HUGS Program

HUGS is a four-hour educational seminar designed for separating or divorcing parents with minor children. HUGS sessions are highly interactive and encourage participant discussion. Presenters and participants discuss many issues relating to divorce and separation, including:

• Minimizing the impact of divorce or separation on children
• The developmental stages of childhood
• Divorce/separation as a growth stage
• The stages of grief
• The changing parental and marital roles
• Conflict management
• New relationships

• "I learned a lot in this class on how to deal with my situation."
• "The program was great -- I just wish I would have done it sooner."
• "I would recommend this program to anyone going through separation or divorce. It helped in a lot of different ways."
• "This program is thought-provoking and insightful. I think it is a very worthwhile program, most of all for the benefit of the children. But, also for resolving conflict through a very difficulty period."

The HUGS Program is administered by the Office of Outreach and Professional Services for the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas. More information is available by contacting the Office of Outreach and Professional Services (phone: 814-269-2099; e-mail: upjreach@pitt.edu).

The Office of Outreach and Professional Services would like to acknowledge the vision and support of Judge F. Joseph Leahey and the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas in the development of this program.