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Parent Education

Family Resolution Services offers a Court-mandated class called “Helping Your Children Cope with Family Change.”  The class provides information to parents about legal issues, child development, co-parenting strategies, conflict resolution and community resources. The class is required by the Court (ORS 3.425) for all people who are parties in a domestic relations (family law) case that decides the custody of a child.  We offer one or more Zoom-platform virtual classes per week, either on a Thursday daytime (9:30 AM - 1:00 PM), Thursday evening (5:30 - 9:00 PM) or Saturday (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM).

As of 2023, if you have ever previously taken the Multnomah County parent education class, you do not need to take it again, even if you have a new court case, unless a judge specifically orders you to re-take it.  Please contact our office if you took the class for another case and would like a copy of the certificate sent to you.

There is a $70 registration fee for the class.  If you think you may qualify to have your fee waived or reduced based on low income, please apply here: Parent Education Fee Waiver Form. We generally let you know within 48 hours whether you qualify.  Please don't pay the registration fee while your fee waiver is in process as we have a no-refund policy.

You can register for a virtual parent education class and pay the $70 non-refundable per-person registration fee by filling out this form: Parent Education Registration Webform.   If you have trouble filling out the form or need special accommodations, including free language interpretation, have questions or concerns, or if you are not able to use the Zoom platform call 503-988-3037 and leave a detailed message including your name and phone number.  We will call you back within about a day. 

Due to the online registration process, you might end up in the same Parent Education class as your co-parent.  If you would prefer NOT to be in the same class, please let us know by email multco.parented@multco.us or phone 503-988-3037.  We will gladly reschedule you to another class with no additional fee.  We cannot share information about when someone else is attending class.

The companion booklet to the class includes a great deal of information about child development, co-parenting and the legal process of separating/divorce, as well as available local resources, websites and booklists you may find useful. You can download it here:

Parents Helping Children Cope With Family Change Booklet (6.22 MB)

Policy for rescheduling a parenting class

It is free to reschedule a parent education class for any reason so long as you notify Family Resolution Services (FRS) at least 24 hours before your scheduled class time.  You can notify FRS by phone – (503) 988-3037 (leave a message if necessary) or by email: multco.parented@multco.us. A maximum of two free reschedules are allowed per person.

  • “No Shows.” If you do not attend your class as scheduled, you will be charged $70 to reschedule unless you notify FRS 24 hours before the class starts. The $70 fee will apply even if your registration fees were waived.
  • “Same Day Reschedules.” If you contact us to reschedule your class less than 24 hours before the class, the reschedule fee is $25.
  • Class fees are NOT refundable.

Get information about mediation

  • Mediation is free and available to both voluntary and court-ordered parents regarding child custody and parenting time issues in Multnomah County. Get more information about mediation here.

Find out what to expect in court

Access low-cost Oregon legal resources

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