This Class is Two Required Classes in One:
- The Parenting Class tells you about children and divorce and children’s needs at different ages, to help you make decisions in your children’s best interest.
- The Mediation Education Class explains mediation and how to prepare.
- The two classes are offered at the same time, for your convenience, in all but one of the classes below.
More Information:
- Who is required to attend: People who have one or more minor children (under 18) involved in their legal case.
- Do you need to attend together? No.
- What you’ll learn:
- the needs of children of separated parents at different ages;
- parenting skills for divorced or separated parents;
- the financial responsibilities of parents following divorce; and
- how to prepare for mediation.
- Time: 4 or 4 1/2 hours, depending on the provider.
- When: Within 45 days of the date the petition was filed and before mediation.
- Where: With one of the providers below. You only attend ONE session. It includes both classes. All classes are currently offered by zoom.
- Cost: Varies based on the provider. Please check all of their websites for available dates and registration fee info.
- Requirements for reduced fee: If you can provide proof of income by showing your Food Stamps, SSI or Title XIX card or if you can provide proof that your attorney is not charging you for services, you are eligible for a reduced class fee of $20. Otherwise, you pay the full fee of $60. This policy took effect February 1, 2014.
- Class for children: If your case is filed in Linn or Johnson County, your minor children also need to take a class. Click here for more information.
Class Providers authorized in the Sixth Judicial District:
This class is currently offered by the agencies indicated below.
- Co-Parenting for Resilience, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Classes offered in real-time, online, or via a self-paced online course. Please visit the Co-Parenting for Resilience website (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/coparenting) to view the class schedule and fees. You may register online.
- End the Tug of War in Divorce: classes are offered in self-paced online or real-time online via Zoom. Please visit EndTheTug.org to register. Financial aid for low-income families is available; please complete the online request form at EndTheTug.org/low-income to get a reduced fee. For any questions, please call 712-899-4133.
- Family Development Associates: Classes offered in real-time, online. Please visit the Family Development Associates website (http://family-development.org/) to see their class schedule and fees. You may register online. For financial aid call: 1-800-261-5097.
- Parenting Solutions: Classes offered in real-time, online. Please visit the Parenting Solutions website (https://parenting-solutions.org/) to see their class schedule and fees. You may register online. For financial aid call: 1-877-665-2120.