Nebraska Parenting Act Divrce and Separatin Parenting Educatin Prvider Infrmatin 2015 Applicatin A. Apprval Prcess: Please submit the fllwing in the rder listed: 1. Prvider infrmatin sheet: Please cmplete this infrmatin sheet; include infrmatin requested; and submit with the apprval packet. 2. Educatinal Objective instructins: Cmplete the Educatinal Objective table fr each curse(s) fr which State Curt Administratr apprval is being requested. a. Please check ff whether yur curriculum prvides infrmatin t meet the numbered, statutrily-required learning bjectives indicated in the yes/n bx. Educatin prviders that d nt meet these statutrily required curriculum bjectives will nt receive apprval frm the State Curt Administratr s Office t prvide parent educatin fr the curts. b. Additinal ptinal educatinal cmpnents are listed in the shaded bxes; please als prvide checkmarks as t whether yur curriculum includes thse elements. 3. Prvider Guidelines Cmpliance Statement instructins: Please read the Prvider Guidelines and if yur prgram meets the requirements, sign the statement f cmpliance. Only thse prviders that meet thse guidelines and submit signed cmpliance statement will receive State Curt Administratr apprval. Educatinal Objectives and Prvider Guidelines: There are tw educatinal curses described by the Parenting Act: I. the required Basic Level Parenting Educatin; and II. the ptinal Secnd Level Parenting Educatin. Fr each f the educatinal curses, the State Curt Administratr has apprved (A) statutrily-required educatinal bjectives, alng with suggested additinal bjectives are prvided in a table, and (B) prvider guidelines fr each f the curses. The bld, numbered statutrily-required educatinal bjectives in the table must be met in curriculum and presentatin by the prvider. Prviders may request apprval f nline educatin f I. Basic Level Parenting Educatin. 4. Three letters f reference: Three letter f reference are required fr new faculty r educatrs. Applicants fr renewal d nt need t submit reference letters if the educatrs have remained the same. If the rganizatin has a new educatr, please submit three letters f reference as t the perfrmance, prficiency, and quality f the individual facilitatr/educatr fr the educatinal prgram, alng with a signed Prvider Cmpliance Statement by the new educatr/faculty. Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 1
B. Statutry Authrity: Subsectin (1) f the Parenting Act, Nebraska Revised Statute 43-2928 (2008) states: The curt shall rder all parties t a prceeding under the Parenting Act t attend a basic level parenting educatin curse. Waivers are permitted. Subsectin (2) states that The curt may rder parties... t attend a secnd-level parenting educatin curse subsequent t cmpletin f the basic level curse when screening r a factual determinatin f child abuse r neglect, dmestic intimate partner abuse, r unreslved parental cnflict has been identified. Subsectin (3) states that The State Curt Administratr s Office shall apprve all parenting educatin curses under the act. The Act sets frth descriptins f cntent f these curses as fllws: Subsectin (4) states: The basic level parenting educatin curse pursuant t this sectin shall be designed t educate the parties abut the impact f the pending curt actin upn the child and apprpriate applicatin f parenting functins. The curse shall include, but nt be limited t, infrmatin n the develpmental stages f children, adjustment f a child t parental separatin, the litigatin and curt prcess, alternative dispute reslutin, cnflict management, stress reductin, guidelines fr parenting time, visitatin, r ther access, prvisins fr safety and transitin plans, and infrmatin abut parents and children affected by child abuse r neglect, dmestic intimate partner abuse, and unreslved parental cnflict. Subsectin (5) states: The secnd-level parenting educatin curse pursuant t this sectin shall include, but nt be limited t infrmatin abut develpment f prvisins fr safety and transitin plans, the ptentially harmful impact f dmestic intimate partner abuse and unreslved parental cnflict n the child, use f effective cmmunicatin techniques and prtcls, resurce and referral infrmatin fr victim and perpetratr services, batterer interventin prgrams, and referrals fr mental health services, substance abuse services, and ther cmmunity resurces. The Act sets frth language regarding csts and scheduling separate educatinal curses fr parties t a cnflictual relatinship as fllws: Subsectin (6) states: Each party shall be respnsible fr the csts, if any, f attending any curt-rdered parenting educatin curse. Subsectin (6) further states that At the request f any party, r based upn screening r recmmendatin f a mediatr, the parties shall be allwed t attend separate curses r t attend the same curse at different times, particularly if child abuse r neglect, dmestic intimate partner abuse, r unreslved parental cnflict is r has been present in the relatinship r ne party has threatened the ther party. Submittal: Submit this packet t: State Curt Administratr s Office Attn: Rachel Lempka Rm 1213, State Capitl P. O. Bx 98910 Lincln, NE 68509 Email address: rachel.lempka@nebraska.gv Email submittals will be accepted. Facsimiles will nt be accepted. Any questins shuld be directed t Rachel Lempka, State Curt Administratr s Office, 402-471-3148, rachel.lempka@nebraska.gv. Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 2
Nebraska Parenting Act Educatinal Prvider Infrmatin Sheet 2015 A. Cntact Infrmatin: Name f Organizatin: Address: City / State / Zip: Phne: Email: Change in cntact infrmatin B. Educatin curse(s) being requested fr apprval: Basic Level On-Site Parenting Educatin (Part I) Secnd Level Parenting Educatin (Part II) Online Basic Level Parenting Educatin (Part III) Website Address: (required fr nline curse apprval) C. Language: D yu prvide yur parenting educatin curse in a language ther than English? If s, please indicate the language(s) D. ATTACH yur 2015 educatin curse schedule: date, time, lcatin, cst, and availability f sliding fee r fee waiver. E. Facilitatrs/Educatrs (fr new educatrs, please submit three letters f reference): Names f Facilitatrs / Educatrs Cntact infrmatin (if different frm Prvider) Relatinship t Prvider (emplyee; cntractr; ther) Educatinal backgrund (degrees; years f prviding parent r child educatin) Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 3
I. BASIC LEVEL PARENTING Items numbered and in bld are mandatry. Fr use by bth nsite and nline educatinal frums. A. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Parents wh attend this educatinal curse will: 1. Learn abut the ptential impact f the curt actin (separatin/divrce) upn a child T what extent shuld children be invlved in the curt actin Empwering parents Using a child centered apprach Safety 2. Identify ways t apprpriately address parenting functins Basic Parenting Educatin Parenting functins as utlined in the statute 3. Identify the develpmental stages f children What is nrmal behavir Ages and stages and the ranges f these stages Impact f crisis such as divrce upn the stages f the child s develpment Cnsideratin f the child(ren) s stage(s) f develpment when designing the Parenting Plan 4. Learn abut ways t supprt the child s adjustment t parental separatin. 5. Identify the elements f Nebraska s Parenting Plan and hw t develp the Plan Elements f a parenting plan Guidelines fr parenting time/visitatin/r ther access Hw t create a parenting plan (parental negtiatin, attrney negtiatin, mediatin, specialized alternative dispute reslutin (SADR), litigatin) 6. Learn abut alternative dispute reslutin; cnflict management; stress reductin; apprpriate language usage and psitive cmmunicatin Use f I messages Hw t help children with alienatin Interest based negtiatin techniques 7. Identify prvisins fr safety and transitin plans under the Nebraska Parenting Act. 8. Identify attributes f child abuse, neglect, dmestic intimate partner abuse and unreslved parental cnflict and hw they impact members f the family. Mandatry reprting requirements Effects f DIPA and child abuse/neglect at different stages f develpment On ging persistent parental cnflict and its impact n children Definitins/terms: dmestic intimate partner abuse vs. high cnflict 9. Identify parenting thrugh separatin resurces and references fr thse wanting t get mre infrmatin frm web sites and bks Curriculum meets the learning bjective Yes N Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 4
I. BASIC LEVEL ON-SITE PARENTING EDUCATION B. PROVIDER GUIDELINES 1. The statutrily-required educatinal bjectives are being met by the prvider 2. Safety fr participants during the intake prcess and thrughut the educatinal experience is addressed by: a. Offering separate classes fr either party in a case b. Screening questins t assess presence f dmestic intimate partner abuse c. Safety measures are in place at the site and time f the class 3. Each prvider must prvide a written prf f cmpletin fr each participant 4. Prviders must submit significant curriculum mdificatins t the AOC fr apprval 5. The basic level class is at least tw (2) hurs in length and n mre than six (6) hurs in length 6. Participants have the pprtunity t evaluate the curse 7. Educatin class facilitatr/educatr qualificatins shall include: a. Bachelrs degree required in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent