Did you know that 689,308 people got divorced in 2021? Getting divorced is common in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that children should suffer because of it. In Florida, it is necessary for divorcing parents to take DCF classes.
These classes help you understand the impact a divorce might have on your children. They will also teach you how to be a more supportive parent to your children as they go through this difficult transition. But what should you expect from these DCF parenting class options?
Keep reading and learn more about how it works in Florida.
What You Need to Know About DCF Classes
DCF classes are sometimes known as parenting courses or divorce classes. They are required by the state for divorcing parents with children, but only if these children are minors. These classes may sometimes be of interest to concerned parties who are not those getting divorced such as grandparents.
Many courses claim to be DCF classes. However, you need to make sure that the classes you take are approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). These classes also need to get approved by the Florida court.
If you take courses that are not approved in this way, they will not count toward the Florida parenting requirements. It is important not to waste your time taking the wrong courses. Do your research and make sure the courses you take have the right accreditations.
You might be wondering why these classes are necessary. Why can’t you get a divorce as usual when you have children? This is because the process of divorce leaves families unstable.
Divorce may also permanently affect your children. Studies have shown that divorced families can be damaging to the community as well. Divorced and unstable families may not be economically sound and may have to rely on government assistance.
These families may create a negative social impact as well.
The Details
These classes aim to clarify the negatives of going through a divorce when you have children. This allows you to see the process more clearly and what it might do to your children or your community.
These courses also give you a better understanding of the divorce process. Besides becoming aware of the negatives, these courses will also teach you how to make the process easier. Sometimes, divorce is the only answer for your relationship.
This can be a difficult process for everyone involved. But taking these classes will teach you new ways to cope and push through the process. This ensures that you can still be a supportive figure for your children during and after the divorce.
While this won’t make your divorce easy, it will make it a somewhat easier process. But how will these classes impact your daily schedule? Will you have to go to a physical classroom and sit there for several hours?
Will these classes get in the way of your job? Not at all. These classes are designed to be as convenient as possible.
How DCF Courses Work
The great thing about these courses is that they are 100% online. As long as you have a computer, you can take these courses from the comfort of your home. All the reading materials and everything else you need to complete the courses are online.
The courses are very flexible as well. You can choose to start the coursework whenever you want such as when you get home from work. The course requires you to complete four hours of coursework.
You don’t have to do this all at once if you don’t want to. Some people like to take a break as they make their way through the coursework. You may start some of the work on your computer.
Then you might decide to continue studying on your phone if you find it more convenient. The course is broken up into several chapters. It takes around 30 minutes to complete each chapter.
What You Need to Know
It is also easy to save your progress. This makes it easy to see how far along you are in the course. If you get tired or busy, you can step away from the course material and resume it at a later time.
The course is also very easy to navigate, so you shouldn’t have any trouble completing it.
It is best not to prolong this process as it will also prolong the divorce process.
The faster you complete these courses, the faster and easier your divorce will be. To prove that you have completed this course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion after you finish it. This certificate is needed to proceed with the divorce process in the Florida divorce court.
The great thing about this certificate is that you don’t have to waste time waiting for it in the mail. You can instead print it from your computer. Make sure you submit that printed certificate to the court where you’re getting divorced.
You can print as many copies of this certificate as you want and you won’t have to pay any fees. This is important in case you lose your certificate.
All About DCF Classes
Divorcing parents with minor children in Florida need to take DCF classes. These classes need to be approved by the court. They will teach you about the negative impacts a divorce might have on your family, especially your children.
The courses can also help you through the divorce process. To learn more about affordable DCF classes, check out our options.
