DAiSE PACT

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PARENTING EDUCATION SEMINAR

Pursuant to T.C.A. 36-6-401 et seq., all divorcing parents with minor children are mandated to participate in the Parenting Plan. It is therefore ordered that in all actions involving custody and support of minor children the provision of this legislation shall apply.

What is the Parenting Education Seminar?
The Parenting Education Seminar is a class or series of classes that give parents the information necessary to deal with their children and with each other during and after the divorce process. These seminars are meant to help the divorcing family through the trauma of divorce without putting more stress on the parties and their children.

What is taught in the Seminar?
The Parenting Plan Law requires (at a minimum) that the Seminars “educate parents concerning how to protect and enhance the child’s emotional development and informing the parents regarding the legal process. The seminar shall also include a discussion of alternative dispute resolution, marriage counseling, the judicial process, and common perpetrator attitudes and conduct involving domestic violence.” Parenting Education Seminars may also cover other topics related to divorce and its effect on a family.

How Long is the Seminar?
The Parenting Plan Law requires a minimum of four hours of classroom time. Each individual Court decides the time required. Depending on the total amount of time required, the Seminar may be given in more than one session.

DAiSE PACT

The Divorce and Separation Education: Parents and Children Together (DAiSE PACT) is a court approved divorce, co-parenting education program developed by Kathy Smith and based on guidelines and a 13-step program set by the State of Tennessee

  • The letters DAiSE are pronounced like the flower daisy. The daisy has a center that is surrounded by petals. Metaphorically speaking, the center is the children and the surrounding petals are all family members and potential future partners of one or both parents.

 


 

  • PACT is “Parents and Children Together.” Children need assurance that they will have contact with their nonresidential parent and his or her family. The DAiSE PACT program teaches parents how to accomplish this and deal with other issues arising from divorce.

The DAiSE PACT program is designed to inform parents about the expected and unexpected issues surrounding divorce that will enable them to make decisions, which sill ultimately best serve the children involved. Children will benefit from parents that work together, set the same goals for them, and present a joint front that cannot be broken by children.

How much does the Seminar cost?
The cost for the DAiSE PACT Parent Education Seminar is $40 per parent. Upon proof of indigence by a parent, the Court may be able to waive the costs. In the alternative, the costs may be added as court costs.

Because the past cannot be changed, in all endeavors Kathy Smith offers a “future focus” approach, which is the most effective and positive way for families to get through the divorce process.

Seminars are 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. on the
2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.

The Parenting Plan does not prohibit parents from attending these seminars together, if they so choose.

Seminars are designed for parents and/or stepparents, please do not bring children.

For information on the DAiSE PACT divorce education seminar, Parenting Plans, other family-related services, or to make an appointment, call 433.0182.