Parent Education

Virginia Code Sections 16.1-278.15 and 20-103, as amended, require parties in cases where the custody, visitation, or support of a child is contested to show proof that they have recently attended (or soon will attend) an educational seminar conducted by a qualified person or organization approved by the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). Parties under this section shall include natural or adoptive parents of the child, or any person with a legitimate interest as defined in Section 20-124.1.

These seminars, called “Parent Education Seminars” or “Co-parenting Seminars”, discuss the effects of separation or divorce on children, parenting responsibilities, options for conflict resolution, and financial responsibilities. 

Dispute Resolution Services (OES-DRS) oversees the approval of Parent Education Seminars for courts in Virginia, and ensures their compliance with the governing Virginia Code Sections and best practices described in the Model Parent Education Curriculum Committee as presented in House Document 26 (2000). In addition, OES-DRS manages the online directories of approved Parent Education Providers and provides support to the courts, the public, and seminar providers and instructors regarding Parent Education programs across the Commonwealth.

  • To register for a seminar see the "Find a Parent Education Seminar" section below.

    • Director - Paul F. DeLosh
    • Dispute Resolution Services Manager - Dan Wassink
      Phone - (804) 786-6455

  • Please contact a provider from one of the lists below to register for a seminar. Once you identify a parent education seminar provider in your area, contact the individual seminar providers for times, dates and locations of their seminars.

    Online
    The programs included on the list below are the only online programs: approved by Virginia courts.
    Listing of Parent Education Seminars being offered via webinar (New)

    In-Person Seminars
    Your Order of Referral should indicate whether your case is in Circuit Court or Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court:
    For a Circuit court case
    For a Juvenile & Domestic Relations court case