
- Child Protection Session at Middletown, (860) 343-6456
- Juvenile Matters at New Britain, (860) 515-5165
- Juvenile Matters at New Haven, (860) 786-0337
- Juvenile Matters at Norwalk, (203) 866-9275
- Juvenile Matters at Rockville, (860) 872-7143
- Juvenile Matters at Stamford, (203) 956-5708
- Juvenile Matters at Torrington, (860) 489-0201
- Juvenile Matters at Waterbury, (203) 596-4202
- Juvenile Matters at Waterford, (860) 440-5880
- Juvenile Matters and Child Protection Session at Willimantic, (860) 456-5700
Tags: child, child protection, child protection mediation, cooperative parenting, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, joint custody, juvenile matters, Mediation, mother, Order of Temporary Custody Neglect Termination of Parental Rights, parent, separation, shared custody
PARENTING EDUCATION
CGS § 46b-69b requires the Family Division of the Judicial Branch to establish a parenting education program to educate people on the impact on children of the restructuring of families. The program must include information on the developmental stages of children, the adjustment of children to parental separation, dispute resolution and conflict management, visitation guidelines, stress reduction for children, and cooperative parenting.
The court must order any party to a family relations dispute to participate in the parenting education program unless: (1) the parties agree, with the court’s approval, not to participate; (2) the court determines that participation is not necessary; or (3) the parties select and participate in a comparable parenting education program.
Tags: child, Connecticut Judicial Branch, cooperative parenting, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce lawyer, Family Division, father, joint custody, mother, parent, Parenting Education, parenting education course, separation, shared custody, visitation guidelines
BEST INTEREST STANDARD
In any family relations case, including dissolutions, the court is authorized to require an investigation of the circumstances of the child and family and cannot if it orders one, dispose of the case until the investigation report has been filed (CGS § 46b-6 and 7). The investigation can include the child’s parentage and surroundings; his age, habits, and history; the home conditions, habits, and character of his parents; an evaluation of his physical and mental condition; the cause of the marital discord; and the parties’ financial ability to provide support. The court may also appoint counsel for any minor child when it deems it to be in the child’s best interest (CGS § 46b-54).
The court can make and modify any order regarding custody, care, support, or visitation (CGS § 46b-56). It can assign custody to the parents jointly, to either parent, or to a third party “according to its best judgment upon the facts of the case and subject to such conditions and limitations as it deems equitable.” In making or modifying such an order the court must “(1) be guided by the best interests of the child, giving consideration to the wishes of the child if the child is of sufficient age and capable of forming an intelligent preference, provided in making the initial order the court may take into consideration the causes for dissolution of the marriage or legal separation if such causes are relevant in determination of the best interest of the child and (2) consider whether the party satisfactorily completed participation in a parenting education program.”
JOINT CUSTODY PRESUMPTION
Joint custody is defined as an order awarding legal custody to both parents, providing for joint decision-making by the parents, and requiring that physical custody be shared by the parents so as to ensure the child has continuing contact with both parents (CGS § 46b-56a). The court can award joint legal custody without awarding joint physical custody if the parents agree to it.
The statute establishes a presumption that joint custody is in the child’s best interest, if the parents have so agreed. In such a case, if the court denies a joint custody award, it must state in its decision why it did so. If only one parent seeks joint custody, the court can order both parties to submit to conciliation at their own expense with the costs allocated between them based on ability to pay and as determined by the court.
Tags: best interest standard, child, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, joint custody, joint custody presumption, mother, parent, physical custody, separation
SUMMARY
Fathers have the same legal rights as mothers in divorce cases involving child custody. Judges use the “best interest of the child” standard in awarding custody of minor children. If both parents agree, the statutes establish a presumption of joint custody. But testimony and other evidence can rebut this presumption.
Disputes about violations of custody orders are resolved by bringing the matter to the attention of the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over such disputes. The court can use its mediation services to help resolve disputes, but ultimately it decides what the facts are and can modify a custody order or hold parents in contempt of court for violating custody orders.
Someone who believes the Superior Court treated him unfairly can appeal the decision to the Appellate Court, which can review the transcripts and other court records, receive written arguments from each side in the form of legal briefs, and hear oral arguments. Some disputes can ultimately reach the state Supreme Court.
A person who feels a Superior Court judge treated him in an unfair and unprofessional manner can also file a complaint against the judge with the Judicial Review Council. This Council has the authority to investigate complaints to determine whether the judge acted in accordance with the rules governing judicial conduct. If not, it can reprimand or censor the judge.
Tags: best interest of the child, child, child custody, custody dispute, custody violation, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, father's rights, father's rights during divorce, joint custody, Mediation, mother, parent, parental rights, separation, Superior Court
How do I register?
• Complete Section III of the Parenting Education Program – Order, Certificate and Results form (JD-FM-149). The forms are available at all Judicial District Clerks’ Offices, Court Service Centers and on the Judicial Branch website. Your lawyer or the program provider may also have the form.
• You may attend any approved parenting education program in the state.
• Contact the program provider most convenient for you to get information about registration, fee arrangements, class dates, times and locations.
