Parenting education programs seek to achieve the following:
Focus on Children is the court-authorized in-class parenting education program. The program is offered through Cook County’s Family Mediation Services (FMS). The program is offered in both English and Spanish.
You do not need a court order to attend Focus on Children. Please be advised that if you have been ordered to attend a mediation or an emergency intervention, the court will require that you complete this in-person program even if you have already completed Children in Between Online. You must complete the Focus on Children program before you can attend mediation.
After you complete Focus on Children, you will receive a “Certificate of Completion,” which is your proof for the court that you completed the program.
Please note: nothing precludes the court from ordering either party to attend additional authorized parenting education courses.
Focus on Children is offered at the following locations in Cook County:
Chicago
Cook County Administration Building 69 W. Washington, 10th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60602
Suburban Municipal District Courthouses
The Center for Divorce Education’s Children in Between Online is the only court-authorized online parenting education program. This online program is offered in both English and Spanish. You do not need a court order to take CIBO, and you can take it up to sixty days before you file your case. Please note that if you are ordered to attend mediation or emergency intervention, you will be required to complete the Focus on Children in-class parenting education program regardless whether you have completed this online course.
After you complete Children in Between Online, you will receive a “Certificate of Completion,” which is your proof for the court that you completed the program.
To learn more about the CDE’s Children In Between Online course go to https://online.divorce-education.com/locale/illinois/cook. Please note: nothing precludes the court from ordering either party to attend additional authorized parenting education courses.
The cost of the program is $50.00. Each parent is responsible for paying his or her own fee for the program, unless the fee is waived pursuant to a court order.
If you have a fee waiver, then follow the next steps to register for the program:
(1) Fill out the Fee Waiver Application Form from the Center for Divorce Education. Found here.
(2) Fax or e-mail a copy of your fee waiver form and court document(s) to:
Fax: (740) 594-2521 E-mail: staff@divorce-education.com
(3) You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration along with your Username and Password. Please allow 2-3 business days for processing of fee waiver requests.
If you do not receive this email, please check your junk/spam folders. If the email is not found, call the Children in Between Online support number 1-877-874-1365.
When you complete the Children in Between Online course, you will be issued a certificate of completion. (Please be sure to print one (1) copy for your records.) You will need to ensure a second copy of the certificate is provided to the court.
There are two options to do this that depend on whether you have a case number. Please see below for the option that best describes your situation.
Option 1: You have a Case Number
a. Make sure your case number appears on the certificate. If it does not, type it in.
b. Email to the Court. At the “Results Page,” click on “e-mail copies of the certificate” and type in the e-mail address to the Cook County Court: focus.certificates@cookcountyil.gov (and your case number, if needed).
A copy of your certificate will be sent directly to the court. You can also e-mail a copy to yourself or attorney (if represented).
Option 2: You DO NOT have a Case Number
a. Print one (1) extra copy (you will now have 2).
b. Once a case is filed, write your case number on your certificate and either mail or hand deliver one (1) copy of the certificate of completion to: Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Domestic Relations Division 50 W. Washington Street, Room 802 Chicago, IL 60602