Why Always Parents?

Families Change Shape. Love Doesn't Have To.

At Always Parents, we believe that families come in many shapes and sizes, and as families change shape, the importance of caring for and supporting our children remains.

Our online parenting programs go beyond divorce and separation to help parents and caregivers:

❤️ Navigate the challenges of raising children.
❤️ Manage conflict with greater awareness and intention.
❤️ Work together with greater understanding, practical skills, and a child-centered perspective.

Built around the principles of Respect, Restraint, and Responsibility, our programs bring learning to life through relatable, real-life scenarios, practical strategies, and opportunities for personal reflection. Participants explore different perspectives, discover new ways of responding to everyday challenges, and learn how small, meaningful changes can strengthen family relationships and support their children's well-being.


Two Programs. Different Learning Journeys.

4-Hour Impact on Children — $50

A focused learning journey exploring how family changes and parental conflict can affect your child's sense of security, confidence, and future relationships.

Through relatable, real-life scenarios and practical strategies, parents and caregivers discover ways to reduce conflict, strengthen their connection with their child, and make more child-centered choices.

8-Hour Co-Parenting with 
Respect, Restraint & Responsibility — $99

A more in-depth learning journey built around the principles of Respect, Restraint, and Responsibility.

Through relatable, real-life scenarios, guided reflection, and practical exercises, parents and caregivers explore communication, emotional readiness, conflict management, and cooperative parenting strategies that help strengthen family relationships and support their child's well-being.

Both programs combine self-paced online coursework with a required one-hour live Zoom session
led by Steve Primas, MSW, at no additional cost.


During this interactive session, parents have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences,
learn from one another, and explore practical ways to navigate challenges as they move forward.


Impacto en los Niños — $60
4 horasPróximamente / Coming Soon

Coparentalidad
con Respeto, Moderación y Responsabilidad — 8 horas — $99
Próximamente / Coming Soon

Spanish-Language Programs — Coming SoonOur Spanish-language programs offer self-paced online parenting education designed to help parents and caregivers strengthen communication, manage conflict, and support their children's well-being.

The live Zoom session is not required for participants enrolled in our Spanish-language programs.

How to Begin Your Always Parents Online Course

Everything you need to know before getting started.

Step 1: Choose Your Course

Review the two programs described above and choose the learning journey that best meets your needs. Both include self-paced online coursework and a required one-hour live Zoom session at no additional cost.


Step 2: Register and Begin Learning

After choosing your course:

1. Complete your registration and payment.
2. Create your Always Parents learner account.
3. Sign in to access your course.
4. Begin your online lessons whenever you're ready.

You can work at your own pace and return to your coursework as your schedule allows.

You have 365 days from your enrollment date to complete your course.

All course payments are non-refundable.


Step 3: Complete Your Course Assessments

Your course includes five final assessment sections designed to reinforce what you've learned.

You must achieve a passing score of at least 75% on each section. You may retake assessments as many times as needed.

Once you've completed your required coursework and assessments, you'll be ready for the live Zoom session.


Step 4: Attend Your Required Live Zoom Session

Join Steve Primas, MSW, for a one-hour live online Zoom session.

This interactive meeting gives you an opportunity to ask questions, explore practical parenting challenges, and learn from the experiences of other parents.

The live session is required and included in your course fee.

You must attend at least 50 minutes for your attendance to be verified.

Live Zoom Session Schedule

• First and third Saturdays: 9:00–10:00 AM Pacific Time (PT)
• Second and fourth Wednesdays: 7:00–8:00 PM Pacific Time (PT)

Schedules may vary due to holidays or vacations.

You'll find the scheduling instructions in your course. Simply choose an available session that works with your schedule.


Step 5: Complete Your Course Exit Evaluation

After attending your live Zoom session, complete the required Always Parents Course Exit Evaluation.

This evaluation helps us understand your learning experience and fulfills an important part of our program's reporting requirements.

Your certificate cannot be issued until all required coursework, assessments, live attendance, and the exit evaluation have been completed and verified.


Step 6: Receive Your Certificate of Completion

Once your course requirements have been verified, we will complete the final administrative approval process.

Your Certificate of Completion will then be issued electronically.

Your certificate remains valid for 365 days from its issue date.

Please review your court's filing instructions to determine how your certificate must be submitted.


Who Can Take Our Courses?

You do not need an active court case to enroll.

Our programs welcome parents and caregivers from many family structures and circumstances. Whether you're navigating divorce, separation, changes in parenting arrangements, or simply looking for ways to strengthen family relationships, you're welcome here.


Court Acceptance

Our coursework meets the parenting education requirements outlined in Pierce County Superior Court Local Rule for Special Proceedings 94.05 for parents with children under age 18 involved in:

• Dissolution of marriage
• Legal separation
• Parenting plan modification
• Third-party custody matters
• Paternity cases


Filing outside Pierce County?

Our certificates are accepted by many courts, but requirements vary. Please confirm acceptance with your court administrator before enrolling.


Language Availability

Both English-language courses are available now. Spanish-language courses and closed captioning are coming soon.


Financial Assistance

Always Parents offers a sliding fee scale for eligible participants to help make our parenting education programs more accessible.

All sliding fee scale applications must be submitted and approved before registering for a course.

To request financial assistance, please complete our online Sliding Fee Scale Application.

Meet Our Team

Behind Always Parents is a dedicated team bringing together decades of experience in

counseling, family engagement, and child advocacy.

Together, we share a commitment to helping parents and caregivers navigate family changes,
strengthen relationships, and keep children's well-being at the heart of every decision.

Susan Wilson, MA, LMHC

Founder and Host


Susan Wilson is a licensed mental health counselor and founder of Always Parents, Families in Transition.

Before retiring from private practice, she supported individuals and families in Pierce County for more than 17 years.


Today, she focuses on developing educational programs that help families navigate changing relationships and build healthier co-parenting connections.

Steve Primas, MSW

Steve Primas, MSW, is the Founder and CEO of Always Coaching, LLC, where he serves as a Parent, Co-Parent, Reunification, and Marriage Coach. He brings more than 25 years of social work experience, including over 15 years in Child Welfare.

For more than 15 years, Steve has facilitated court-mandated Always Parents parenting seminars, helping parents understand how separation and divorce affect children. His compassionate, practical approach emphasizes healthy communication, accountability, and children's well-being.

Through Always Coaching, Steve helps parents strengthen family relationships, move beyond conflict, and build healthier, more supportive futures.

Julio Serrano, BA

Presenter | Retired Family Engagement Regional Program Manager | GAL


Before retiring, Julio spent more than two decades supporting families throughout Pierce County in the field of social services.  As a Title 13 Guardian ad Litem, he advocated for children in foster care.

Today, Julio continues to share his experience and expertise as a presenter for Always Parents, Families in Transition, helping parents and caregivers navigate family changes and move forward with their children's well-being in mind.