Pursuant to Local Court Rule 68.5, it is a requirement for all parents involved in certain domestic suits to attend and successfully complete an educational program, more specifically set out as follows:
(a) All parents in any action for dissolution, legal separation, paternity, change of custody/visitation, and other domestic relations actions, but excluding adult abuse, and Juvenile Court proceedings, who are parents of a minor child or children under the age of seventeen (17) years old, where custody is to be determined by the Circuit Court, shall be required to attend and complete a Parenting Program.
(b)Each parent shall be required to pay the cost for participation in the program directly to the provider.
(c) The agency that presents the program shall file a certificate of attendance with the appropriate Circuit Clerk upon completion of the program by each participant, or if completed on-line, the participant shall file a completion certificate with the Circuit Clerk PRIOR to the final hearing.
(d)Upon the failure of any parent to attend and complete a program pursuant to this rule, the Court will, upon its own motion or upon the motion of any other party to the action, take appropriate action to enforce compliance with this rule.
(e) For good cause shown, the Court may waive the requirements of this rule. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Attached you will find a brochure provided by the Missouri Extension office that sets out the details of the Focus on Kids program offered by their agency. Please call their office to register for any of the dates offered upon receipt of this information. You may accesswww.Missourifamilies.org/fok for sessions provided by them in other areas as well.
You also have the option of completing an approved parenting program on line at www.puttingkidsfirst.org; or,www.parentsforever.org or you may contact any family court in your area for similar program information and/or registration. Once again, proof of completion of such a program must be on file PRIOR to your final court appearance. Failure to do so will result in a Show Cause Order being entered against you.
If you have already completed a parenting program in another suit WITHIN THE LAST FIVE (5) YEARS, please file a copy of your completion certificate with the Circuit Clerk’s office as soon as possible. If it has been more thatn five (5) years since you have last taken the class, you will be required to complete it again. If you have any questions about any of this information, please call 660-259-6101 or click here to E-Mail the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk's Office.