Parenting after Separation ("PAS")

Parenting After Separation is a two hour on-line course or a six hour seminar offering information to guardians and parents about the separation and divorce process, the effects of separation and divorce on children, techniques for communication and legal information that affects parents and children.

Separating or divorcing parents who live near a judicial centre and have issues concerning child support or parenting time may access this service.

PAS teaches parents the importance of working together to meet children’s health, social, educational and emotional needs. The program encourages parents to attend mediation and to consider other dispute resolution options.

Course topics include:
  • Relationship Building
  • Effect of separation on Parents
  • Effect of separation on Children
  • Communication Skills
  • Legal Issues
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative Family Law
  • Parenting Plans

There is no cost to the parties.

Before filing a divorce application or a Family Law Act application in the Court of Queen’s Bench the party applying must file a certificate showing that they completed PAS.  A judge can order that a party complete the course before going ahead with a court application.
​
Parents must attend separate sessions of the course unless they ask to attend together.

Download the Parenting After Separation (PAS) parent’s guide  

For more information, read the parenting after separation factsheet

Parenting after Separation for High Conflict Families ("PASHC")

Parenting After Separation for Families in High Conflict (PASHC) is a three hour seminar available in Edmonton and Calgary to parents who have already completed the six hour Parenting After Separation course.

PASHC offers information about the process of separation, how to emotionally disengage from one another and how to identify and renegotiate boundaries.

Parents are encouraged to develop a Parallel Parenting Plan, which can be an effective tool to reduce conflict and minimize the contact between parents.

Course topics include:
  • Parental Enmeshment and Disengagement/ Disinterest
  • Parenting Plan for High Conflict Families
  • Anger, Abuse, Power and Control
  • Child Development and the Needs of Children
  • Renegotiating Boundaries (Skill Development)

There is no cost to the parties.

Participation in the program is voluntary, although parties may be directed to attend by a judge.  Parents do not attend the program together.








​Download the High Conflict PAS Manual

For location and contact information click here.

Focus on Communication in Separation ("FOCIS")

Focus on Communication in Separation (FOCIS) is a six hour, skill-based communication course teaching parents how to communicate effectively while living apart.

FOCIS aims to enhance the communication skills of parents, reduce parental conflict and improve long term outcomes for children. Upon completing the course, parents will be able to reduce conflict through good communication and problem solving skills, decrease tensions arising from conflicts and decrease stress for children and parents.

Course topics include:
  • The impact of parental conflict on  children
  • The importance of listening
  • Definitions of conflict
  • The effective use of questions, paraphrases and summarizing techniques
  • Conflict styles/conflict cycle
  • Mindsets - changing how we see and respond
  • Anger
  • The role of perceptions in misunderstandings and miscommunication
  • Using "I" statements

There is no cost to the parties. 

Participation in FOCIS is voluntary.  Parents are not permitted to attend the course together



​
Download the FOCIS Manual

For location and contact information click here.

Special Document for Parents

Please access this document on "Parenting after separation"