Parents Forever
Parents Forever
Are you facing a change in custody?
Co-parenting classes, which are facilitated by Human Development and Relationships Educators, are offered regularly. You can choose an in-person or online version to meet your needs. In-person courses are generally held every other month on Saturday mornings, at the Dunn County Government Center. Both online and in person classes use the same handbook ($20), which can be picked up from many local Extension offices.
Parents Forever ™ is an educational program for families experiencing:
- Divorce
- Separation of couples who share children
- Change in custody that involves shared custody (such as some foster or kin care situations)
Parents and other caregivers take a course like Parents Forever™ for several reasons. Usually, they fall into one or both situations:
- They were told to take a parent education course by their judge, court personnel or attorney.
- They are concerned about their children’s, or their own wellbeing after a family transition.
Parents Forever™ classes, facilitated by Human Development and Relationships Educators, are offered in two formats and is approved by many local courts. If you are not from Dunn County, and are court-ordered to take a co-parenting class, please check with your local family court to see if this class will meet their requirements.
In Person:
A four hour session is available in Dunn County at the Government Center, usually on the second Saturday of the month, from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. Please register using the link below.
- Upcoming 2025 Dates:
- Saturday, August 16th
- Saturday, October 18th
*PLEASE NOTE: In person classes must have more than two registrants. If the class is not going forward, registrants will be contacted by email and/or phone the week before the class, to see if they would like to us to move their registration to a digital or later in- person class.*
This is a good option for those that prefer more interactive learning, or for people without the ability to access online learning. If you need an interpreter or other special accommodations, please give us plenty of lead time in order to make the needed arrangements. We want to make sure you get the most out of this class!
In person sessions are held at the Dunn County Government Center, 3001 State Highway 12, East, Menomonie, WI 54751. The room number will be sent to you in a pre-session email.
Sign up for an in-person class.
Cost: $20 – includes Parents Forever handbook
*Cash or Money Order payable to: Extension Dunn County. You will need to pay and get your book from the Extension Office (cash or money order only). You will need get your book ahead of time. Please call if you need help finding a way to make this happen.
Virtual:
Several counties cooperate to offer an online version of the Parents Forever class, which lasts approximately 3 hours, from 6:00PM-9:00PM on the following Monday evenings:
- Upcoming 2025 Dates:
- July 10 (Note: this is a Thursday)
- September 15
- November 17
The online class requires good internet connection, plus camera and microphone, and a quiet place where you will not be interrupted. You may not be driving a car. If that sounds workable, please sign up for the online class using this link. These online courses are offered in cooperation with several regional Extension offices. The link for the course will come to you in a welcome email.
If you need an interpreter or other special accommodations, please give us plenty of lead time in order to make the needed arrangements. We want to make sure you get the most out of this class!
Cost: $20, includes Parents Forever handbook
*Cash or Money Order payable to: Extension Dunn County. You will need to get your class materials from the Extension Office. If needed, you can pay online and have your books shipped to you – the cost is $35. The shipping process can take over a week, so please contact us early. If you need to use a credit card, please contact Extension Barron County’s educator: missy.bablick@wisc.edu.
Please call Luisa at 715-231-6691 well ahead of the class if you prefer to pick up and pay at a different county. Not all counties have these materials, and offices have different hours of operation. We are happy to help you find a way to pay for this class and get the needed materials. Just give us a call!
There is also an approved self-paced 8 hour course through Extension University of Minnesota. The cost is $89.
Note: These are the 3 courses approved by the Dunn County Court. If you are from another county, be sure to check with your county’s family court officials to see if these options will work for you.
Parents Forever ™ has been approved by the Dunn County Court. It meets and exceeds expectations for court-mandated parent education in Dunn County. In Dunn County you have 3 options for satisfying the court-order, (1) attend the 4 hour live training in person, (2) complete the 3+ hour online course, or (3) choose the self-paced option. For all options, you will receive a certificate of completion after completing your course. This certificate is what you need to show your judge, family court staff, or attorney (if the course was court-ordered).
Do you have questions before you select an option? Please contact Luisa Gerasimo at 715-231-6690 (leave me a VM if you miss me) or email: luisa.gerasimo@wisc.edu.
