Parenting Education Classes

Eighth District Parent Education Required in Contested Custody or Parenting Time Cases:

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 518.157 enacted in 1998, parents involved in contested custody or parenting time cases, regardless of whether a marriage relationship exists, must complete a minimum of eight hours of parent education. In all other proceedings involving custody, support, or parenting time, the court has discretion to order the parents to attend a parent education program. The courses attended by parents must meet the Parent Education Minimum Standards.

Starting August 1, 2021, unless otherwise ordered, participation in a parent education course must begin within 30 days of the first filing in the case and prior to an Initial Case Management Conference, if one is scheduled.

Currently approved courses:

In-Person

Bridging Parental Conflict offered by the Bridging Center, Edina, (612) 440-4252

Parents Forever In-Person Courses offered by
- Parenting Resource Center, Austin, (507) 437-8330 (no child care available)
- True Foundation Counseling Services, Brooklyn Park, (763) 657-1551.
- Fergus Falls Community Education, Fergus Falls, (218) 998-0544.
- Health Resources, Detroit Lakes, (218) 844-8822
- Friends Against Abuse, International Falls, (218) 285-7220 (no child care available)
- Roseau County Northwest Mediation Services, Roseau, (218) 425-3106.
- Ann Mozey, Stillwater, (651) 644-1000 (no child care available)

Live Video Conferencing:

Minnesota Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course offered by the Bay Brooke Center for Independence and Wellness, (727) 827-7890
Bridging Parental Conflict offered by the Bridging Center (on Zoom), (612) 440-4252
Parents Forever Live Stream Course offered by Health Resources, Detroit Lakes, (218) 844-9922

Online Courses:

Children In Between Online Parent Education Course offered by the Center for Divorce Education, (877) 874-1365
Co-Parenting Into The Future, 6-hour course, (discount code for Minnesotans: MN) (832) 643-5908, (disponible en español, curso de 6 horas aprobado solamente, código de descuento para residentes de Minnesota: MN), (832) 643-5908
Certevia MN Parenting and Divorce offered by Certevia Education Programs, (800) 767-8193
Impact-Based Parent Education offered by Mediation Works North, Inc., (218) 263-7307
Minnesota Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course by the Bay Brooke Center for Independence and Wellness, (727) 827-7890
Online Parenting Programs, (disponible en espanol), (works best with Chrome or Foxfire browser) (866) 504-2883
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class (Clase de Crianza Compartida/Divorcio)
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class (+) (Clase de Crianza Compartida/Divorcio Plus (+))
Parents Forever (8-hour course approved only), offered by the University of Minnesota, (612) 626-3958; parentsforever@umn.edu
Two Families Now Online Co-Parenting and Divorce Class offered by Trifoia