Start with the people who already see the problem every week. Ask a small question before a big one, keep every message short, and make the next step easy. Everything below can be copied and changed.
01 · Who to reach first
They see the need every day and hand families lists of classes. Being on or near that list is the biggest single source of referrals.
First small ask: Ask what parent classes they point families to, what those cost, and what a provider needs to do to be listed.
They tell clients to take a class every week, and a good class makes their work easier.
First small ask: Ask what they wish existed for clients. Offer a one page summary and a few referral cards.
Children show the strain first at the doctor and at school.
First small ask: Ask what they do today when a child is stressed by a parent conflict, and where they send the parents.
They have rooms, trust and a steady flow of families. The course stays secular; they just host and refer.
First small ask: Ask if they would host one evening, or keep a stack of cards at the front desk.
They fund prevention and child wellbeing, and they like a small pilot with a clear way to measure results.
First small ask: Ask if they accept a short inquiry before a full application, and who reads it.
Students need placements and faculty need community partners. They can also help with evaluation.
First small ask: Ask who coordinates internships and community research partnerships.
The Judicial Council's Access and Visitation grant (parent education for noncustodial parents) takes applications until 5:00 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Only superior courts can apply, and a nonprofit joins as the court's partner, with a 20 percent match. A new program cannot apply alone, so the practical step is to ask a Bay Area court's family law division whether it is applying and would name a program like this as a partner. The Judicial Council program coordinator is reachable at (916) 643-8004. Read on October 11, 2026; confirm before relying on it.
All read on official pages on October 11, 2026. Contacts and rules change, so confirm each one before you call or write.
Publishes a combined referral list with a parenting and co-parenting section. This is the clearest way in: send Local Form FamLaw-132 to fcs@contracosta.courts.ca.gov, attention FCS Manager. Ask for the current form first.
Posts a list of parenting education classes, revised April 20, 2026, with fees from no fee up to $620 per person. The page does not say how to be listed. Phone (408) 534-5760.
Strongly recommends a parent education class and posts a list of agencies. Ask how a program is added. Phone (650) 261-5080, FCS@sanmateocourt.org.
Offers a free orientation but posts no parent class list. Ask whether the court keeps or accepts one. Phone (415) 551-5060; confirm the email on the court page.
Alameda posts an outside resource list with a co-parenting section; Marin sends custody requests through orientation and counseling. Neither publishes how to be added. Marin's Family Law Facilitator and Self Help Center: (415) 444-7130.
Runs six-week workshops for parents and children and says it invites other providers to start a series through a partnership. Ask what a partnership needs. kidsturn@safeandsound.org, (415) 668-0494.
An online divorce parenting course with randomized-trial evidence. Its developer says it is free to county courts and costs parents $49. Know this before you describe a free program as new, and ask whether they would partner or refer.
Fees and rules are what each sponsor's own site said on October 11, 2026. Get terms in writing before choosing one.
02 · Messages to copy
Replace the words in [brackets]. Send the first one alone. Save the pitch for the second message, after they answer.
Short and light. One question, no pitch yet.
Hi [Name], quick question. When families in a custody case ask you where to find a free parenting class, what do you tell them? I am helping build a free one for parents in high conflict splits and want to hear what is missing. Do you have two minutes this week?
The pitch goes in the second message, and it stays small.
Thank you, that helps a lot. It is a free online course plus small parent circles, built on research about what protects children when parents split. Would it be useful if I sent a one page summary and a card you could hand to families? No strings attached.
For a clerk or program coordinator.
Hello, my name is [Name]. I am working on a free parenting class for families in high conflict custody cases, and I am trying to learn how classes get on your referral list. Who is the right person to ask, and is there a form or a page I should read first?
Ask about fit before sending a full proposal.
Hello [Name], I am planning a free parent education pilot for families in high conflict divorce and custody cases, starting with one county and measuring results with established questionnaires. Before I send anything, does this fit your priorities, and is a short inquiry the right first step?
No guilt. Easy to say no.
Hi [Name], floating this back up in case it got buried. If now is not a good time, no problem at all, and thank you either way.
Send within a day. Say what you will do next.
Thank you for the time today, [Name]. As promised I will send the one page summary by [day]. One thing I took away: [one specific thing they said]. I will keep you posted as it moves forward.
Offer to do all the work.
Hi [Name], we are planning a one evening talk for local parents going through a separation: one calming skill, a short talk and time for questions. We would handle everything and bring printed materials. Would an evening in [month] work in your community room?
03 · A four week plan
Ticks are saved on this device only, so your progress is still here next time.
Contacts and requirements change, so check each page before you rely on it. These messages are starting points: use your own words where you can.