Parents may participate on a voluntary basis or be referred by the Judge, Custody Masters, Attorneys, Guardians Ad Litem, Mediators, Mental Health Professionals, and Custody Evaluators. Once it has been identified that the parents would benefit from the Cooperative Parenting  Program, the Court can stipulate the parents’ participation in the program by issuing the Court Order designed for the program. Parents may also participate voluntarily. NM Family Education Center remains neutral in all matters, putting the focus on the child(ren).

Impact of Parental Conflict, Separation and Divorce on Children Workshop.

Cost: $45.00

This Workshop will:

·        Assist parents in shifting their role from former spouses to co-parents

·        Educate parents regarding the impact of parental conflict on the their child’s development

·         Educate parents about children’s issues in separation, custody disputes & divorce

·        Diminish the child’s sense of being caught in loyalty binds

This workshop provides foundation for families with low conflict in the areas of joint custody, separate maintenance, change of custody, and paternity.

Post Divorce and Separation Peer Support Groups 

This program is designed to help families continue practicing principles of coparenting while dealing with the challenges a that may arise as children adjust to the stages of development.

The group will have a trained facilitator, but will be client run in the selection of topics and format. The proposed length of each group meeting with be one hour.

Clients may choose to participate in one of three groups; male only, female only and a mix gender group.

Group meeting times will be in the evening on weekdays and Saturday with an optional Sunday

Co-Parenting Classes

Program Costs Start @ $199

The program is presented in eight to ten (8 to10) two hour sessions which are typically held in the evenings or on Saturdays. Two classes are run in the same week so as to avoid contact between clients in cases where an order of protection is in place. Class times allow for parents to attend to their work needs as well as make arrangements for child-care when applicable. Classes are offered one on one and in small groups to allow for maximum effectiveness of materials covered. We go beyond just the "court order" to help rebuild/prevent the potential damage of divorce and separation on children. 

Topics covered are:

·         First Component: Emphasizes the child’s experience of divorce. Addresses what influences a child’s adjustment to divorce. Highlights the necessity of developing a parental relationship that is sensitive to the child’s needs.

·         Second Component: Focuses on the adult’s experience of divorce. Assists parents in shifting their relationship from former spouses to co-parents.

·         Third Component: Features communication skills and anger management. Offers techniques that prevent arguments from getting out of control.

·         Fourth Component: Stresses negotiation skills and planning for the future. Emphasizes that co-parenting is forever.

·         Fifth Component: Focuses on Self-Care for Parents, Child Development issues, Sensible Discipline and life after separation and divorce.

The classes are designed to improve the quality of the parental relationship in situations of joint custody, separate maintenance, change of custody, and paternity.