Programs and Services

Pilot project for Parenting after Separation Information Session

Relationships can end but parenthood is forever

To provide a service tailored to the needs of parents whose relationship has ended, the Ministère de la Justice has launched a pilot project on parenting after separation. Free information sessions will be provided at the Montréal courthouse by two mediators, one a legal specialist and the other a psychosocial specialist. A videoconference link will be established with the Québec and Granby courthouses. Three groups of parents, one in Montréal, one in Québec and one in Granby will be able to take part in the sessions, and other locations will be added as the pilot project proceeds.

During each session, the parents will be asked to reflect on their own needs during the transitional period, the needs of their children, whatever their age, and the need to maintain communications between the two parents. The session will also provide legal information that may be useful in the circumstances, and present various ways to deal with the separation, in particular by using family mediation.

The parenting sessions are intended for parents who have separated or divorced or intend to do so. In the latter case, family mediation is a legal requirement.

For the duration of the pilot project, when both parents attend the Pilot project for Parenting after Separation Information Session, the number of free family mediation sessions is not reduced.

Objectives of the pilot project

The goal of the pilot project is to

• determine if the group information session on family mediation should be transformed into parenting after separation information sessions;
• determine if sessions can be offered throughout Québec using videoconferencing facilities;
• check the satisfaction of parents with the contents of the sessions and the technology used.
  

Content of a parenting after separation information session

Each session lasts around two and a half hours. It includes

1. a segment on the psychosocial aspects of separation, lasting around 90 minutes (psychological trauma of a breakdown, needs and reactions of the children and need to maintain a level of communication);
2. a segment on family mediation, lasting around 30 minutes and including legal information;
3. a question period
   
   

Cost

Free of charge

To register

In Montréal, dial 514 393-2327
In Québec, dial 418 649-3541, option 5
In Granby, dial 450 776-7110, option 2

Parents can attend the sessions separately or together. If you do not wish to attend the same session as your ex-spouse, you can mention this when registering. If you attend a session separately, you can also ask to bring another person of your choice.

Upcoming sessions

Montréal and Québec

• Tuesday, january 24, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, february 8, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, february 21, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, march 7, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, march 20, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, april 4, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, april 17, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, may 2, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, may 15, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, may 30, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, june 12, 2012 (session in French)
• Wednesday, june 27, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, july 10, 2012 (session in French)

Granby

• Tuesday, january 24, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, february 21, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, march 20, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, april 17, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, may 15, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, june 12, 2012 (session in French)
• Tuesday, july 10, 2012 (session in French)

Note: The dates for the next sessions will be scheduled later.

Time

6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Note: Sessions will begin on time. Participants should arrive 15 minutes before to complete the identification section in the mediator's report.

Location

Montréal courthouse, room 2.158 (Entrance via the door on Rue Saint-Antoine)
Québec courthouse, room 1.15
Granby courthouse, room 1.21 (to access the parking lot, use the entrance on the left between the courthouse and the Uniprix drugstore.
Take care to park in a section reserved for visitors.)

Produced with financial assistance from the Department of Justice Canada.