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Jon Dunn ReportingFor 16 years at the Matheson Courthouse, Commissioner Michael Evans has presided over thousands of divorce cases. He realized, what about the kids?
Michael Evans: "Children aren't necessarily ignored, but they're given a lot of misinformation, sometimes intentionally but I think always unintentionally they will convey some message to the kids that makes them more anxious about the proces or about specifcally court dates than they need to be."
So Evans created a pilot program, totally dependent upon volunteer time with kids between the ages of 9 and 12 with parents going through divorce could attend.
Michael Evans: "Most importantly, let them know it's not their fault, they're not the only kids going through it, there are lots of others that are experiencing the same feelings and emotions."
Evans has enlisted the help of a couple of local psychologists, and so far kids have said what you might think that they can't talk to their parents about the divorce, that the courtrooms scare them.
Michael Evans: "If the parents are having an argument and the child's name is mentioned or, 'I drove him last time, why can't you drive him this time?', that sort of thing, the child may feel as though, if they are not the cause, at least a contributing factor, and it's important that they not feel that way."
There is one class later this month which Evans thinks will be the last in this pilot program.
Michael Evans: "We were getting an overwhelming response for this, seeing it's the last class. I think we would be willing to consider teaching another, but it is a pilot program and the instructors have very selflessly dedicated their time; they simply can't do that without some compensation in the long term basis."
For the program to continue, Evans says they would need a little bit of money. And he does see a day where different classes for age groups from 6-15 years of age could take part, and who knows maybe it could become mandatory.
Michael Evans: "Mandating it is something only the legislature can do, but it is something that we're looking at."
Only one other state in America offers such a class.
The last class will take place on APril 29th from 9:45-12:15 at the Matheson Courthouse. If you are interested in attending, contact Rebecca Bunderson at 238-7802.
