Community Calendar

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 morning hours Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 21 from 3-7 p.m. each day with registration beginning Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Cost of the classes are $75, due on the first day. Do not bring your children to this session.

It will be offered again, during the morning hours, Wednesday, March 20 from 8 a.m.-noon with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. Again it is recommended participants not bring your children.

The State of Illinois requires couples who have minor children, 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 signed up to hold the session. Instructors for the course will be Amy Deel-Hout, M.S., LCPC and Stacey Ping, M.S., LPC, NCC, QMHP.
You 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. Classes are held monthly with the next classes April 17 from 3-7 p.m., May 15 from 8 a.m.-noon, June 19 from 3-7 p.m. and July 17 from 8 a.m.-noon.