State of Kansas - Domestic Court Services
Higher Ground
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JohnsonCounty only accepts Higher Ground participants who have been Court ordered.It is up to YOU to ask your attorney to send us a copy of that order.If you have not been Court ordered or you cannot take the class in Johnson County, please contact your judge’s office for further direction and options.
Higher Ground is a skill-based educational program designed for separated or divorced parents who are experiencing a high level of conflict.This level of conflict is dangerous for children as well as expensive, exhausting, and unnecessary for each of you.
In the mandatory5 sessions, Higher Ground teaches how conflict impacts your children, offers skills for a more effective co-parenting relationship, and teaches how to have a more child-focused mindset, positive communication strategies, and models for creating a co-parenting-business style relationship. There will be speakers who are experts in their fields, including a judge, an attorney, a child psychologist, and parents who have been through the Higher Ground programin the past.
We understand that you may be uncomfortableattending Higher Ground with your child’s co-parent.There are strict rules surrounding this.You are NOT TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER on your way to class, in class, or on your way home. You will not be in any small group with each other.You should not sit on the same side of the room as your co-parent either.You have to learn how to do it, so here is a chance to do so in a structured setting, without children.
Higher Ground classes are held every other Tuesdayfrom 5:15p.m. until 7:15p.m., at Court Services.(See schedule on the next page.) There is a $150.00 fee per parent which covers your workbook and other materials.ONLY A JUDGE CAN ADJUST YOUR FEE.This fee must be paid in full before attending the 2ndclass session or you may not continue in the class. Attendance at all 5 classes in your series is mandatory.Tardiness of even 5 minutes may require you to repeat the class session.
Please fill out all enclosed forms and return.KEEP THE SHEET WITH THE DATES OF THE SERIES!Once you are ordered into Higher Ground you are expected to take the next available class.You should send in your registration forms telling us the class series you will be in.You will not receive further communication or confirmation from our office.You will be expected to attend as ordered.
You will need to call in, mail or personally take your payment to the District Court Trustee.Questions regarding this issue should be answered by your attorney, your judge’s administrative assistant, or the Trustee’s office @ 913-715-3600.If your case is from a county other than Johnson County, you will need to pay at Court Services when you attend class.
Elizabeth Mayfield
Domestic Court Services
(913) 715-7499
Higher Ground
Johnson County Domestic Court Services
It is MANDATORY that you attend a brief orientationbefore you can begin Higher Ground classes.
Orientations are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 pm and the third Thursday of each month at 12:00 pm.
You may attend orientation any time prior to class.
Contact Elizabeth Mayfield at (913) 715-7499 or Jenna Esquibel at (913) 715-7437 or f you have questions.
2018 CLASS SERIES SCHEDULE
Series 1: ...... January 9,23, February 6, 20 and March 6
Series 2:...... March 27, April 10, 24, May 8 and 22
Series 3:...... July 17, 31, August 14, 28, September 11
Series 4: ...... September 18, October 2, 16, 30, November 13
All classes and orientations are held at Johnson County Court Services located at 588 E. Santa Fe Street, Suite 4000, Olathe, KS 66061. The building is 5 blocks east of the Court House.
Children’s Bill of Rights
Tips for Separating Parents
WHEN PARENTS ARE NOT TOGETHER:
Every kid has rights, particularly when mom and dad are separating. Below are some things for parents and kids to remember when a family is changing:
Children have the right to love both parents and be loved by both parents.It is important for children to have both parents in their lives.
Children do not have to choose one parent over another.Children need time with both parents.
Children are entitled to have mixed feelings and may need help adjusting to the change.
Children are healthier if parents keep them out of and away from the conflict.Children should not be messengers or spies or be part of parents’ disagreements.
The relationships with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family, and family friends should be protected and supported by parents.
Children have the rightto be kids.Parents owe it to their children to develop and maintain a positive working business relationship.
Reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, paraphrased.
Johnson County Domestic Court Services
Higher Ground is a Confidential
Parent Education Program
- Higher Ground is a parent education program. Facilitators do not evaluate parent’s participation or performance in the class. Facilitators may provide feedback and information to parents on an informal basis.
