Parent Education Programs

Parent Education Required in Contested Custody or Parenting Time Cases

The Sixth District is comprised of Carlton County, Cook County, Lake County, and St. Louis County (Duluth, Hibbing, and Virginia)

Order: Sixth District Approval of Parent Education Courses (2021)

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
- 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, (218) 425-3106
- Ann Mozey, Stillwater, (651) 644-1000 (no child care available)
- Parenting Enrichment Classes, St. Cloud YMCA, (320) 230-3625

Live Video Conferencing

Bridging Parental Conflict, offered by the Bridging Center (on Zoom), (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

Certevia MN Parenting and Divorce, offered by Certevia Education Programs, (800) 767-8193
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), (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, LLC, (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, (disponible en español), (works best with Chrome or Foxfire browser), (866) 504-2883
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class (Clase de Crianza Compartida/Divorcio)
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class Plus (+) (Clase de Crianza Compartida/Divorcio Plus (+))
Parents Forever Online Course, (8-hour course approved only), offered by the University of Minnesota, (612) 626-3958 (Kate Welshons)
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.
Happy Co-Parenting, offered by Jacob's Ladder Family Services (763) 443-3385
Minnesota Parent Education Class, offered by USParentClass.com (on-demand only)