Friend of the Court

SMILE

What is SMILE?

SMILE - Start Making It Liveable for Everyone - is an educational program for separating/divorced parents with children under the age of eighteen. It provides information to help parents better understand the effects of divorce.

It assists parents to understand the needs of their children. It helps parents learn what they can do to create a nurturing and safe environment so their children can recover from the divorce and feel good about themselves.

It provides information to prevent destructive game-playing that is so common among divorced couples and their children. It helps parents gain problem solving skills. It lets parents know they are not alone.

Why is SMILE important?

Divorce is a process over which children have no control. Children should not become its victims. When parents are under stress, it is harder to be in touch with their children's pain and anguish. It takes time, effort and planning on the part of parents to be able to provide for children's needs.

In the crisis of divorce, parents may put their children on hold while they attend to adult problems first. Sometimes separating/divorced parents find their roles and expectations are undefined and cloudy. If handled properly, divorce need not be devastating for children.

SMILE - Start Making It Liveable for Everyone - helps to soften the blows of divorce.

Topics Covered

The Grief Process
How Divorce Affects Children and Parents
Developmental Reactions to Divorce
Helping Children Adjust to Divorce

Where and When

A one-session, two-hour program held monthly.
Free

For parents who have recently filed for divorce. Parents receive an invitation letter from the Family Division judges telling them of the date, time and location.

For parents who are urged to attend the program by a Family Division judge.

For parents who have not received an invitation and want to attend. To confirm your attendance or to register for the program call the Calhoun County Extension Office at (616) 781-0823 or call toll free at (800) 561-4903 extension 0823, if you have a touch tone phone.

SMILE 2008 Dates

Evening sessions are held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Calhoun Intermediate School District in Rooms A & B. Daytime sessions are held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays at the Justice Center.

Date	Place
Tuesday - November 18	CISD
Tuesday - December 9	CISD

SMILE 2009 Dates

Evening sessions are held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Calhoun Intermediate School District. Daytime sessions are held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Justice Center - Room 480.

Date	Place
Tuesday - January 13	Justice Center
Tuesday - February 10	CISD
Tuesday - March 10	CISD
Tuesday - April 14	Justice Center
Tuesday - May 12	CISD
Tuesday - June 9	CISD
Tuesday - July 14	Justice Center
Tuesday - August 11	CISD
Tuesday - September 8	CISD
Tuesday - October 13	Justice Center
Tuesday - November 10	CISD
Tuesday - December 8	CISD

Locations

Marshall Location	Battle Creek Location
Calhoun Intermediate School District	Justice Center
17111 G Drive North	Courtroom 480
Marshall, MI 49068	161 E. Michigan Avenue
(One block north and east of 1-94, at exit 110)	Battle Creek, MI 49014