Illinois Central College Children First Program
Please contact ICC at 309-690-6900, to register for these classes. This is the only approved class for all cases pending in the 10th Circuit. Upon completion of the session, attendees will receive a certificate that must be filed with the court via eFileIL. Once ordered by the court, attendees must complete the entire four-hour course to receive a certificate.
If you have any further questions, please contact your attorney or call Court Administration at 309-672-6036. You may also use the portal to check the status of your case and to see your future court dates.
TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS
NOTICE TO PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN IN FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS
IF YOU, AS A PARENT TO A CASE, (PETITIONER or RESPONDENT) HAVE ONE OR MORE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18, THEN YOU, AS A PARENT, ARE MANDATED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "CHILDREN FIRST" EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM BEFORE FINALIZATION OF CUSTODY AND VISITATION ISSUES
Permanent custody and visitation issues will be determined only after both parents have attended the Children First Education Program. Participation in this program is mandated for parents of minors in Family Court proceedings in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
The goal of the Children First Program is to prepare parents for typical problems encountered during the proceedings process and help them be more aware of the needs of their children. Trained moderators lead the session and use videotaped dramas to initiate discussion about common situations.
The program is a four-hour session held at Illinois Central College, Peoria Campus - Hickory Hall (5407 N. University, Peoria). Evening and Saturday classes are available for your convenience. Participants must be present for the entire 4 hours. Late arrivals will not be admitted. At the completion of the session, attendees will receive a certificate to present to the court.
All participants must pre-register, complete a verification of income form, and pre-pay before attending. Fees are based on a sliding scale determined by your separate income and the number of children you help support. Parents may not attend sessions together. Please do not bring children or unregistered adults to the session. You can register by calling the Professional Development Institute (a division of Illinois Central College) at (309) 690-6900 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday or between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Please register early, as session size is limited.
Participants with disabilities who need special arrangements, such as interpreter services (manual or oral) or other types of assistance, should inform the Professional Development Institute when registering for the program.
The Professional Development Institute, a division of Illinois Central College, is an authorized licensee of the Children First Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, acting independently and not as an agent of the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois.