Children and Parents After Separation

Children and Parents After Separation (CPAS) is a FREE course to help family members manage the divorce/separation process. CPAS will help parents make informed decisions about their separation and will help their children cope with a family break up.

Interested parents should register right away, as space is limited in both New Westminster and Vancouver. Register online or call 604-775-0856.

"When separating parents are able to cooperate and parent effectively, their children are just as emotionally healthy and resilient as those from families whose parents stay together," said Rick Craig, executive director of the Justice Education Society, which developed the program.

Each session has four groups, one for children 5-8 years old, one for youth 9-13 years old and one for each of the parents.  The four groups are held at the same venue but in different classrooms.  This whole-family approach provides an unique opportunity for parents and children to discuss the same issues, in a safe environment.

Parents will learn:

  • About the impact of separation on children
  • Strategies to help them adjust to change.
  • Effective ways to communicate with the other parent and with their children.
  • Strategies for keeping children out of parental conflict.
  • About legal issues such as custody, access and child support.
  • About resources for parents and children.

Children will learn:

  • Strategies to help them accept and adjust to change
  • Effective ways to communicate with parents to express their feelings and concerns.
  • That the changes in their family are not their fault.
  • About the court process.

Participants

  • Any adult in a parental role who is going through separation or divorce.
  • Children ages 5 to 13.
  • Separating or divorced parents and their children can take this course voluntarily.
  • Both parents and children need to attend every session. 
  • Parents are responsible for the attendance of their children.

Dates and Locations

Each of the sessions runs for two consecutive Saturdays.  Attendance at both sessions is mandatory.

New Westminster
Douglas College
700 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5

Session Dates (all sessions run from 9:30am to 12:30pm)  
March 20, 27
April 24 & May 1

Vancouver
Unitarian Church
949 West 49th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2T1

Session Dates (all sessions run from 9:30am to 12:30pm)   
April 10, 17
June 5, 12, 19

More sessions will be scheduled for 2010.

Register

The sessions are offered in New Westminster and Vancouver and are open to both parents and children from ages 5-13. To find out more about this program or to register for a session, please contact 604-775-0856 or 1-800-775-0856. Parents can also register online.

Cost

The sessions are free and are facilitated by the Justice Education Society and funded by the Law Foundation of BC. Legal advice is not provided at the information sessions.

Court Certificate

In some communities in British Columbia, parents must attend a Parenting After Separation session before going to court on matters such as custody, access, guardianship and/or child support.  The court registry where you file your application can tell you if attendance is mandatory.

If the parents are court-mandated to attend, Children and Parents After Separation qualifies and a certificate of successful completion will be issued that can be presented to the court registry. 

If the program is court-mandated, both parents have to attend, whether they are married, living common law or have never lived together.  If grandparents or step-parents are making applications to the court they must attend a Parenting After Separation session such as Children and Parents After Separation.

Although Parenting After Separation information workshops are currently available to parents, they do not include children.  Children and Parents After Separation is a unique course in BC.

When Your Matter is Urgent

If the safety of you and your children is of concern, or you feel your situation is urgent, tell court registry staff when you file your application.