| KIDSHARE
An Educational Introduction
for Children Experiencing Changes Due to Separation and Divorce
The primary focus of the class
is to help your child understand changes occurring in his or her
family due to separation and/or divorce. The children learn to identify
and express feelings about divorce, learn ways they can solve problems
and gain a sense of hope for themselves and their families. They
learn their parents are divorcing each other, not their children.
Hands on activities and group discussions help increase your child’s
awareness of his or her feelings. Where:
Facilitated by T.L.C. Community Health Services, Inc.
Somerset Building, 11674 Somerset
Avenue, Princess Anne, MD 21853 Cost:
$25.00 per 6 hour seminar per person, payable at the time
of classes.
Registration:
Please call (410) 651-4618 for scheduling and payment arrangements.
What: Topics
will include:
- The emotional impact of
divorce on children and parents
- Changes in the parent-child
relationship including discipline
- Transitions between households
- Communication, conflict
resolution and coping skills
- Developmental changes and
stages of child development
- Efforts to strengthen and
encourage family interaction
Co-Sponsored by: Three Lower Counties
Community Serices, Inc.
Family
Support Services for Somerset County Circuit Court - Karen R. Brimer,
Coordinator A
certificate will be issued to you after successfully completing
the six-hour educational seminar and a copy will be mailed and filed
in the Somerset County Clerk’s Office.
SOMERSET
COUNTY PARENTING PLUS + PROGRAM
What: Topics will
include:
Understanding
yourself and your child
Understanding
beliefs and feelings
Encouraging
your child and yourself to communicate
Listening
and talking to your child
Helping
children cooperate
Discipline
that makes sense
Choosing
your approach to discipline
Time: The seven part
seminar is offered four times per year from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
every Tuesday. Please arrive promptly at 6:00 p.m. Date:
Scheduled by the Family Services Coordinator
Where: Seton
Center
Facilitated by Eastern Shore
Psychological Services
30632 Hampton Avenue
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Referral Source:
Somerset County Circuit Court,
Somerset Department of Social
Services, Self referral
Parents in need of enhancing
parental skills
Fee: None
Registration:
Please call Karen Brimer at (410) 651-4618 for scheduling.
Co-Sponsored by:
Family Services for Somerset County Circuit Court
Somerset County Department of
Social Services
A certificate will be issued
to you after successfully completing a seven session seminar to
the referring agency.
CUSTODY/VISITATION
MEDIATION
What is Custody/Visitation
Mediation?
Parents are in the best position
to make fair decisions for their children regarding custody and/or
visitation. It is a primary goal of the Maryland Judiciary to encourage
families to resolve domestic disputes without court intervention.
A court-approved mediator with 40 hours of basic training, 20 hours
of domestic training and required continued education, will help
to facilitate an agreement between the parties.
For those parents who are separating,
we recognize that this is a stressful time for all persons involved.
As you know, your role and responsibilities as parents continue
regardless of your marital relationship. For those parents who have
never been married, for those who are seeking a modification in
their ongoing parenting plan or those who are otherwise struggling
with a dispute over parenting or related issues, this can be a stressful
time as well. In this time of stress, as parents or those responsible
for a child or children, you need to establish workable and effective
plans for meeting the needs of your child(ren).
We believe that you know and
understand the needs of your child(ren) better than anyone else,
and judges, masters and court staff cannot deal with these needs
as well as parents. What we can do, however, is assist you in establishing
arrangements that will help your child(ren) and keep both of you
involved in the life of your child(ren).
The decisions you make will
be among the most important that you, as a parent, will ever make.
The future of your child(ren) will be determined by your wise, thoughtful,
loving and deliberate involvement in this service. We urge you to
think about the Mediation Service in this way, put the interests
of your child(ren) first and commit yourselves to resolving your
personal disagreements.
At the scheduling conference
before the Master of Domestic Relations, you will choose dates reasonably
convenient with your schedule for this mediation. The mediator will
be chosen by the Court. Two sessions are suggested but if the parties
reach an agreement, one session may be sufficient. The costs of
mediation are to be prorated between the parties. Full payment shall
be made to the mediator at the beginning of the session unless other
payment arrangement have been made with the Family Services Coordinator,
(410) 651-4618.
