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Children First classes are scheduled at the Jasper County Health Department. This class is for any divorcing/separating couples who have minor children, and is required by Illinois law. The purpose of the class is to help the parents understand the effects of the divorce/separation on their children, and to reduce some of the negative consequences of this process.

Children First class is scheduled for afternoon hours Wednesday, August 20 from 3-7 p.m. with registration beginning at 2:30 p.m. Cost of the class is $75, due before the class begins. Do not bring your children to this session.

The next class will be Wednesday, September 17 in the morning with times from 8 a.m. to noon with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. You are required to complete the entire four hour session to be certified for the class.

The State of Illinos requires couples who have minor children, to participate in a minimum of four hours of education regarding divorce-separation, its effects on the children, and other related issues such as custody and visitation. Couples should not be enrolled in the same group, and there must be at least two clients enrolled to hold the month's session. Instructors for the course will be Amy Deel-Hout, M.S. LCPC and Stacey Ping, M.S., LPC, NCC, OMHP.

Participants may pre-register or for more information, phone the Jasper County Health Department at 618-783-4154 or come to the office at 106 E. Edwards Street in Newton at least a half hour early on the first day of class. The class will be held monthly in a four hour session with the next classes meeting on October 15 from 3-7 p.m., November 19 from 8 a.m.-noon and December 17 from 3-7 p.m.