- All verbal or written information transmitted between any parent and Court Services staff and guest speakers are confidential communications. No admission, representation, or statement made while participating in parent education shall be admissible as evidence or subject to discovery by participants. Facilitators are not subject to process requiring disclosure of any matter discussed during the class unless all parties consent to a waiver or directed to do so by the Court. Any parent or staff participating in the program has a privilege in any action to refuse to disclose, and to prevent a witness from disclosing, any communication made in the course of Higher Ground. The privilege may be claimed by any parent or facilitator.
- Facilitators only report to the courts whether parents complete the program once ordered to do so and if there are unusual circumstances where the staff member or Court deems it appropriate.
- Higher Ground is a classroom experience requiring completion of homework, personal reflection, active participation in small groups, and positive group discussion.Parents may be screened from the class if they are unable or unwilling to interact positively in a classroom or small group setting.
- Facilitator has the right to deny a completion certificate to a participant if they have not completed the course in entirety or under class rules.
- Court Services staff facilitates Higher Ground. It is possible that your mediator, conciliator and/or child custody evaluator may be involved in facilitating your class.
- We will focus on what part YOU play in the conflict and not the part your child’s co-parent is playing- whether it is significant or not.
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Parent’s Name (Please Print Clearly)
______
Parent SignatureDate
Higher Ground Parent Information
CASE NO:Children’s Names / Age / DOB / Schools/Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
DAD’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Dad’s Name: / AKA:
Address:
Home Phone: / Cell Phone: / Work Phone: / Home E-mail: / Work E-mail:
Other Contact Information: / Work Hours:
Dad’s Attorney: / Attorney’s Phone:
MOM’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Mom’s Name: / AKA:
Address:
Home Phone: / Cell Phone: / Work Phone: / Home E-mail: / Work E-mail:
Other Contact Information: / Work Hours:
Mom’s Attorney: / Attorney’s Phone:
Group Rules for Higher Ground
1.Members of the group are to arrive on time so the group can start on time. Do NOT communicate with your co-parent in any way, shape, or form while entering or leaving the building.
2.Members of the group will speak respectfully and in conversational tones at all times.
3.Each member will listen carefully to others and not interrupt. Members will help maintain a productive group setting or will be asked to leave.Only facilitators can interrupt.
4.Each member will talk only about themselves and not the co-parent.
5.Members of the group will not speak poorly of the co-parent, their significant other, any other family member, class participants, or friends.
6.Members will respect the privacy and confidentiality of co-parents in the group.
7.Members agree to the attached confidentiality statement.
8.Parents agree to conduct themselves appropriately in a group setting, being mindful of other members’ learning experiences and productivity of the class.
9.Members will leave promptly at the end of the class and will vacate the parking lot without interacting with their co-parent.
10.If parents must exchange information regarding their children, they must do so in the presence of the group leaders, or hand any notes to the leaders to read and then give to the co-parent.
11.If extraordinary circumstances require a parent to miss a class, the parent must make arrangements prior to the missed meeting to make up the material.
12.If a class member misses more than one class, that parent must repeat the entire course.
13.If a parent is more than 5 minutes late, there will need to be a make-up class or homework done to receive credit for attendance.Repeating the class or series may be necessary.
We hope that class members will attempt to continue these courtesies between meetings as well.By signing below, I agree to abide by these rules:
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Parent’s Name (Please Print Clearly)
______
Parent SignatureDate
Family Information for Higher Ground
Johnson County Domestic Court Services
Parent Name:______Case No:______
- Describe the conflict between you and the co-parent:______
- What are you hoping to learn from Higher Ground?______
- What issues are in dispute between you as parents now and what have you tried to resolve these differences? Are any motions pending in court?
- What is YOUR role in this conflict? ______
- Please include any other information you would like for us to know: ______
Please return to:Court Services,
Attention Elizabeth Mayfield, 588 E Santa Fe, Suite 4000, Olathe, Kansas 66061or