PROPERTY/CHILD SUPPORT/ALIMONY
MEDIATION
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| The who, what and where
of Property/Child Support Mediation |
Who?
The mediator is NOT a
judge, but helps the parties decide on their own how to resolve
their differences. There is a limit to how many mediation sessions
may be ordered by the court. For example, a judge may only order
two sessions, and then later order two more sessions if deemed necessary.
It is important for the mediators to have financial statements from
both parties before the sessions are held. The mediator is appointed
by the court from a qualified list of court approved mediators.
There is more success when each party has attended co-parenting
classes prior to mediation.
What?
Mediation is an alternative
method of dispute resolution available to parties experiencing separation
or divorce. The primary method of dispute resolution has been litigation,
in which the separating or divorcing parties are adversaries and
a judge or master makes the decisions for the parties. Mediation
differs - because the parties work together to decide what is best
for them and their financial situation. The topic is restricted
to property, alimony and child support issues only.
Where?
The process is conducted in
the mediator’s office. When an agreement is reached, the mediator
must prepare a written draft of the agreement and send copies of
the agreement to the parties and their attorneys. The agreement
may be approved or modified by the parties. The mediator then submits
the agreement to the court for approval and entry as an order. At
that time, the agreement may be incorporated into the divorce decree.
When an agreement has not been reached, the case will return to
the court for a decision by the master or judge. The mediator is
forbidden to reveal to the judge anything the parties discussed
during the mediation sessions and may not be called as a witness.
Cost?
Mediation costs are usually
based on an hourly rate or a flat fee as determined in the court
order. Although there is a cost for mediation, it is possible that
the overall cost of the separation or divorce will be less expensive
if pursued through mediation rather than litigation.
The court may not order mediation
in any case where there is a genuine threat of physical or sexual
abuse of one of the parties or the parties’ children.
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION
The following resources are
referred by the family support services coordinator for domestic
violence case:
Life Crisis Center, Inc.
P.O Box 387
Salisbury, MD 21803
(410) 749-HELP
(800) 422-0009
Fax: (410) 548-9496
Contact: Ms. Michelle
Hughes, Executive Director
Ms. Wendy Bettis, Domestic Violence
Counselor & Therapist
Ms. Eartha Harris, D.V. Coordinator
Shelter, food, anger management
classes, counseling and support are offered. If the Life Crisis
Center is contacted before the Petitioner goes to court, a counselor
will accompany the client to complete forms in the Clerk’s office
and offer support at the Ex Parte hearing. If an Ex Parte Order
is granted, the petitioner is referred to Family Services.
The coordinator offers options to consider for the Protective Order
hearing. A list of the Somerset County Bar Association, Self
Help Legal Program or counseling.
Self Help Legal Program
is offered to the petitioner after the Ex Parte Hearing. An attorney
is available every Tuesday at the Somerset County Circuit Courthouse
Annex in Princess Anne, Maryland, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The
family services coordinator will help you with the in-take process.
Please know the correct physical address and/or mailing address
of the respondent when filing.
Judge Daniel M. Long will refer
domestic violence cases to Family Services to explain terms discussed
in Court during the Ex parte hearing and offer services for the
Protective Order hearing. A list of Somerset
County Bar Association members is offered when needed.
Contact: Ms. Karen R. Brimer,
Family Services Coordinator at (410) 651-4618.
CHILD
CUSTODY INVESTIGATION/HOME STUDY
Please let me help clarify your
questions regarding the above topic:
Why has an investigation
been ordered?
The court needs the ability
to identify and to assist the family effectively regarding allegations
of abuse and neglect. For example, the issues could include substance
or alcohol abuse, physical abuse, mental health issues or poor living
conditions for the child(ren).
When is an investigation
ordered?
Scheduling Conference for:
Absolute/limited divorce
Modification of custody
Modification of visitation
Cases involving what is in the
best interest of the child(ren)
Who conducts the home study?
