What people are saying about Parents Forever

Jean Baribeau-Thoennes of Duluth, Minnesota's Women's Transitional Housing Coalition says that Parents Forever increases divorcing parents' awareness of possible family violence and helps them assess the danger. "One of the things I appreciated about the curriculum was the focus on tactics of power and control, domestic violence, and assessing for lethality," she says. "I have seen other programs that have left these pieces out, and they are crucial to any program addressing the issue."

"(I've) eliminated any criticism of the other parent...not making the children choose sides." -Parents Forever participant

David Lecheler, State Department of Human Services custody evaluator for Winona County, Minnesota, has watched divorcing parents attend mandatory Parents Forever classes for the past two years. He points out that court-ordered custody evaluations have dropped by half during the two years we have presented Parents Forever [in my district]. Lecheler says, "I would credit this significant drop to the information that is presented (in Parents Forever)."

Nancy Kristensen, early childhood family education coordinator for Winona School District 861, has witnessed how the Parents Forever curriculum can lead divorcing parents to learn about being a single parent. Attendance in her district's single parent education classes doubled as a result of referrals from Parents Forever.

"It's changed me! It's taken the focus more off of me and put it on 'Where do my kids fall into play here?' It was good!" -Parents Forever participant

Parents Forever results convince professionals
The Hon. Bruce W. Christopherson, district court judge in Minnesota's Eighth Judicial District, says, "Although I sparingly cast support for programs, I enthusiastically strike the gong for Parents Forever." As a result of this program, Judge Christopherson has observed the following results:

• More disputes settled voluntarily
• Less child distress
• Less cost in time and money to the legal system and divorcing parents
• A greater likelihood of settling future disagreements

Parents Forever materials help participants change
"It helped me be more aware of my child's needs and to pay more attention to his feelings. -Parents Forever participant

The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts lists Parents Forever in their publication, “Exemplary Family Court Programs and Practices,” May 2005.