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First Judicial District Parent Education

First District Approval of Online Parent Education Courses (2019)

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. 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.

Available 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, (no child care available)
- True Foundation Counseling Services, Brooklyn Park, (763) 657-1551
- Health Resources, Detroit Lakes, (218) 844-8822
- Fergus Falls Community Education, Fergus Falls, (218) 998-0544
- Friends Against Abuse, International Falls, (218) 285-7220 (no child care available)
- Roseau County Northwest Mediation Services, Roseau,
- Ann Mozey, Stillwater, (651) 644-1000 (no child care available)

Live Video Conferencing:

Bridging Parental Conflict offered by the Bridging Center, Edina, (612) 440-4252
Minnesota Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course offered by the Bay Brooke Center for Independence and Wellness, (727) 827-7890
Parents Forever Live Stream Course offered by Health Resources, Detroit Lakes, (218) 844-8822

Online Courses:

Ability to Co-Parent offered by US Parent Class, (901) 443-6609 (can be used for phone calls or text messages)
Certevia MN Parenting and Divorce offered by Certevia Education Programs, (800) 767-8193
Children In Between offered by the Center for Divorce Education, (877) 874-1365
Co-Parenting Into The Future, 6-hour course approved only, (discount code for Minnesotans: MN), (disponible en español, curso de 6 horas aprobado solamente, código de descuento para residentes de Minnesota: MN), (832) 643-5908
Impact-Based Parent Education offered by Mediation Works North, Inc., (218) 263-7307
Minnesota Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course offered by the Bay Brooke Center for Independence and Wellness, (727) 827-7890
Online Parenting Programs, (866) 504-2883
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class
- Co-Parenting CARE Program
- 8-hour Co-Parenting CARE Program
Parents Forever Course offered by the University of Minnesota, (612) 626-3958 or email: parentsforever@umn.edu (note: email is the faster way to get a response).
Two Families Now Online Co-Parenting and Divorce Class offered by Trifoia
MN Co-Parenting offered by Positive Parenting Through Divorce, 1-866-778-3349