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Parenting Classes

South Dakota Parenting Education Program

South Dakota law requires that parties to any action involving the issue of child custody or parenting time complete a court-approved course concerning the impact of these proceedings on children (SDCL 25-4A-32).

The course is required to be completed within 60 days of the commencement of the court proceeding by service of a summons and complaint, petition, motion or other request concerning child custody or parenting time. Participation in the course is not required for a protection order proceeding or a proceeding involving the termination of parental rights.

Each party is responsible for arranging participation in the course and for payment or costs for participation in an approved course. A final decree or order cannot be entered until both parties have complied with this requirement and submitted a certificate of completion or have been provided a waiver for good cause by the court. Please ensure that you file your parenting class certificate with the clerk of courts office to complete the required documentation for your case.

Participation in the course may only be waived or delayed by approval of a judge for good cause. Good cause may include a default by one of the parties or completion of an approved course within the past five years. A request for a good cause exemption may be made by completing the UJS-364 Affidavit of Court-Approved Parenting Course.

Find a Parenting Class     Find a Parenting Coordinator

Parenting Class Must Be Court Approved

There are providers who claim to be "Court approved." The ONLY Court-approved providers are those listed below. The Court does not accept certificates of completion from other providers. Request to be added to the parenting class list.

Find Parenting Classes by Virtual, Statewide, or Circuit

Virtual and/or Statewide Parenting Classes

Customer Support:
Class Price:
  • $65.00
Languages other than English:
  • English only
Location:
  • Virtual via Zoom
Certificate of Completion:
  • Upon completion the certificate will be mailed the next business day via United States Postal Service.
Other Information:
  • Students will be required to register and pay in advance.
  • Parents may attend together or separately, and must have a working camera for the ZOOM classes. 
  • No shows will have to re-register and re-pay the fee..

To Register:
Customer Support:
Class Prices & Schedule:
  • Online Self-Paced Course: $31.95
  • Online Zoom Instructor-Led Course: $50
  • Low-income option for those who apply on the website: $20
Class Schedule
  • Varied times and days for Zoom. Online self-paced is at your convenience.
Languages:
  • English only
Location:
  • Online and Zoom
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificates will be emailed to the participant once the course has been completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Statewide and Virtual 
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

Customer Support:
Class Price:
  • $100 (no waivers or sliding fee available at this time)
Class Schedule:
  • Every 2-3 months depending on class sizes
Language:
  • English only
Location:
  • Virtual via Zoom. 
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

Classes/Prices:
  • Co-Parenting/Divorce Class $34.99
Sliding Scale:
  • Yes, discounts available – Contact Provider
Class Schedule:
  • Online classes available 24/7 and will take a minimum of 4 hours to complete.
Spanish Classes Offered? En Español?
  • Yes. Si.
  • Material for all sessions is available in Spanish. El material de todas las sesiones está disponible en español.
Certificate of Completion:
  • At the end of the class, parents will receive a Certificate of Completion to file with the Court.

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • Free. Currently, there is no charge for the classes as the organization is funded under the South Dakota Department of Social Services.
Class Schedule:
  • Each class meets for two hours. Classes are offered in person in various locations in South Dakota and online so that more parents and caregivers in remote areas can participate.
Languages other than English:
  • Accommodations may be possible on a case by case basis
Location:
  • Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen, Brookings, Sioux Falls, and Online
Certificate of Completion:
  • Attendance is maintained and certificates are provided for each session when the parents and caregivers complete assignments and participate in discussions.
Other Information:
  • These classes are intended for parents with children birth to age 3.

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First Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Wagner, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Mondays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CT
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Mitchell, S.D., and Virtual
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

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Second Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

To Register:
Customer Support:
Class Prices:
  • Classes are free, (Participants receive a book and workbook)
Class Schedule
Languages:
  • English only
Location:
  • We offer on-line or in-person options. In person classes are held at Children Home Society Shelter for Family Safety in Sioux Falls.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate provided upon completion of class

Customer Support/Questions:
  • Call 605-271-6979 or above email. Also read about the YCIDS parent program at https://childrenbeyonddispute.com/parentsycids/
  • Questions:
    • Are these approved by South Dakota courts? Yes
    • What age are the focus of parenting classes? YCIDS focuses mostly on ages 0-4 due to their vulnerability to impact of separation dynamics and importance of development and attachment needs of this age group.
    • Can this be done virtually? Yes, if appropriate for the family situation.
Class Prices/Sliding Fee/Waiver:
  • Effective 7/1/24: Classes are $35 per parent for a 90-minute program/video. Parents that are currently receiving assistance through state aid programs are eligible for a sliding fee/waiver of class fees.
Class Schedule:
  • Individual in-person appointments are scheduled as allowed. Virtual appointments will be viewed at the parent's own pace and a 30-minute group discussion session will be scheduled with this provider (either virtually or in-person). Groups are scheduled as membership reaches 6.
Languages other than English? No
Location:
  • Sioux Falls, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Following class video AND attendance at the 30-minute group discussion, the YCIDS certificate will be signed off on by Recourse Solutions for parents to present to the court. The certificate will not have a signature from Recourse Solutions if the parent has not attended the group discussion following the video course.

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Third Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Classes are offered on Mondays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Watertown, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Brookings, S.D., and Virtual
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Aberdeen and Huron, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages, including Spanish.
Location:
  • Huron, S.D. 
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

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Fourth Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Rapid City, S.D., and the Black Hills
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Northwest South Dakota 
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

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Fifth Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Aberdeen and Huron, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Northeast South Dakota and Virtual
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Aberdeen, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Lake Traverse Reservation
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

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Sixth Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • Free
Class Schedule:
  • Classes are scheduled quarterly and held 1 day a week for 6 weeks.
Languages other than English:
  • Accommodations may be possible on a case by case basis.
Location:
  • In person in Pierre, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Allen and Martin, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Gregory and Winner, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • $20.00 per person, no one will be denied service due to inability to pay, no requirements to meet to have fee waived.
Class Schedule:
  • Third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. CT and 6:00 p.m. CT. All classes will be held virtually.
Languages other than English:
  • Accommodations may be possible on a case by case basis
Location:
  • Pierre, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

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Seventh Judicial Circuit Parenting Classes

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Class Schedule:
  • Typically quarterly. Held once per week for 6 weeks. Contact for specific schedule details. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Rapid City, S.D., and the Black Hills
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

To Register:
Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • No cost. 
Languages other than English:
  • English. Interpreters can be available for other languages.
Location:
  • Rapid City and Pine Ridge, S.D. and Virtual 
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate will be provided after class is completed.

Customer Support:
Classes/Prices:
  • $20 for the course
Class Schedule:
  • One evening a week from 6:00-8:30 p.m. MT
Languages other than English:
  • English Only
Location:
  • Rapid City, S.D.
Certificate of Completion:
  • Certificate provided upon completion of class.

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Request to Be Added to the Parenting Class List

The State Court Administrator’s Office certifies approved courses for parties required to participate in a parenting education course (SDCL 25-4A-32).

Approved courses may include those provided by a public or private entity. At a minimum and as appropriate, an approved course shall include information related to the effects of separation or divorce on children, co-parenting skills and responsibilities, children's needs and coping techniques, the options for conflict resolution for parenting time and custodial disputes and the financial responsibilities of parents.

To request a course be added to the list of approved parenting education courses, submit to the State Court Administrator's Office a letter outlining the program and its cost. 

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