Parents going through a divorce here have to complete the Connecticut Parenting Education Program unless excused by a judge from participating.
The program is designed to educate parents on the developmental stages of children, adjustment of children to parental separation, dispute resolution and conflict management for parents, guidelines for visitation, stress reduction in children and cooperative parenting.
Most of the feedback I get is that the program is worthwhile. Of course, like any type of educational course, you get what you put into it.
A few points:
Parents may attend together but are not required to do so.
Online courses do not fulfill the requirement since they do not provide interactive participation through questions and answers and role playing scenarios.
The Notice of Automatic Orders requires that parents complete the program within sixty days of the commencement of the case. However, I encourage parents to complete the program as soon as possible so they may put into play what they have learned.
Some judges are fining parents for not completing the class on time.
Completion of the Parenting Education Program is among the “best interest” factors a judge may consider when deciding custody and visitation issues.
Most of the agencies that offer the program will accommodate parent’s work schedules. In fact, many offer evening and weekend slots.
Here is the list of providers for the Program:
http://jud.ct.gov/Publications/fm151.pdf
Please contact me if you have questions about the Connecticut Parenting Education Program.