An evaluation of a new post-separation and divorce parenting program

The Parenting Orders Program was developed in Australia to provide post-separation and divorce psycho-educational and support services to parents with disputes or conflicts. This article describes the history and development of the Program in Australia, and discusses the findings of an evaluation of one of these programs. The Gordoncare family welfare agency was the first to implement the program model in Victoria. Their outcome evaluation project examined the characteristics of the participating client families, and the clients' perceived value and use of the program. The findings supported the program's social and financial worth as an alternative to repeated court hearings.