Parenting Education Program (PEP)

PEP coursework is designed to educate parents about the impact of a divorce or separation on their children. The 6-hour in-person course takes place during evening and weekend hours. Virtual classes are split into two 3-hour sessions.

All parties involved in divorce, dissolution of a civil union, annulment, separation, custody or visitation cases are required by law to participate. If you have children under age 18, you must participate in a parenting education program within sixty (60) days after a family case is led in court. Classes are open to Catholics and non-Catholics.


Below are locations and dates for classes.

Click the city or virtual to fill out a registration form.

The deadline to register is 2 days before each class — registration will be closed at that time. El plazo para registrarse es 2 días antes de cada clase; el registro se cerrará en ese momento.

  • Torrington: Sept. 23 (closed), Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, (2024) Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28
  • Hartford: Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 18, Dec. 9, (2024) Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14
  • Hartford (Español): Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, (2024) Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7
  • New Haven: Sept. 23 (closed), Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, (2024) Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28
  • Virtual: Sept. 7/14, Oct. 12/19 (closed), Nov. 9/16, Dec. 14-21, (2024) Jan. 11/18, Feb. 8/15, March 14/21, April 11/18, May 9/16, June 13/20, July 11/18, Aug. 8/15, Sept. 12/19, Oct. 10/17, Nov. 7/14, Dec. 12/19
  • Waterbury: Sept. 9, Oct. 21, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, (2024) Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14

Filling out a form does not guarantee a spot in a specific class. You will receive an email after payment and registration are complete.


Payment information

Cost is $150 and payment is due in advance. We accept credit cards, cash or money orders.

To submit your payment, click here.

Payment will secure your participation in a Catholic Charities PEP class, but does not guarantee the date you selected.


Through PEP, participants help children to adjust in a healthy way as a result of divorce or living apart from a parent. Classes include information about:

  • Children’s developmental stages
  • Helping children to adjust to parent separation
  • Cooperative parenting
  • Dispute resolution techniques
  • Guidelines for visitation
  • Stress reduction for children

For more information, email pep@ccaoh.org.