b. Masters degree preferred in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent OR equivalent experience in ne f the abve listed areas c. Exceptins t the facilitatr/educatr qualificatins will be reviewed n a case by case basis and must receive apprval by the State Curt Administratr r its designee d. Three written references fr the facilitatr/educatr regarding perfrmance, prficiency, and quality is required t be submitted t the State Curt Administratr as part f the request fr apprval e. Knwledge required in the fllwing fields: dmestic vilence; mediatin and specialized ADR under the Nebraska Parenting Act; parenting plans; family dynamics; understanding f mandatry child abuse and neglect reprting requirements; parental cnflict and impact upn children Statement f Cmpliance: As a prvider f basic level parent educatin, I affirm that my rganizatin and the facilitatr/educatrs meet the Prvider Guidelines as stated abve. Name / Title Date Fr Basic Level On-Site Educatinal Apprval: submit a cmpleted cpy f the fllwing: 1. Prvider Infrmatin Sheet 2. Basic Level Parenting Educatinal Objectives Checklist 3. Prvider Guidelines Statement f Cmpliance 4. Curse Schedule and Sliding Fee Schedule Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 5
II. SECOND LEVEL PARENTING Items numbered and in bld are mandatry. A. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES Parents wh attend this educatinal curse will: 1. Identify the why and hw t develp prvisins fr safety and transitin plans As it applies t the parenting plan Examples f safe transitins Parallel parenting Optins if plan is vilated 2. Identify the ptential harmful impact f dmestic intimate partner abuse and unreslved parental cnflict n the child Definitin f terms Develpmental stage specific effects Resiliency factrs Jint and sle custdy behavirs Purpse f child supprt and ways t defuse unnecessary cnflict 3. Learn effective cmmunicatin techniques and prtcls Plan fr cmmunicating abut the needs f children Safe cmmunicatin fr all parties with examples 4. Becme aware f resurce and referral infrmatin fr victim, perpetratr, and batterer services Victim services Perpetratr Services Batterer Interventin Prgrams Referrals fr mental health services, substance abuse services, and ther cmmunity resurces Curriculum meets the learning bjective Yes N Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 6
II. SECOND LEVEL PARENTING EDUCATION B. PROVIDER GUIDELINES 1. The statutrily-required bjectives are being met by the prvider. 2. Safety fr participants during the intake prcess and thrughut the educatinal experience is addressed by: a. Requiring separate classes fr men and separate classes fr wmen b. Screening questins t assess presence f dmestic intimate partner abuse c. Safety measures are in place at the site and time f the class 3. Participants have the pprtunity t evaluate the curse. 4. A minimum f a tw (2) hur and a maximum f a six (6) hur curse 5. Educatin Class Facilitatr Qualificatins shall include: a. Bachelrs degree required in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent b. Masters degree preferred in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent OR equivalent experience in ne f the abve listed areas c. Exceptins t these requirements will be reviewed n a case by case basis and apprved by the AOC Parent Educatin Cmmittee d. Must submit three written references regarding the facilitatr/educatr s perfrmance, prficiency, and quality e. Child welfare backgrund check must be dne fr thse facilitating the child f divrce curse f. Knwledge required in the fllwing fields: dmestic vilence; mediatin and specialized ADR under the Nebraska Parenting Act; parenting plans; family dynamics; understanding f mandatry reprting requirements; parental cnflict Statement f Cmpliance: As a prvider f secnd level parent educatin, I affirm that my rganizatin and the facilitatr/educatrs meet the Prvider Guidelines as stated abve. Name / Title Date Fr Secnd Level Educatinal Apprval: submit a cmpleted cpy f the fllwing: 1. Prvider Infrmatin Sheet 2. Secnd Level Parenting Educatinal Objectives Checklist 3. Prvider Guidelines Statement f Cmpliance 4. Curse Schedule and Sliding Fee Schedule Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 7
