Connecticut Parenting Education Program: What to Know Before You Enroll

You just filed for divorce, and now you're staring at a court notice telling you to complete a "Parenting Education Program" within 60 days. You haven't missed a deadline — you didn't even know this requirement existed until right now.

Under C.G.S. § 46b-69b, every parent in a Connecticut family court case involving minor children must complete a court-approved Parenting Education Program (PEP). There are no exceptions for amicable divorces, joint petitions, or parents who already agree on custody.

What the PEP Class Covers

The program runs approximately six hours (the statute authorizes up to ten). It covers the cognitive and emotional impact of family restructuring on children at different developmental stages, co-parenting communication strategies, and how to shield children from parental conflict.

This is not therapy, and it is not a custody evaluation. No one reports your performance to the judge. Both parents must complete the course, but they do not need to attend the same session or the same provider.

The 60-Day Deadline

You must register and enroll within 60 days of the Return Date — the administrative date the court assigns to your case (always a Tuesday, roughly four weeks after filing). Missing this deadline can delay your case or result in a court order compelling attendance.

The court schedules your Resolution Plan Date (RPD) approximately 30 to 45 days after the Return Date. Ideally, you want your PEP certificate in hand before your RPD, since it demonstrates compliance and good faith to the Family Relations Counselor who triages your case.

How Much It Costs

The standard fee is capped at $200 per parent by statute, though most approved providers charge between $125 and $150. You pay the provider directly at the time of registration.

If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for a complete waiver by filing Form JD-FM-75 (Application for Waiver of Fees) with the court clerk. Once approved, you present the waiver order to the class provider at registration, and the fee is eliminated entirely. Courts typically grant waivers to households at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level.

How to Find an Approved Provider

Only classes from state-licensed providers count toward your court requirement. Classes taken through unapproved online vendors — even if they cover identical material — will not be accepted by the court.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains an official registry of approved providers. Programs are offered statewide through organizations such as the Family & Children's Agency, Klingberg Family Centers, Catholic Charities, Gilead Community Services, and United Services.

Most providers offer both in-person and online formats. In-person sessions are typically held in a single day. Online formats may be self-paced over several days.

What to Bring to Registration

When you register, have the following ready:

• Your case docket number (assigned when you filed)
• The Return Date from your court summons
• Your JD-FM-75 fee waiver order, if applicable
• Payment (check, credit card, or cash depending on the provider)

After completing the program, the provider files your certificate of completion directly with the court. Keep a personal copy for your records.

PEP Is Separate from Mediation and Custody Evaluations

Parents sometimes confuse the PEP class with court-ordered mediation or a custody evaluation. These are entirely different processes:

• PEP is a one-time educational course about co-parenting. Everyone takes it.
• Mediation through Family Relations is a confidential negotiation process for parents who disagree on custody. It's free and state-funded.
• Custody evaluations are court-ordered investigations for high-conflict cases, involving home visits, interviews, and a written recommendation to the judge.

Completing your PEP class early removes one administrative hurdle and lets you focus on the substantive decisions — your parenting schedule, decision-making allocation, and child support arrangement. The Connecticut Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide walks you through each of those decisions with Connecticut-specific worksheets and copy-and-paste plan language designed for Form JD-FM-199.

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