Did you know if you are going through a divorce in Massachusetts and you have minor children then you are required to take an approved parent education class? This class is mandatory unless the court gives you permission to waive the requirement. The class must be completed by the time of your final hearing in court.
The class is offered in towns throughout the Commonwealth and lasts for two sessions of 2 1/2 hours each. Each parent is responsible for paying for the cost of the program, but it usually is not more then $65 per person.
The purpose of the class is to educate parents on how the divorce will affect their children and help them with parenting through some of the issues that may arise.
It is your responsibility to register and attend the class. Once you have completed the two sessions, a certificate of completion will be issued, which you will need to send to the court as proof of your attendance.
Below you will find a partial list of updated classes, but for a complete list you may wish to contact the court in the county where your divorce is taking place.
APPROVED PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDERS
*All programs are 2 sessions of 2 ½ hours each unless noted otherwise
**Program also offered in Spanish
October, 2007
ACTON
Changing Families, Changing Times
Boundaries Therapy Center
518 Great Road
Contact: Helen Frey
(978) 263-4878
Website: www.divorcecenter.org
AGAWAM
Parents, Children & Divorce
Behavioral Health Network
Agawam Counseling Center
30 Southwick Street
Feeding Hills
Contact: Coordinator
(413) 786-6410
ATTLEBORO
*Family Service Association
of Greater Fall River, Inc.
Arbour Fuller Hospital, 200 May Street
Contact: Family Service Department
(508) 678-7542
Website: www.divorcingparents.com
[2 sessions of 3 hours each]
BEVERLY
**Parent Education
and Custody Effectiveness – PEACE
North Shore Counseling Center
23 Broadway
Contact: Linda Migdole
(978) 922-2280
Spanish language program (978) 922-3605
Website: www.nsccpsyc.com
BILLERICA
Divorce and Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
First Parish Church
7 Concord Road
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
BOSTON
Parents Apart
Family Healthy Choices
Massachusetts General Hospital
15 Parkman Street
Contact: Steven Nisenbaum
(978) 887-6342
BRAINTREE
Parents Apart
Divorce Center, Inc.
Braintree Health South Hospital
250 Pond Street
Contact: David Seaquist
(888) 434-8787
Website: www.divorcenter.org
BROCKTON
*Set A Good Example (SAGE)
Mass. Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)
231 Main Street
Contact: James Kenney
(800) 339-2204
[2 sessions; First 2 hours, Second 3 hours]
Parents Apart
Mass Bay Counseling
Massasoit Community College
1 Massasoit Avenue
Contact: Danielle Latteo
(617) 786-3027
BROOKLINE
For the Sake of the Children
Center for Families in Transition
1419 Beacon Street
Contact: Stuart Andrews or Elka Schlager
(617) 489-2922
CAMBRIDGE
For the Sake of the Children
Center for Families in Transition
Cambridge YWCA, 7 Temple Street
Contact: Stuart Andrews or Elka Schlager
(617) 489-2922
CHELMSFORD
Moving Forward
Life Transitions Inc.
10 Billerica Road
Contact: Robert DiMeo
(978) 649-6255
Website: www.lifetransitionsinc.net
CHICOPEE
Parents Apart
Elm’s College
291 Springfield Street
Contact: Judith Haggerty
(413) 528-3508
DANVERS
Parents Apart, Family Healthy Choices
Calvary Episcopal Church
Cherry Street
Contact: Steven Nisenbaum
(978) 887-6342
FALL RIVER
*Family Service Association
of Greater Fall River, Inc.
151 Rock Street
Contact: Family Service Department
(508) 678-7542
Website: www.divorcingparents.com
[2 Sessions of 3 hours each]
*Set A Good Example (SAGE)
Mass. Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children
46 North Main Street
Contact: James Kenney
(800) 339-2204
[2 sessions; First 2 hours, Second 3 hours]
FITCHBURG
**Reducing the Effects of Divorce
Children’s Aid & Family Service
United Way of Central Massachusetts
915 South Street
Contact: Family Counseling Center
(978) 345-4147
FRAMINGHAM
Consider the Children
Divorce Education, Inc.,
Mass Bay Community College
19 Flagg Drive
Contact: Diane Ferkler or Samuel Chiancola
(508) 435-4745
GARDNER
Reducing the Effects of Divorce
Children’s Aid & Family Service
Colonial Bed, Breakfast & Conference Ctr.