Family Services for Somerset
County Circuit Court submits the order to:
Department of Social
Services for Somerset County or appropriate county
Att: Ms. Jenny Roser
30397 Mt. Vernon Road
Princess Anne, MD 21853
(410) 677-4300
What to expect during the home
study process:
- Upon payment of the home
study fee, the case will be assigned to a social worker who will
contact each party by phone or letter.
- The social worker will make
home visits and interview occupants of the residence.
- The social worker will contact
references, you will be asked to provide other professionals as
resources, for example, teachers, doctors and day care providers.
A criminal background check will be obtained.
- The social worker will be
looking into areas such as your abilities as a parent to meet
the needs of the children concerned, your living arrangements,
and ability to financially support your family.
- The Social Worker will submit
a written report to be filed with the Court.
COURT
APPOINTED ATTORNEY FOR MINOR CHILD Pursuant
to Nagle v. Hooks, 296 Md. 123,460 A.2d 49 (1983)
Primary Focus-Determine
Custody of Children
A court-appointed attorney
conducts an investigation with the parties, their children and those
individuals having information that may be helpful to the court
in making a custody determination. The attorney may make a determination
and recommendation after pinpointing what is in the best interest
of the child and whose responsibility is primarily to the court.
The fee is determined
by the Court. The parties send the payment to the Clerk of the Court
and it is placed in the Registry of the Court until a further Order
of Court is filed to pay the appointed attorney’s fees.
The following issues related
to the child(ren) are addressed:
- Information about child(ren)
- School background
- Day care
- Friends/playmates
- Social activities
- Religious training
- Daily living patterns
- Physical and mental health
- Personality and temperament
- Child’s discipline and
chores
- Mother and Father’s activities
with child(ren)
- Child’s relationship with
parents
- Child’s attitude with
parents
- Child’s attitude toward
parent’s extended relationships
- Other relevant facts,
including educational and medical records
The Attorney appointed for the
minor child may not speak to the parties without the permission of
their respective attorneys and the attorneys for the parties may not
communicate without the child(ren)'s permission of the Attorney representing
the child. The
Attorney may participate in any hearing regarding custody, visitation
and child support matters. The Best Interest Attorney may also issue
subpoenas and call witnesses when it is deemed appropriate and the
Attorney believes it reflects the best interest of the child(ren).
SUBSTANCE
ABUSE EVALUATION
If you have
been court ordered to have a substance abuse evaluation -
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Why
me?
Where
do I go?
Will
they take my child(ren) away from me?
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Please let this information
answer your questions.
Why me?
Substance abuse services derive
from the court’s interest in protecting children. When substance
abuse becomes an acknowledged problem, the court determines that
a trained clinical drug counselor evaluates you, the litigant, for
drug abuse and drug dependence in circumstances where a judge or
master is concerned about a parent’s drug use. In addition to performing
the evaluation and reporting to the court, the substance abuse counselor
refers the family members to treatment and monitors compliance with
the court order.
Where do I go?
Somerset County Circuit Court
refers clients who have been court ordered for substance abuse evaluation
to:
Att: Mr. Craig Stofko, Director
of Behavioral Health
Somerset County Health Department
30500 Somerset Avenue
Princess Anne, MD 21853
(443) 523-1780
Will they take my child(ren)
away from me?
No one but the judge or master
can make that ruling. The substance abuse evaluation is designed
to focus a coordinated and comprehensive effort to attack substance
abuse and addiction. The evaluation and recommendation report are
filed with the court regarding your treatment plan. Your attendance
and random urine screening are taken into consideration.
Can I obtain substance/alcohol
abuse counseling when self-referred?
Yes, contact the Somerset
County Health Department listed above or:
Warwick Manor Outpatient Services
220A East Main Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
Telephone (410) 860-9600
SUPERVISED
VISITATION/MONITORED EXCHANGE
If I am ordered by the court
to have supervised visitation or monitored exchange - where do I
go?
Lower Shore Family Center
Focus: The
center offers a safe and neutral location for divorced or separated
non-custodial parents living in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester
Counties to exchange or visit their children and to rebuild a healthy
parent-child relationship. The purpose is to supervise and objectively
report back to the referring judge.
