http://www.washburnlaw.edu/centers/children/horizons/index.php

Horizons, Solutions for Change Co-Parenting Program

About Horizons

Horizons, Solutions for Change is a non-profit, self-sustaining parenting program available to residents of Topeka-Shawnee County, Kansas and neighboring communities. A nominal fee supports the purchase of course materials and courthouse security. Referrals to the program come from judges, attorneys, therapists, schools or parents who wish to attend.

For further information, to make a referral, or to volunteer, contact: Sheri Keller (Specializes in taking Battered Mothers Children and Giving them to the Abuser- See the Claudine Dombrowski case)

 Sheri Keller Protecting Abuser Hal Richardson

Supervisor of Domestic Court Services
Shawnee County District Court Services
(785) 233-8200, ext. 4504
SKeller@shawneecourt.org

• Local Issues (Americans For Prosperity and Kansas Judges) Now Hal Richardson isn't exactly going to win any father awards this year for this, and his criminal record keeps growing (Battery, Attempted Battery, Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction of Legal Process, Possession of Marijuana and violation of Open Container law.)www.patrioticthunder.com/localissues.html

• The Manhattan Free Press On Line To Claudine Dombrowski it is not beautiful, that is her daughter, six-year-old Rikki on the couch behind the threatening coffee table. If a coffin coffee table ...
  www.kansas.net/~freepress/7-12-01-8.html

• Claudine Dombrowski Photos of Abuse | Stop Family Violence There is a crisis in our nation's family courts. Judges are awarding child custody to abusers and pedophiles and punishing the safe parent who tries to ...
  www.stopfamilyviolence.org/pages/308

• Breaking the Silence; Children's Stories'-American Mothers ...Claudine Dombrowski has been selected to be among a host of honored presenters at the upcoming Battered Mothers Custody Conference. ...
  www.angelfury.org

• Youtube Claudine Dombrowski videos

Washburn Law Volunteers

Professor Linda Elrod regularly volunteers and contributes to the success of the Horizons program by making a presentation at the "first" group session. At these sessions she discusses the history of domestic law in Kansas and shares her own personal passion, philosophy and expertise in the area of parents placing children's issues paramount in their lives when choosing to divorce. Professor Elrod is passionate in her belief that high conflict is the number one factor affecting the long-term well-being of children of divorce.

Other Washburn Law volunteers for the Horizon Program include:

• Melinda Wicks and Daniel Heinz (Mindy and Dan are current volunteers and happy to answer questions about their work with the program).
• Milfred "Bud" Dale, JD '09, PhD and Lauren Douglass, JD '09 (see story). http://www.washburnlaw.edu/news/2009/2009-03cflc-horizons.php

Home > News > 2009 > Horizons Program

Washburn Law Students Active in Horizons Program

Dr. Milfred "Bud" Dale, Ph.D., and Lauren S. Douglass, third-year students who are part of the Children and Family Law Center, have been actively involved in the Horizons, Solutions for Change program in the Shawnee County District Court. This court sponsored 12-week educational program designed for high conflict divorced/never married parents provides parents with the tools to reduce their conflict.

Bud Dale, a child psychologist, has co-facilitated the adult program since 2007. Parents meet twice a month in group sessions which use a variety of educational materials and activities. Sheri Keller, the court service officer who started the program in 2006 said of Bud, "His knowledge and expertise in the area of emotional behavior and the impact of conflict on children is astounding. His 'tough-minded' approach, therapeutic skills and experience demand that parents to think outside the box and to take a personal inventory of what they bring to perpetuating the conflict in their families." Keller also appreciates his support in encouraging her to continue to "take on" these tough families and high conflict cases. The community benefits greatly from his volunteerism.

There is a Horizons For Kids Program for children between 5 and 17. The children are encouraged to express themselves through art work which is displayed on the third floor of the Shawnee County Courthouse. Lauren Douglass began volunteering at the program's inception in January 2007 and has been a "stable pillar" of the program. Keller states, "Lauren's interactions with the children have been truly amazing. The children enjoy working with a younger adult who understands and relates to them." In addition to giving her time and talents, Douglass has recruited other law students to help with the program.

Keller also noted that Professor Linda Elrod has contributed to the success of the Horizons program by speaking at practically every "first" group session. She not only shares the history of domestic law in Kansas but also her own personal philosophy and expertise. Professor Elrod is passionate in her belief that "high conflict is the number one factor negatively affecting the long-term well-being of children" and encourages parents to place their children's needs above their own wants.

Dr. Bud Dale, third-year law student; Mindy Wicks, first-year law student; Joyce Marcum, licensed specialist clinical social worker with Stonestreet and Assoc.; Lauren Douglass, third-year law student; and Sheri Keller, project coordinator, have been actively involved in the Horizons, Solutions for Change program in the Shawnee County District Court. The court-sponsored program designed for high conflict divorced/never married parents provides parents with the tools to reduce their conflict.

Posted April 1, 2009.