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Resource Center
WEB RESOURCES
Kids in the Crossfire - www.kidsinthecrossfire.org
“Kids in the Crossfire” is a short online video designed to emphasize the impact of parents' behavior during divorce. Through dramatizations and interviews with children, parents, judges, and counselors who have been impacted by divorce or work in the family law field, the video gives parents a road map of behaviors to avoid and suggestions for improving communication and minimizing stress on children. KITC is a project of the Texas Young Lawyers Association.
Our Family Wizard – www.ourfamilywizard.com
An interactive online resource designed to help families with scheduling from separate households and managing important family information.
ShareKids – www.ShareKids.com
ShareKids is a web-based co-parenting resource that allows divorced and separated parents to communicate about their children in a safe, non-confrontational manner. The cornerstone of the program is an online calendar and diary that each parent can access. ShareKids is used by families in all 50 states and several other countries, and has been lauded by the ABA, AAML and NACC. The program costs $10 per month, per parent, but begins with a 30-day free trial. In addition, the fees will be waived entirely for needy families.
Stepping Back from Anger - www.aaml.org
This is a 12-page online booklet from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers about the impact of divorce on children and suggestions for parents on how to protect their children throughout the process. There is also a companion video available for purchase through the AAML web site.
Model Parenting Plan - www.aaml.org
The newest release from theAmerican Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is designed to protect children whose parents separate or do not share the same home. The Parenting Plan helps lawyers and parents structure a personalized plan of parenting responsibilities to protect children caught in the separating and divorcing process. The Plan consists of printed copy and a Word document on CD.
Understanding and Dealing with Children During Divorce -
www.oregoncounseling.org/handouts/divorceChildren.htm
From the Oregon Counseling Center, a short handout on the impact of divorce on children. The handout includes children's thoughts on divorce, symptoms suffered by children of divorce, and suggestions for parents.
Up to Parents – www.uptoparents.com
A free, interactive web site that offers online exercises and support to help parents stay focused on their children during divorce.
Helpguide - www.helpguide.org
Helpguide’s mission is to help people understand, prevent, and resolve life’s challenges. Their goal is to give you the information and encouragement you need to take charge of your health and well-being and make healthy choices.
National Family Resiliency Center - www.familyconnex.org
Family Connex guides you in understanding and responding to the many needs of your children during this difficult period of family transition. Family Connex helps you become the effective co- parent you want to be. The time you spend with your children is critical to helping them grow into healthy, productive human beings. You have the power to create and enhance loving connections with your children and to develop civil, constructive relationships with your child’s other parent. Podcast available by clicking here.
SERVICES
Portland Metropolitan Area Resources
Oregon Alcohol and Other Drug Services Directory
Children's Legal Advice
Youth Problem Solvers
Oregon lawyers volunteer as Problem Solvers to offer free legal information and advice to children. Any young person between the ages of 11 and 17 can call to request a referral to this program. Referrals include a 30-minute office visit with a volunteer lawyer. This service is not available in all areas.
Portland: (503) 684-3763
Elsewhere in Oregon: (800) 452-7636
Counseling Services
Asian Family Center
4424 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 235-9396
Family Works
605 SE 39th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 256-2330
Jewish Family and Child Service
1130 SW Morrison Suite 316
Portland, OR
(503) 226-7079
Lifeworks Northwest
11 locations in the Portland metropolitan area
For information or appointments, call (503) 645-9010
Morrison Child and Family Services
7 outpatient centers in the Portland metropolitan area. Additional services available.
For information or appointments, call (503) 258-4381
Northwest Catholic Counseling Center
8383 NE Sandy Boulevard Suite 205
Portland, OR
(503) 253-0964
Court Services
Multnomah County – Self-Help Center
Multnomah County Courthouse
1021 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 211B
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 988-4003
Multnomah County – Family Court Services
Multnomah County Courthouse
1021 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 350
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 988-3189
Columbia County Circuit Court
230 Strand Street
St. Helens, OR 97051
(503)-397-2327
Fax: (503)-397-3226
Washington County - Family Law Clerk's Office
150 N 1st Avenue
Hillsboro, OR
(503) 846-8888
www.ojd.state.or.us/wsh/famlaw1.htm
Parenting Classes
Parenting Beyond Conflict
P.O. Box 12352
Portland, OR 97212
(503) 972-5683
Fax: (503) 282-5990
www.parentingbeyondconflict.com
A six-week class designed to help separated or divorcing/divorced parents minimize the impact of conflict on their children, learn strategies for co-parenting effectively, and keep the focus on the children. Classes are offered in Portland, Oregon City and Vancouver, WA.
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP)
STEP is a seven-week parenting program that helps parents learn positive and effective parenting strategies. Classes are offered for parents of children in the following age groups: age 6 and under, age 6-12 and teens.
Volunteers of America Parenting Program – Families Together
217 SE 8th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 236-3033
An intensive 20-week parenting course in which parents participate in play lab sessions with their children and receive instruction on parenting topics, individual coaching and group discussions.
Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest
1827 NE 44th Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 249-4859
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest matches children with adult mentors.
Trillium Family Services – Family of Friends
3415 SE Powell Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 813-7724
www.trilliumfamily.org/family_of_friends.asp
Family of Friends matches volunteer families with at-risk children aged 6-9 to create positive mentoring relationships.
BOOKS
Always Dad: Being a Great Father During and After Divorce, by Paul Mendelstein
The Co-Parenting Survival Guide: Letting Go of Conflict After a Difficult Divorce, by Elizabeth Thayer and Jeffrey Zimmerman.
Divorce & New Beginnings: A Complete Guide To Recovery, Solo parenting, Co-Parenting, and Stepfamilies, by Genevieve Clapp.
The Divorced Dad’s Survival Book: How to Stay Connected With Your Kids, by Dabid Know and Kermit Leggett.
Helping Your Kids Survive Your Divorce, by Thomas Whiteman.
Mom's House, Dad's House: A Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced, or Remarried, by Isolina Ricci.
Parenting After Divorce: A Guide to Resolving Conflicts and Meeting Your Child’s Needs, by Philip Stahl.
Positive Discipline for Single Parents: Nurturing, Cooperation, Respect and Joy in Your Single-Parent Family, by Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin and Carol Delzer.
Surviving The Breakup: How Children and Parents Cope With Divorce, by Judith S. Wallerstein and Joan B. Kelly.
Through the Eyes of Children: Healing Stories for Children of Divorce, by Janet R. Johnston, Karen Bruenig, Carla Garrity and Mitch Baris.
What About the Kids: Raising Your Kids Before, During and After Divorce, by Judith Wallerstein.
Why Did You Have to Get a Divorce? And When Can I Get a Hamster? by Anthony E. Wolf.