It teaches parents about:
- Children's developmental stages and how these relate to divorce;
- The emotional impact of a dissolution of marriage or a separation on children;
- Identifying the difference between "normal" grief reactions and more concerning behaviors, and finding resources;
- The effect on children of parental conduct including long distance parenting;
- Strategies for better co-parenting during and after divorce or family separation;
- Custody, parenting time and shared parenting plans;
- Mediation and conflict resolution;
- Additional supportive resources.
When are classes held?
How long is the class?
Is childcare provided?
How many people are there?
Who teaches the class?
Where is the class held?
When do I register?
What is the cost?
Are waivers available?
What if I have to cancel a class I registered for?
Is the class mandatory?
Do I have to take the same class as the other parent?
What about domestic violence?
What if there is a restraining order between us?
Are the services confidential?
How will the Court know I've attended?
Can I smoke in the building?
Do I need to bring anything?
How do I register for a class?
When are classes held?
The program is held four to five times per month, on Wednesday evenings. We usually book 1-2 weeks in advance.
How long is the class?
This is a one-day, 3 1/2 hour class, held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. The class generally takes two breaks. You must attend the entire class to receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Is childcare provided?
Childcare is not provided during the class. Please make alternate arrangements for your children.
How many people are there?
Classes are usually 25-32 people.
Who teaches the class?
Each class is taught by two Parent Education Trainers. All CCRS Parent Education Trainers come from a variety of backgrounds in which their educational, occupational and life experiences lend them knowledge of children and divorce, and an ability to teach that knowledge to parents.
Where is the class held?
Classes will be held at 2051 Kaen Road, Room 369, Oregon City.
When do I register?
Resolution Services staff can register you for the class at any time during business hours. You may register and take the class before or after you have filed for your divorce or other action. Please be mindful that if you have an upcoming hearing, we book 1-2 weeks in advance, and plan accordingly.
What is the cost?
The Parent Education Program fee is $75.00 for each participant. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. This fee is nonrefundable.
Are waivers available?
Participants may be eligible for a fee waiver for the Parent Education Program, if the party presents a verified affidavit of indigency to the Court and it is granted by the Court. Please speak with Resolution Services staff if you think you may be eligible for a waiver.
What if I have to cancel a class I registered for?
Resolution Services requires at least 24 hours notice of cancellation. Canceling with at least 24 hours notice allows us to make the space available for another participant. If you do not show for a scheduled class, or call to cancel with less than 24 hour notice, you will be assessed a $75 reschedule fee when you register for a new class.
Is the class mandatory?
All parties to an annulment, dissolution (divorce), legal separation, custody or visitation action, or post-decree litigation involving custody or visitation, where the interest of a child under the age of 18 is involved, are required to attend the class. See ORS 3.425 and SLR 8.015 (PDF) for more information. Clackamas County Resolution Services does not have authority to waive the class requirement. If you wish to request a waiver of the class requirement you can discuss this with your attorney or the judge hearing your case.
Do I have to take the same class as the other parent?
You are not required to attend the same class as the other parent. At registration, CCRS staff asks each person if they would prefer to be in a separate class. If either party wishes to be in a separate class from the other, we schedule them separately. Further, if a restraining order or domestic violence has occurred between the parties in the last year, parties must attend separate classes.
What about domestic violence?
Resolution Services is committed to client safety. Staff conducts an initial screening with each registrant at time of registration, to determine the presence of domestic violence and/or restraining orders between the parties, and to take steps to protect the safety of the participants. If there has been domestic violence between the parties at any time within the last 12 months, CCRS will schedule parties in separate classes. Participants are encouraged to share any concerns they have about their own or another person's safety with CCRS staff.
What if there is a restraining order between us?
If there is a current restraining order between the parties, or if there has been a restraining order between the parties at any time within the last 12 months, CCRS will schedule parties in separate classes.
Are the services confidential?
Participation in the Parent Education class is a matter of public record and therefore is not protected by confidentiality. However, in the interest of client safety, Resolution Services will not provide the future class date that a participant has registered for to any person other than the participant.
How will the Court know I've attended?
At the end of the class, the staff person will give you the original Certificate of Attendance when you hand in your Evaluation Form.
For parties who have an action in Clackamas County, you are responsible for taking the original Certificate of Attendance to the Clerk of the Court. Parties who have an action in another county are responsible for taking the original Certificate of Attendance to the Clerk of the Court in the appropriate jurisdiction. If you have a court date in the very near future, you may wish to take a copy of the certificate to the court yourself as well.
Can I smoke in the building?
Smoking is not permitted in the building. You may smoke outside the building during the breaks.
Do I need to bring anything?
You will be provided a copy of the Program Manual, which is yours to keep. The manual contains information covered in class as well as additional resources. Please feel free to help yourself to any of the brochures available at the check-in desk.
How do I register for a class?
Click here.