FOCIS Information for Parents Involved in a Divorce

WHAT IS FOCIS?
FOCIS stands for Focus On Children In Separation. FOClS is a divorce education class for parents, with children 17 years old and younger, who are getting a divorce in Jackson County, Missouri. Parents and children ages 5 through 17 years are required by the Court to attend FOClS. The class is provided to teach ways for parents and children to get through the divorce process with the least amount of emotional upset possible and to lessen problems that parents and children may have.

I GOT AN ORDER OF ATTENDANCE TO FOCIS WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Look at the back of the Order Of Attendance. You will see a list of FOClS classes with the times and places the class is offered. Pick the class time that works best for you. Call the number given for that of class and ask to schedule your attendance. You must call to schedule your attendance at least 48 hours before the class begins. If you have scheduled your attendance and then cannot go, you must let the provider know at least hours before the class begins to avoid being charged for the class. The FOCIS class provider will sign you up for the class and will answer any questions you may have about the class.

WHO IS Responsible FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING FOCIS?
If you are the custodial parent (the parent that the children live with most of the time), it is your responsibility to have the children attend FOClS

DO I HAVE TO GO TO FOCIS WITH THE OTHER PARENT?
No, it is not required that you and the other parent attend FOClS together. If both of you want to go together, call the FOCIS class provider and ask them to help you schedule for the same class. For reasons of safety, the class provider is obligated to be sure that this is what both parents really want. If you do not want to go to FOClS with the other parent, you should let the provider know this when you schedule your attendance.

AM I IN THE SAME CLASS AS MY CHILDREN?
The parent’s classes and children’s classes are held at the same time and place, but parents and children attend separate classes. Children attend class with other children who are about the same age. There are a few activities that parents and children may do together.

HOW LONG IS FOCIS?
FOClS is a four-hour class that is divided into two sessions. Each session is two hours long. The sessions are generally held a week apart.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN FOCIS AND WHAT WILL OUR CHILDREN LEARN?
You will learn how divorce can impact children and effective ways of helping your children through the divorce process. You will also learn the best ways to co-parent with your former spouse and how to keep your children out of adult issues after divorce Children are taught how divorce impacts them and their parents. They learn that divorce is not their fault. Children learn that good things can happen in a divorce.

WHAT IS THE COST OF FOCIS?
The fee for attending FOCIS is $46.00 for each parent. This fee covers the cost of all children involved. This fee pays for four hours of class for each parent and for each child. If your annual gross income is less than $15,000, you can go to FOCIS for a reduced fee of $23.00. If you qualify for a reduced fee, tell the FOCIS class provider when you schedule your attendance to FOCIS. The provider will explain to you what you need to know

HOW DOES THE COURT KNOW IF PARENTS AND CHILDREN HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE ORDER TO ATTEND FOCIS?
The FOCIS class teacher fills out a Certificate of Attendance after both sessions of the class have been completed. The class provider sends this Certificate to the Family Court, if you provide the case number and the location where your case is filed (Kansas City or Independence). If you do not provide this Information, you are responsible for filing the Certificate of Attendance with the Court yourself.

IS CASE DOCKETING AFFECTED BY FOCIS ATTENDANCE?
You and your children must attend FOCIS before your count date. If you and your children do not attend FOCIS, the Court may impose sanctions upon you.

WHAT IF MY CHILDREN REFUSE TO ATTEND FOCIS?
If the children live most of the time with you, you have the obligation to take the children to FOCIS. It is assumed that you, as the parent, have sufficient control of your children to have them attend school and also to attend FOCIS.

IS FOCIS TAUGHT IN LAUGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH?
Yes. A class in Spanish can be arranged. Interpreters for other languages and for American Sign Language can also be arranged. Call Domestic Relations Services at 881-6526, if you want more information about these services.

CAN PARENTS OR CHILDREN BE EXCUSED FROM ATTENDING FOCIS?
Yes, in exceptional circumstances, the Administrative Judge of the Family Court may excuse you and/or your children from attending FOCIS. A request to be excused from FOCIS must be addressed to: FOClS Program Coordinator, 3100 Main, Suite 304, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111. The request must be in writing and can be submitted by your attorney, or by yourself, if you do not have an attorney. It must include the names of the people involved, your case number, the specific reason as to why you are asking to be excused, and your return address.

FOCIS teaches parents and children positive ways to deal with the changes divorce brings to a family. Most FOCIS providers have two sessions that are one week apart. Both sessions must be attended to be in compliance with the court order. The parent the children live with most of the time is responsible for bringing children, 6 to 17 years of age, to class. The parent who brings the children attends an adult class while the children are in a children's class. Each parent pays a fee of $46.00 to attend FOCIS, which is paid before the first class session begins. A parent who earns less than $15,000 a year can pay a reduced fee of $23.00. To pay a reduced fee, you will be asked to sign a statement when you go to class to verify your income. Call the provider to register for FOCIS, at least 48 hours before the Class begins. If you have registered for FOCIS and then cannot attend, call the provider 24 hours before class begins to avoid being billed for the class. If you attend session one at a class and cannot attend session two, call the provider 24 hours before class begins or you will have to start over and pay the fee again. No one will be admitted late to class once class has begun.

FOCIS Class Provider:	First Christian Church
Location:	701 Northwest 15th Street, Blue Springs, Mo
Telephone:	(816) 229-8400
Class Days and Time:	Class one: Sessions 1 and 2 1st and 2nd Tue 6:00 - 8:00pm Class two: Sessions 1 and 2 3rd and 4th Sat 9:00 - 11:00am

FOCIS can also be taught in Spanish through Mattie Rhodes Counseling Center by calling 471-2536. Interpreters for other languages, including American Sign Language, can also be provided by calling Domestic Relations Services at 881-6526.