Best Co-Parenting in Connecticut — 16 resources

About Co-Parenting for Women

Co-parenting programs help separated and divorced mothers share custody constructively and document communication. Most states require court-ordered parent education (often called 'children first' or 'co-parenting' classes) before finalizing a divorce or custody order involving minor children — typically 4–6 hours, online or in person, costing 5–$75. Court-based mediation programs are often free or sliding-scale and certified through state mediation councils. Digital tools like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses provide court-admissible message logs, shared calendars, and expense tracking that family judges increasingly require in high-conflict cases. This directory includes state-required classes, mediators, and co-parenting apps.

Co-Parenting in Connecticut

Connecticut's Superior Court handles family matters through regional Judicial Districts and Family Support Magistrate Division locations. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement under DSS. Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury are the largest cities. Connecticut Legal Services, Statewide Legal Services, and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) serve women.

16 Resources

1. Connecticut Courts — Parenting Education — Free

Connecticut General Statute 46b-69b requires every divorcing or separating parent of a minor child to complete an approved Parenting Education Program before the court will enter final orders. The Judicial Branch lists approved providers and class schedules; call 860-263-2734 for current locations and fee-waiver instructions.

860-263-2734 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

2. CT Family Court Mediation Services — Free

Court-connected Family Relations counselors conduct free mediation sessions at every Connecticut judicial district courthouse to help separated parents agree on access schedules, holiday rotations, and decision-making before a contested hearing. Call 860-263-2734 to ask the family caseflow office to schedule a session.

860-263-2734 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

3. Hartford Family Court — Mediation — Free

The Hartford courthouse at 90 Washington Street offers in-person Family Relations mediation for co-parenting disputes filed in the Hartford judicial district. A counselor helps both parents draft a written parenting plan that can be entered as a court order the same day. Call 860-548-2700 weekdays to schedule.

860-548-2700 · 90 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

4. New Haven Family Mediation — Free

The New Haven judicial district courthouse at 235 Church Street provides free Family Relations mediation for parents with cases pending in New Haven. Counselors help with visitation schedules, school decisions, and holiday plans. Call 203-503-6800 weekdays to be added to the next session.

203-503-6800 · 235 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

5. Community Mediation Inc. — CT — Free

Community Mediation Inc., a Hartford-based nonprofit, offers volunteer-led mediation for co-parenting and family conflicts when court mediation is full or unavailable. Sessions are confidential and sliding-scale. Call 860-724-0861 weekdays 9am to 5pm to request a mediator.

860-724-0861 · Hartford, CT · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Connecticut Children's Trust — Parenting — Free

The Connecticut Children's Trust Fund, housed at the Office of Early Childhood in Hartford, funds parenting-education and home-visiting programs across the state. Call 860-786-8970 weekdays to find a Parents as Teachers or Nurturing Families site near you.

860-786-8970 · Hartford, CT 06106 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

7. Fairfield County Family Mediation — Free

The Bridgeport judicial district at 1061 Main Street provides Family Relations mediation for parents in Fairfield County. Counselors are trained in high-conflict cases and can refer to longer-term parenting coordinators when one session is not enough. Call 203-579-6527 weekdays.

203-579-6527 · 1061 Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06604 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

8. Wheeler Clinic — Family Programs — Free

Wheeler Clinic at 91 Northwest Drive in Plainville runs co-parenting counseling, family therapy, and a court-approved parenting-education class for central Connecticut families. Call 860-793-3500 weekdays 8am to 5pm; HUSKY and most commercial plans accepted.

860-793-3500 · 91 Northwest Dr, Plainville, CT 06062 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Our Family Wizard — Free

Our Family Wizard is the co-parenting app most often ordered by Connecticut family-court judges in high-conflict cases. Its ToneMeter, immutable message log, and expense-reimbursement tracker create court-admissible records that hold up in Connecticut motions to modify or contempt hearings.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. TalkingParents — Free

TalkingParents records every message, call, and shared document so neither parent can later edit or delete the communication — making it useful evidence in Connecticut custody modification or contempt motions. A free tier covers basic messaging.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. AppClose — Free

AppClose is a free co-parenting app with calendar sharing, expense tracking, and ExpensePay reimbursements. A practical alternative for Connecticut parents whose orders do not require the more formal Our Family Wizard service.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. 2houses — Free

2houses lets co-parents share custody calendars, school records, and medical history in one place. Helpful for Connecticut families splitting time between two households where each parent needs the same updated information on doctor visits and IEP meetings.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Coparenter — Free

Coparenter combines messaging with on-demand human mediators who can intervene by chat when parents reach an impasse over a single decision — quicker than scheduling another Connecticut Family Relations mediation session.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Up to Parents — Free

Up to Parents is a free online co-parenting course developed by Resolution Systems Institute and accepted by many Connecticut family-court judges as a supplement to the state's mandatory Parenting Education Program. Lessons focus on shielding children from adult conflict.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Cozi Family Organizer — Free

Cozi is a free shared family calendar, grocery list, and meal planner — practical for Connecticut co-parents who maintain a low-conflict relationship and only need basic logistics coordination rather than court-admissible records.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Custody X Change — Free

Custody X Change generates a written parenting plan and visitation calendar that meets Connecticut family-court formatting expectations. Useful when preparing your own proposed plan for a hearing rather than waiting for Family Relations to draft one.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many co-parenting resources are in Connecticut?
Women's Corner tracks 16 co-parenting resources for women in Connecticut.
Are co-parenting resources in Connecticut free?
16 of the 16 listed co-parenting resources in Connecticut are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Connecticut have co-parenting resources?
Listings span cities including Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Plainville.
What are some examples of co-parenting resources in Connecticut?
Featured entries include Connecticut Courts — Parenting Education, CT Family Court Mediation Services, Hartford Family Court — Mediation, New Haven Family Mediation, Community Mediation Inc. — CT.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 16 Connecticut co-parenting listings include phone numbers.
Is a parenting class required for divorce?
In most states, yes — a 4–6 hour court-approved co-parenting class (5–$75, often online) is required before any divorce or custody order involving minor children is finalized. Check your state court's approved provider list. The class is gender-neutral and focuses on protecting kids from conflict.
What's mediation and do I have to do it?
Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party to agree on a parenting plan. Most states require at least one mediation session before contested custody hearings. It's faster, cheaper, and less traumatic than litigation. If there's domestic violence history, you can request to opt out or have separate-room mediation.
Which co-parenting app should I use?
OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are accepted as evidence in court in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and a tone-monitoring feature. If your ex is abusive or harassing, these apps create a documented record judges will read.
How do I co-parent with someone who was abusive?
Use parallel parenting instead of cooperative co-parenting — minimize contact, use a court-monitored app for all communication, exchange the child at a neutral location or police station, and stick strictly to the written parenting plan. Document everything. Many states allow supervised exchanges through Safe Exchange programs at no cost.