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.
