CVP

What is Supervised Visitation?

The public policy of the State of California is to protect the best interests of children whose parents have a custody or visitation matter within the family courts. Sometimes, based on issues of protection and safety, a judge will decide that in order for a child to have contact with a parent, a neutral third person must be present during any visitation. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called "supervised visitation".

A judge may order supervised visitation for many reasons, like:

• to give the visiting parent a chance to address specific issues
• to help reintroduce a parent and a child after a long absence
• to help introduce a parent and a child when there has been no existing relationship between the parent and the child
• when there is a history or allegations of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, or substance abuse
• when there are parenting concerns or mental illness
• when there is a parental threat of abduction

The court order will specify the time and duration of the visits. Sometimes, the court order will also specify who the supervised visitation provider is to be and where the visits are to take place.

Who is a Supervised Visitation Provider?

There are three types of Supervised Visitation Providers: (1) the nonprofessional provider, (2) the professional provider, and (3) the therapeutic provider. All Supervised Visitation Providers must agree to follow the Uniform Standards of Practice for Providers of Supervised Visitation.

The professional and therapeutic providers usually charge a fee for services and are experienced in and trained to provide supervised visitation services. The non-professional provider is usually a family member or friend who does not provide supervised visitation services. Your court order will usually say which type of provider you have to use to supervise these visits.

Are There Qualifications for a Supervised Visitation Provider?

Yes. All providers of supervised visitation must meet minimum qualifications prior to providing services.

Are there Training Requirements for a Supervised Visitation Provider?

Yes. Professional and therapeutic providers should receive training on the topics outlined in Standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration.

What is the Job of the Supervised Visitation Provider?

The provider is there to make every effort to keep your child safe and support your child in enjoying the visit with the supervised parent. Whether a paid professional, family member or friend, the provider's job is to make sure that the children involved in the visits are safe and free from any unnecessary stress. The provider must be present at all times during the visit, listen to what is being said, and pay close attention to the child's behavior. If necessary, the provider may interrupt or end a visit. All providers are to report suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 540-4000.

What are the boundaries between parent responsibility and provider responsibility for children during the provision of service?

Parents are responsible for the care of the child and the child's belongings during supervised visits, subject to any contrary order of the court.

Providers are responsible for the care and protection of a child during the transition of the child from one parent to another.

What is Supervised Exchange?

Supervised Exchanges sometimes referred to as "Monitored Exchanges" or "Supervised/Monitored Transfers", is supervision of the transfer of the child from one parent to the other. Supervision is limited to the exchange or transfer only with the remainder of the parent/child contact remaining unsupervised. Most frequently precautions are taken to assure that the two parents or other individuals exchanging the child do not come into contact with one another.

What is the purpose?

Both Supervised Visits and Supervised Exchanges are designed to assure that a child can have safe contact with an absent parent without having to be put in the middle of the parents' conflicts or other problems. It is the child's need that is paramount in making any decisions regarding the need for such supervision. However, there are also some significant benefits to parents. It is our hope that no one will look upon supervised visitation or exchange as a negative or stigmatized service. It is a tool that can help families as they go through difficult and/or transitional times. Some of the benefits for the various family members are as follows:

For the children:

• It allows the children to maintain a relationship with both of their parents, something that is generally found to be an important factor in the positive adjustment to family dissolution.
• It allows them to anticipate the visits without stress of worrying about what is going to happen and to enjoy them in a safe, comfortable environment without having to be put in the middle of their parents' conflict and/or other problems.

For the custodial parents:

• You do not have to communicate or have contact with a person with whom you are in conflict or by whom you might be frightened or intimidated. The arrangements can be made by a neutral party (the Monitoring Coordinator) and there does not have to be contact before, during, or after the visits.
• You can relax and feel comfortable allowing your child to have contact with the other parent and can get some valuable time to yourself.

For the non-custodial parents:

• You can be sure that your contact with your children does not have to be interrupted regardless of any personal or interpersonal problems you may be having.
• If allegations have been made against you, which are often the case when supervision is ordered, you can visit without fear of any new accusations because there is someone present who can verify what happened during your time together. When using a professional service, you can also be assured that the supervisors are neutral and objective.

Who pays for the supervised visitation?

The judge makes that decision based on the financial status of the parents and information given to them by the attorneys. In most cases the parent being supervised pays the monitoring fee. Sometimes the parents split the cost of the fee or even friends or family members pay the fee so the visiting parent can see their child.

How is the payment made from the parent to the Visitation Monitor?

A cash payment with exact change is to be paid at the beginning of each visit. Monitor will give you a receipt.

How long is each supervised visit?

The judge will determine how many hours a parent will get each week or every other week. There is a two-hour minimum visit fee required with us regardless of time allowed.

What activities can I do with my children during a supervised visit?

We always adhere to any stipulations in the court order. We also want you to enjoy your visits and do activities that you usually do with your child. We supervise visits at parks, family homes, shopping malls, movies, and beaches for some examples. We do not supervise visits at any of the large amusement parks. The reason for this is that they are too large which makes it difficult to hear conversations between the parent and child. As well as to ensure that the child does not get lost or the parent flees with the child.

Who pays for the activities?

The Visiting Parent is responsible for all the expenses incurred during the visit for themselves, the child and the Monitor. The only exception being that the parent is not responsible for paying for food for the Monitor during regular events.