Location: 1001C
Eastern Shore Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804
Hours of Operation:
Every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m.
- 7:30 p.m. - Supervised Visitation/Monitored Exchange
Weekend hours:
Friday from 5:30 p.m. -
7:30 p.m.- Supervised Visitation/Monitored Exchange
Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m. - Supervised Visitation
Sunday from 1 p.m. -4:30 p.m
- Supervised Visitation
Sunday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. -
Monitored Exchange
Holidays will not
change the schedule.
Referral Sources - Order
of the Court for the Tri-County area and Department of Social Services
Staff - Master level
licensed professional to serve as Program Director and visitation
coordinator, Level 1 licensed professional staff person and a law
enforcement professional (off duty ) - all paid positions.
Background checks and additional training will be conducted for
all staff.
Liability - Insurance
and other liability issues (professional liability) will be covered
under Life Crisis, Inc.
Program Funding - Family
Services for the Circuit Courts of Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester
Counties, Department of Social Services, Life Crisis Center, Inc.,
Local Management Boards of the Tri-County area, and grants.
Fee - Supervised Visitation
- $20.00 per visit, paid by the visiting parent
Monitored Exchange - $5.00 per exchange, paid by the visiting
parent
Same Day Exchange (no overnight) - $4.00 per exchange, paid
by the visiting parent.
Payment is due when the child
is picked up.
Handicapped accessible.
Committee Members :
Michelle Hughes, Executive Director
- Life Crisis Center, Inc.
Cary Knopp - Assistant Director,
Somerset County Department of Social Services
Anne Turner - Family Support
Services Coordinator for Worcester County Circuit Court
Jim Fineran - Family Support
Services Coordinator for Wicomico County Circuit Court
Karen Brimer - Family Support
Services Coordinator for Somerset County Circuit Court
Program Director & staff
of Lower Shore Family Center
Specific Guidelines
- Procedures and rules for
the family should initially be strict, it is easier to lessen
restrictions then increase.
- In-take assessment process
is completed before the services are utilized; driver’s license
number, employment, medical problems, photos, family history and
release form are signed should an agency need information (ex.
D.S.S., Court, attorney).
- Separate space is needed
for a waiting parent and a visiting parent but time can separate
if space is limited.
- The following procedure
is used for Monitored Exchange:
Non-custodial parent arrives
15 minutes early
Custodial parent brings children
at designated time
Both parents sign in at different
times and areas
Custodial parent will give
any necessary information the non-custodial parent should know
regarding medications, school, etc.
Transport down the hall to
non-custodial parent, custodial parent can leave
15 minutes must lapse before
the non-custodial parent can leave with the child/ren
The process is reversed for
pick-up
Observations are recorded
- The following procedure
is used for Supervised Visitation:
Non-custodial parent arrives
15 minutes early and is assigned to a room for the visit
Custodial parent brings child/ren
at designated time
Both parents sign in at different
times and areas
Children and staff member go
to the assigned room to visit with non-custodial parent for designated
time
Staff member facilitates activities
for the first half of the session and “relaxed” time for the last
half of the visit
Observations are recorded
- If any member of the staff
suspects drug and/or alcohol use prior to the visit or exchange,
the visit will be canceled and notification will be sent to the
referring agency. No inappropriate behavior will be tolerated.
No further visits will be arranged once visitation has been terminated.
- A maximum of 2 hours per
visit, unless, otherwise specified by the Program Director.
If at any time a Center staff member determines the visit should
be stopped, he/she is empowered by the Courts to do so.
- The Managing Director will
be responsible for the staff, scheduling, reporting and general
programmatic issues.
- There will be NO exchange
of any material that has not been approved by the Center.
For example, no money, candy or notes will be exchanged.
Presents are allowed on specific gift giving days only.
These gifts must be unwrapped and approved by the Center prior
to your visit. Gifts will leave the Center with Child.
- A staff member will be present
at all times and will accompany the child to the bathroom if needed.
