75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046-6900
Phone: 770-822-8195
Fax: 770-822-8588
E-Mail: Justin Gargala
The Navigating Family Change: A Parent Seminar is a four-hour educational seminar required of specific domestic actions involving a child or children under 18 years of age where the parties are involved in a divorce, separate maintenance, paternity, change of custody, visitation, legitimation, and any other domestic action, excluding contempt, and generally, domestic violence. The program shall be successfully completed within 31 days of service of the original complaint upon the original defendant. Appropriate action, including but not limited to contempt, may be taken upon a party's failure to successfully complete the workshop. Parties do not have to attend the seminar with their spouses or ex-spouses. Children are not allowed in the workshop. Pre-registration is required.
Below are comments collected from exit surveys of attendees:
- "I really loved this seminar. I came in today and was very angry to attend. However this is what I needed to take good care of myself and my children. Thank you!"
- "I thoroughly enjoyed the class ... It went fast and the speakers did a great job keeping the audience's attention. The humor helped."
- "Great workshop. I'm a psychologist for a local school system and I even learned quite a few things."
- "I felt overwhelmed at the fee as my spouse left us to live on $600 per month ... $30 was a huge sacrifice, but worth every penny. Thank you!"
- "At first I was hesitant to take this seminar, yet it is by far the best I have attended. The two instructors were excellent and I would advise many people to attend! Very resourceful."
Program Content
The seminar focuses on the developmental needs of children, with emphasis on fostering the child's emotional health during periods of stress. The program is informative, supportive, and directs people desiring additional information or help to appropriate resources. The course content includes:
- Responding to Children -- how to talk to them to assist in their emotional adjustment to parental separation or divorce; and so they can stay out of the parental conflict, preserve their self-esteem, and simply be children
- Leaver/Leavee -- the emotional impact on each parent after separation or divorce and how it affects the children
- Grief Process -- how to recognize the stages of grief in self and family members; and how to respond to family members in the different grief stages
- Co-Parenting -- the importance of approaching co-parenting realistically and setting appropriate boundaries to minimize conflict
- Parenting Plan Basics -- the importance of a clear and detailed plan and how to incorporate elements to best execute a cooperative or parallel co-parenting style
- Child Development -- considering the above subjects given the various stages of child development
Seminar Dates, Times and Directions
All seminars will be held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046). Seminars will be in Conference Room A West Wing, located on the second floor. The seminars begin promptly at the times scheduled. Arrive 15 minutes early to receive your materials. Attendees arriving late will be required to reschedule. You can select “Registration” below to view the dates and times for that month.
If the month you are inquiring about is not listed here, call 770-822-8195.
For directions call 770-822-8000 ext. 6000 or http://www.gwinnettcourts.net/about/map-directions
In order to accommodate the schedules of all parties the seminar is offered four times monthly; including three weekday sessions and one evening session. To further accommodate all parties, this seminar requirement may be satisfied by a certificate from other court sponsored parenting seminars in which their location or times may be more amenable to your schedule.
Registration
Registration must be received prior to the day of the seminar. Payment is accepted at the door only; in the form of cash, credit card, debit or money order in the amount of $40.00 per person. (Make money orders payable to Gwinnett County ADR). No refunds will be given. All parties shall attend the seminar selected by them without further notification from the court. You may call or email our office to confirm receipt.
Please fill out the form entirely. If you have filed your case in another county or state, please indicate the county and state in the space provided.
Methods of Submitting the Registration Form:
- Register Online
- Fax: 770-822-8588
- Phone: 770-822-8195
- Mail to the address on the registration form.
- Hand deliver to the 3rd Floor, Administrative Office of the Courts (East Wing, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center)
Please arrive 15 minutes early for the workshop to pay your fees and/or complete any necessary paperwork.
Presenters
Each seminar is conducted by a male/female team of masters level professionals trained in mental health services.
Fees
A fee of $40.00 per person is required and is used to cover all costs of the program including the presenter's fees, handouts, applications, and program administration. Payment is accepted at the door only; in the form of cash, credit card, debit or money order. A fee waiver is available for parties having filed under a pauper's affidavit, carrying a current Medicare/Medicaid card, or falling under the indigent guidelines as set by the state. If you believe you qualify, send a copy of your pauper's affidavit or Medicare/Medicaid card with your registration form or call for a fee waiver application. If you are unable to attend the seminar for which you registered, you may reschedule for another date. No Refunds Available.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Each participant will complete a written evaluation of the seminar at its conclusion, indicating their individual assessment of the value of the seminar and any suggestions for future seminars.
Certificates
Certificates will be issued after completing the evaluations. If the case was filed in Gwinnett County, the court will provide a copy of the certificate to the participant and the original certificate will be kept on file with the court. If the case was not filed or was filed in a different county or state, the court will provide the participant with the original certificate which they will be responsible for filing in the appropriate county.
Other Acceptable Court Sponsored Seminars
Listed below are the numbers of some local courts which are acceptable.
- Ninth Judicial District - 770-535-6909
- Cobb County - 770-528-1809
- Dekalb County - 404-371-4953
- Fulton County - 404-730-4618 (also offers seminar in spanish)
Gwinnett Coalition (Web Site)