625 Betty Spring Road
Contact: Family Counseling Center
(978) 345-4147
GLOUCESTER
Parents Apart
Sawyer Free Library
Dale Avenue
Contact: Joyce Fossa
(978) 546-9544
GREAT BARRINGTON
Parents Apart
Great Barrington Police Station
Main Street
Contact: Judith Haggerty
(413) 528-3508
GREENFIELD
Families in Transition (FIT)
Franklin County Bar Association
Franklin Medical Center
Contact: Mimi Gordon
(413) 773-9839
GROTON
Reducing the Effects of Divorce
Children’s Aid & Family Service
First Parish Unitarian Church, Rt. 119
(978) 345-4147
HANOVER
Parents Apart
Marvista Psychological Associates, PC
South Shore Vocational High School
Contact: Selma Ingber or Charles Mundhenk
(781) 383-0860
Website: www.divorcenter.org
HAVERHILL
Positive Co-Parenting in Difficult Times
Psychotherapy Associates of North Reading
Northern Essex Community College
Contact: Dr. Donna Whipple
(978) 664-2566 ext. 5
Website: www.panr.net
HYANNIS
* Set A Good Example (SAGE)
MSPCC
206 Breeds Hill Road
Contact: Laura Rittel
(508) 775-0275
[2 sessions; First 2 hours, Second 3 hours]
LAWRENCE
**Divorce and Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
Northern Essex Community College
45 Franklin Street
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
LEXINGTON
Parents Apart
Charis Institute, Inc.
3 Militia Drive
Contact: Daniel Verrengia
(781) 863-0350 x503
LITTLETON
Moving Forward
Life Transitions, Inc.
461 King Street
Contact: Robert DiMeo
(978) 649-6255
Website: www.lifetransitionsinc.net
LOWELL
Divorce & Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
Pawtucket Congregational Church
15 Mammoth Road
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
LYNN
Divorce and Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
Atlantic Care Medical Center
500 Lynnfield Street
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
Understanding the Effect
of Divorce on Children
Family & Children’s Service
of Greater Lynn, Inc.
111 North Common Street
Contact: Linda Demerjian
(781) 598-5517
MARLBOROUGH
Consider the Children
Divorce Education, Inc.
Relationship Institute
431 Bolton Street
Contact: Diane Ferkler or Samuel Chiancola
(508) 435-4745
MARSHFIELD
Parents Apart
Mass Bay Counseling
Marshfield High School
89 Forest Street
Contact: Danielle Latteo
(617) 786-3027
MEDFORD
Positive Co-Parenting in Difficult Times
Psychotherapy Associates
of North Reading
Medford High School
489 Winthrop Street
Contact: Dr. Donna Whipple
(978) 664-2566 ext. 5
Website: www.panr.net
MELROSE
Divorce and Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
Melrose Highlands
Congregational Church-
355 Franklin Street
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
MILFORD
Consider the Children
Divorce Education, Inc.
Milford High School
31 West Fountain Street
Contact Diane Ferkler or Samuel Chiancola
(508) 435-4745 or (508) 473-4674
NEEDHAM
Focusing on Our Children
Divorce Education Services
Deaconess-Glover Hosptial
148 Chestnut Street
Contact: Ann Steele
(781) 237-5064
NEW BEDFORD
*Family Service Association
of Greater Fall River, Inc.
Fisher College
777 Church Street
Contact: Sue Rogue
(508) 678-7542
Website: www.divorcingparents.com
[2 sessions of 3 hours each]
*Set A Good Example (SAGE)
Mass. Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)
558 Pleasant Street
Contact: James Kenney
(800) 339-2204
[2 sessions; First 2 hours, Second 3 hours]
NEWBURYPORT
Parents Apart
Family Healthy Choices
Nock Middle School
Contact: Steven Nisenbaum
(978) 887-6342
NORTH ANDOVER
Putting Children First
Family Service, Inc.
Merrimack College
Contact: Intake Worker
(978) 683-9505
NORTH DIGHTON
Family Service Association
of Greater Fall River, Inc.