- Court cases may not be discussed
at the visit with the child/ren or any staff member.
- Promises or talk of future
visits will not be allowed.
- No smoking is allowed in
the library or the Visitation Center. No one will be permitted
to leave the building to smoke once the supervised visitation
is taking place.
- It will be the responsibility
of the parties to contact the Program Director to find out if
the Center is closed due to weather. A doctor’s excuse is
expected when a visit does not take place.
- There will be NO provoking,
fighting with, swearing at, or physically disciplining the child/ren.
If this behavior occurs, the visit will end and the offending
person will be asked to leave.
- If required for continuity
of care, a release of information form will be available.
- Contact Program Director
of LSFC, at Life Crisis, Inc. - 410-749-0771 between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday only.
For cancellations only, call 410-749-HELP(4357) hotline.
- The Center WILL NOT make
exceptions to the rules and regulations.
- Interpreters for the hearing
impaired will be arranged by the referring agency.
- Please consider your child’s
feeding schedule before the visit occurs.
- All staff members of the
program can submit a written evaluation in lieu of a court appearance.
Contact
for more details:
Karen R. Brimer, Family Services
Coordinator for Somerset County (410) 651-4618
Anne Turner, Family Services
Coordinator for Worcester County (410)632-5638
Jim Fineran, Family Services
Coordinator for Wicomico County (410)548-7107
SELF
HELP LEGAL PROGRAM
The weekly program provides support
and assistance to self-represented litigants with legal advice when
completing forms and the filing process. Many litigants who decide
to represent themselves will at some point benefit from knowledge
of the courtroom procedures and best practices at the time of the
merits hearing. The attorney will see a litigant on a first come,
first serve basis, as many times as required to prepare them for
trial. No phone contact with the attorney is permitted.
What is the definition of
"Litigants"?
Black’s Law Dictionary
give the following definition:"To settle a dispute or seek relief
in a court of law; the act of carrying on a suit in a law court;
to prosecute or defend by pleading, evidence, and debate in a court."
Each Tuesday of the month
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Self Help Legal Program
Somerset County Circuit Court
11774 Somerset Avenue
Princess Anne, MD
handicapped entrance
A lawyer will be available to
eligible clients for free consultation on how to represent yourself
and complete forms for:
| Divorce |
Domestic Violence |
| Custody |
Name Change |
| Visitation |
Adoption |
| Modification of Child
Support |
Trial Preparation |
TRUANCY
REDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM
Maryland law requires that any child
between the ages of 5 and 16 attend school on a regular basis. The
objective of the Program will focus on finding the underlying reasons
for truancy, refer families to services and interventions that will
improve their overall welfare not just for school attendance and
partner with the local community to involve them in finding solutions
and sustaining positive strides with the students and families involved
with the Court.
The Board of Education files a petition
with the Circuit Court about a truant student, the truant student
and their parent/guardian are summoned to appear before the Court.
The Court reviews records and gathers information from the Board
of Education, the student, and the student's parent/guardian and
orders the student to attend school and the family is referred for
services, as needed. Hearings are held monthly to discuss progress,
verify compliance and address issues that may arise.
If a child is under the age of 12,
the petition is filed with the Somerset County State's Attorney's
office. A criminal charge is filed against the parent/guardian.
JUVENILE
DRUG COURT
The program is targeted for nonviolent
youths who reside in Somerset County, have identified a substance
abuse problem and are between the ages of 14 - 17 years and 6 months
old. The four phase program will maximize and expand existing community
resources to focus on individual participants enrolled in the program
and involve the entire family in the process of changing negative
behaviors into positive life-enhancing experiences. The Program
combines incentives and sanctions to assist the youth in eliminating
substance abuse.
CHILD
ADVOCACY CENTER
The Center provides a child friendly
environment in which to interview victims of child abuse. The Advocacy
Center was formed through the collaborative efforts of county agencies
to minimize the child victim's trauma, strengthen cases for prosecution
and provide support to the child's non-offending family members.
Any child maltreatment should be reported to the local Department
of Social Services.
Family
Services HOME |