III. PARENTING EDUCATION FOR DIVORCING OR SEPARATING PARENTS - ONLINE A. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES BASIC LEVEL PARENTING EDUCATION 1. Parents wh attend a basic parenting educatin curse fr divrcing r separating parents by accessing nline and related technlgical resurces will achieve the same educatinal bjectives as utlined in sectin IA f the Nebraska Administrative Office f the Curt s apprved Parenting Educatin Guidelines. 2. During all curses, including thse presented by telecmmunicatins r utilizing ther educatinal technlgies, there shuld be an pprtunity t ask questins f the curse faculty. If a faculty member is nt available either in persn r via telephne, then a qualified cmmentatr shuld be available t ffer cmment and answer questins in writing r via e-mail. B. SECOND LEVEL PARENTING EDUCATION Due t the purpse and sensitive nature f the secnd level parenting educatin curse as defined by the Nebraska Parenting Act, educatinal bjectives cannt be achieved using technlgical resurces. Prviders f nline secnd level parenting educatin curses will nt be apprved by the Nebraska Administrative Office f the Curts. C. PROVIDER GUIDELINES 1. The statutrily-required educatinal bjectives as detailed under SECTION I BASIC LEVEL PARENTING are being met by the prvider as indicated by submittal and apprval f Basic Level Parenting Educatinal Objectives Checklist. 2. Whether the nline curse is prvided thrugh either synchrnus r/and asynchrnus instructin, faculty shall prvide an pprtunity fr participants t ask questins f curse faculty. Faculty r instructrs, qualified as described belw, will infrm participants as t when they are available fr regular cmmunicatin by: a. Sharing email address and phne number with all participants at the start f the class; b. Scheduling telephne ffice hurs where participants can expect t call and speak directly t the instructr; c. Returning emails r vicemail messages in a timely manner. 3. If the prvider ffers nline chat, blgs, r psts in an pen frum, the prvider shall screen all n-line cmmunicatins prir t psting. 4. Cmprehensin f educatinal bjectives will be facilitated using a variety f means including text, images, vide, and quizzes. a. Vide will be used t distribute infrmatin such as visual r prcedural cncepts that are hard t express in text; b. Real life r simulated demnstratins f parenting dilemmas, cnflict, and related separatin issues will be used in additin t lecture frmat. 5. Safety fr participants during the intake prcess and thrughut the educatinal experience is addressed by: a. Keeping participants direct cntact and persnal infrmatin fr use nly by the instructr, nt shared with any ther participants; b. Assigning a user name (which will nt cmprmise persnal infrmatin) t every participant fr use during curse and participant interactin; c. Maintaining privacy f feedback and infrmatin frm utside f grup discussins; d. Allwing same cuple t enrll in different classes if safety is a cncern. Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 8
6. Each prvider must prvide a written prf f cmpletin fr each participant. 7. The n-line class reflects an amunt f cntent similar t that which is prvided during an nsite wrkshp f three (3) hurs in length and n mre than six (6) hurs in length. 8. Participants have the pprtunity t evaluate the curse. 9. Participants will sign ff n a curse plicies agreement that incrprates the guidelines within this statement. 10. Prvider will need t define hardware and sftware and internet requirements fr class participatin. Prvider will respnd t technlgy questins in a timely manner. 11. Online curriculum has been develped/will be facilitated by educatrs and partners with qualificatins that reflect: a. Bachelr s degree required in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent; r b. Master s degree preferred in children and family, psychlgy, scilgy, scial wrk related field r equivalent OR equivalent experience in ne f the abve listed areas; and c. Knwledge required in the fllwing fields: dmestic vilence; mediatin and specialized ADR under the Nebraska Parenting Act; parenting plans; family dynamics; understanding f mandatry child abuse and neglect reprting requirements; parental cnflict and impact upn children. d. Basic technlgy skills including but nt limited t: - ability t perate within the preferred standard perating system (Windws, Macintsh) - ability t use the preferred standard wrd prcessing applicatin(s) - ability t use preferred email applicatins - ability t use the preferred web brwser - ability t use the preferred curse management system Statement f Cmpliance: As a prvider f nline basic level parent educatin, I affirm that my rganizatin and the facilitatr/educatrs meet the Prvider Guidelines as stated abve. Name / Title Date Cntact Infrmatin: Fr Online Educatinal Apprval: submit a cmpleted cpy f the fllwing: 1. Prvider Infrmatin Sheet 2. Basic Level Parenting Educatinal Objectives Checklist 3. Prvider Guidelines Statement f Cmpliance Online Frmat 4. Curse Schedule and Sliding Fee Schedule 5. Website Address Applicatin fr Parent Educatin Prviders - 2015 9