St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, Spring Street
Contact: Sue Rogue
(508) 678-7542
Website: www.divorcingparents.com
NORTH READING
Positive Co-Parenting in Difficult Times
Psychotherapy Assoc. of North Reading
324 Main Street, (Rt. 28) and
Barberry Road
Contact: Dr. Donna Whipple
(978) 664-2566
Website: www.panr.net
NORTHAMPTON
Parents and Children in Transition
(PACT)
Hampshire County Bar Association
Hall of Records Community Room
33 King Street
Contact: Intake Worker
(413) 586-4597
NORWOOD
Focusing on Our Children
Divorce Education Services
Norwood Hospital
800 Washington Street
Contact: Ann Steele
(781) 237-5064
Parents Apart
Child & Family Psychological Services
Norwood Junior High School
Contact: Coordinator
(781) 551-0999
Website: www.cfpsych.org
PITTSFIELD
Families in Transition
Family Center of the Berkshires
Berkshire Medical Center
741 North Street and
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
of the Berkshires
333 East Street
Contact: Patrick Fleming
(413) 447-2142
PLYMOUTH
Parents Apart
Marvista Psychological Associates, PC
Plymouth North High School
41 Obery Street
Contact: Selma Ingber or Charles Mundhenk
(781) 383-0860
QUINCY
Parents Apart
Mass Bay Counseling
North Quincy High School
315 Hancock Street
Contact: Danielle Latteo
(617) 786-3027
SALEM
Divorce & Its Impact
on Children’s Development
Perspectives
13 Hawthorne Blvd.
Contact: Madeline Segal
(978) 745-7808
SANDWICH
For the Sake of the Children
Center for Families in Transition
142 Main Street
Contact: Stuart Andrews
(617) 489-2922
SOUTHBRIDGE
Parents Apart
George B. Wells Human Service Center
Harrington Memorial Hospital
29 Pine Street
Contact: Martha Miller
(508) 765-9167
SPRINGFIELD
Parents, Children and Divorce Program
Behavioral Health Network
Child Guidance Clinic
110 Maple Street
Contact: Coordinator
(413) 732-7419
Parents & Children in Divorce
Child & Family Service
of Pioneer Valley, Inc.
Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut Street
Contact: Coordinator
(413) 737-4718
Website: www.cfs.org
TAUNTON
*Family Service Association of Greater
Fall River, Inc.
Memorial United Methodist Church
176 Somerset Avenue
Contact: Family Service Department
(508) 678-7542
Website: www.divorcingparents.com
[2 sessions of 3 hours each]
WAKEFIELD
Partners for Positive Co-Parenting
Riverside Community Care
338 Main Street, Suite 304
Contact: Coordinator
(781)246-2010
WALTHAM
Parents Apart
Divorce Center, Inc.
West Suburban Chamber of Commerce
84 South Street
Contact: David Seaquist
(888) 434-8787
Website: www.divorcenter.org
WARE
Parents and Children in Divorce
Child & Family Services
of Pioneer Valley
Mary Lane Hospital
85 South Street
Contact: Coordinator
(800) 232-0510
Website: www.cfs.org
WAREHAM
Parents Helping Children
Through Divorce
Psychology Associates
Wareham High School
Contact: Debbie Bell
(508) 747-2718
WATERTOWN
Families Divided
Divorcestep
80 Mount Auburn Street
Contact: Coordinator
(508) 358-7688
Website: www.divorcestep.com
WEST BARNSTABLE
Parents Apart
Mass Bay Counseling
Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyanough Road
Contact: Danielle Latteo
(617) 786-3027
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Parents Apart
Parents in Cooperation
Brightside Center for
Families and Children
2112 Riverdale Road
Contact: Barry Krimsky
(413) 735-1719
Parents & Children in Divorce
Child & Family Service of Pioneer Valley
425 Union Street, Level D
Contact: Coordinator
(413) 737-4718
Website: www.cfs.org
WEST TISBURY
Parents Apart of Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services
First Congregational Church
Contact: Coordinator
(508) 693-7900
WESTBOROUGH
Divorce that Works for Children
Active Counseling Associates
43 Hopkinton Road
Contact: Sylvia Sirignano, Glenn Smith
(508) 366-7557
WORCESTER
Parents Apart
University of Mass. Medical Center
55 Lake Avenue North
Contact: Nancy Perkins
(508) 856-8600
*Children Cope with Divorce
Jewish Family Service of Worcester
646 Salisbury Street
Contact: Zelda Schwartz
(508) 755-3101
Website: www.jfsworcester.org
[2 sessions of 3 hours each]
Parents Apart
Family Services of Central Massachusetts
31 Harvard Street
Contact: Intake Department
(508) 756-4646
Website: www.fscm.org
Consider the Children
Divorce Education, Inc.
6 Melville Street
(508) 435-4745
Contact: Diane Ferkler or Samuel Chiancola