• Contact the program provider to register for a class. The court will not register you.
• Be sure to tell the program provider if you must complete the class by a certain date.
• Bring the Parenting Education Program Order, Certificate and Results form (JD-FM-149) with you to the first class.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the program provider will send you and the court a certificate of completion.
Tags: child, Connecticut, connecticut divorce lawyer, cooperative parenting, court order, Court Service Centers, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, healthy child development, Judicial District Clerk's Office, judiciary, mother, parent, parental education, Parenting Education Program Order, Parenting Education Programs, registration, separation
HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
Participation in a parenting education program costs $125 per person. You must pay the program provider directly. The fee is not paid to the court. If you cannot afford the fee, complete an Application for Waiver of Fees form (JD-FM-75) and file it with the clerk. If you are in court when you are ordered to attend a program, and you are unable to afford the fee, you may request that the fee be waived at that time.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?
Parenting education programs are six hours. The program may be offered in two three hour classes, or in three two hour classes. Check with the program provider about the schedule.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS
In order to participate in a parenting education program you must make the arrangements yourself. Following is a list of the programs approved by the court. You can attend any program in the state. You must call the program provider directly to obtain specific information concerning dates, times, and locations of the classes as well as the registration procedures and fee arrangements. Be sure to tell them if you have been ordered to complete the program by a certain date. Remember to bring the parenting education certification form with you to the first class.
Tags: child, Connecticut, Connecticut judiciary, cooperative parenting, court order, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, healthy child development, joint custody, mother, parent, parenting education class, Parenting Education Programs, separation
What are Parenting Education Programs?
Parenting education programs are classes designed to educate adults about the many issues children face when their family situation changes. The pro-grams train participants about how to help children adjust in a healthy way to divorce or living apart from a parent. The programs include information about children’s developmental stages, helping children adjust to parent separation, cooperative parenting, conflict management and dispute resolution techniques, guidelines for visitation and parent access, and stress reduction for children.
If you have children under age eighteen, you must participate in a parenting education program with-in sixty (60) days after a family case is filed in court. All parties involved in divorce, dissolution of a civil union, annulment, separation, custody or visitation cases are required by law to participate in a parenting education program. Both judges and family support magistrates have the authority to order your participation in the program.
IMPORTANT:
All parties may attend the same parenting education class, but you do not have to. Tell the program provider when you call to register if you want to be in a different class from any other party.
If you are afraid of any of the parties involved in your case, or afraid you may be in danger if you attend class with them, ask for separate classes when you register. Or, you may register with a different program. Remember, you may attend any approved program in the state.
Tags: child, Connecticut, Connecticut judiciary, cooperative parenting, Court, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, divorce lawyer connecticut, Family Court, father, joint custody, mother, parent, parent education, separation, shared custody, visitation
LITCHFIELD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
1. CT Council of Family Service Agencies
(to attend a Parenting Education Program at one of the following agencies, call one of the numbers below):
A. Catholic Charities
860-482-5558
132 Grove Street
Torrington, CT 06790
B. CMHA’s Northwest Center
860-482-8561 for Family Services
100 Commercial Blvd.
Torrington, CT 06790
C. Park Lane Behavioral Health,
860-354-4135 a division of CMHA
120 Park Lane Road, Suite A-102
New Milford, CT 06776
Tags: child, divorce, divorce court, Family Court, father, healthy child development, joint custody, mother, parent, parent education, Parenting Education Programs, Parenting Programs, separation, shared custody
HARTFORD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
1. Community Child Guidance Clinic, Inc.
317 North Main Street
860-643-2101
Manchester, CT 06040
2. CT Council of Family Service Agencies
(to attend a Parenting Education Program at one of the following agencies under number 2., call 860-522-8241):
A. Catholic Charities / Institute for the Hispanic Family
896 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
B. Village for Families and Children
1680 Albany Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
C. Jewish Family Service of Greater Hartford
333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite A
West Hartford, CT 06117
3. Wheeler Clinic
860-827-2043 ext. 2
(Classes held at)
645 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
4. Hockanum Valley Community Council, Inc.
27 Naek Rd.
860-872-9825
Suite 4
Vernon, CT 06066
5. Yardley Associates, LLP
860-688-1240
Enfield Parent Education Program
866-927-3539
(Classes held at)
Asnuntuck Community College
170 Elm Street
Enfield, CT 06082
6. Yardley Associates, LLP
860-688-1240
West Hartford Parent
Education Program (Classes held at) The Hartford Hospital Wellness Center at Blue Back Square
866-927-3539
The Education Center- Room 425
65 Memorial Road
West Hartford, CT 06110
7. Yardley Associates, LLP
860-688-1240
Windsor Parent Education Program
866-927-3539
(Classes held at)
Hartford Hospital-Windsor
1060 Day Hill Road
Building #2
Windsor, CT 06095
Tags: child, Connecticut, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce court, divorce lawyer, Family Court, father, Hartford, healthy child development, joint custody, mother, parent, Parenting Education Program, separation, shared custody