Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Focus on Kids is a program for separating and divorcing parents that was developed by MU faculty.

• It is offered in 36 Missouri counties (highlighted in yellow on the map)

• Over 28,000 Missouri parents have attended FOK since 1996

• It is conducted in cooperation with circuit courts

The purpose of FOK is to help parents learn how to nurture and support their children during and after separation and divorce.

The curriculum for the 2.5 hour class was developed in 1996 by faculty and later revised in 2006 by graduate students and faculty.

Specific goals include:

• Encouraging parents to resolve conflicts about children without putting their children in the middle
• Encouraging both parents to remain actively involved in their children's lives
• Providing suggestions for and information about helpful childrearing behaviors that are developmentally appropriate
• Providing information on self-help groups, human service agencies, and other resources