What is Supervised Visitation?

Supervised Visitation refers to contact between a non-custodial parent and one or more children in the presence of a third person responsible for observing and seeking to ensure the safety of those involved.

What is Supervised Exchange?

Supervised Exchange is the 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 Visitations 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 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 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 sage, comfortable environment without having to be put in the middle of their parents’ conflict and/or 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 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 get some valuable time to yourself.

FOR THE NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS: You can be sure that your contact with your children does no t have to be interrupted regardless of any personal or interpersonal problems you may be having.

If allegations have been made against you, which is often the case when supervised visitation 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.

Supervision in the case of parental separation:
When parents separate, the children most often will have primary residence with one parent and regularly spend time with the other. Visitation, contact, and access are words used to refer to post separation contact with the non-custodial parent or another significant person, such as a grandparent, sibling, or other relative. When the courts feel it is appropriate, they may order that such visitation take place in the presence of a third party.

Supervised exchanges may be court ordered or arranged by the parent and are generally appropriate when there is no question about the safety of the child but when one or both parents do not feel safe or comfortable interacting directly with the other. It is always better for the child to not be put into a situation where he/she is exposed to the anger and conflict.

Why not use a friend or relative rather than a professional service, particularly when there is a fee involved?

Often there is nothing to prohibit you from using a “non-professional” relative, friend, or acquaintance. Many courts will allow that as an option providing both parents can agree on who to use. That often does not work out for the following reasons:

• It is difficulty in finding someone on whom you both agree. If you are having sufficient conflict that supervision was deemed necessary, then chances are very slim you will be able to find an individual that both of you will trust and feel comfortable with.
• It puts a real strain on friendships. Many well-meaning friends and relatives will agree to provide the service but will quickly tire of the regular commitment and/or being in the middle of your conflicts. It is difficult for friends and relatives to restrain from taking sides. Once neutrality is lost, then credibility of the “supervisor” will come into question and much of the felling of security and safety will be gone.
• It may actually detract from the quality of parent/child time together. It is often tempting to spend time interacting with the acquaintance rather than focusing on the child. Children may then come to resent the visits because they feel that they are secondary and not primary in the interaction.

What can Madison County CASA do?

1. We can provide a safe and home-like setting with toys, books, and games. The site is secured for the safety of children and staff.
2. We provide services free of charge to each family.
3. We can provide one and two hour visits for families subject to availability.
4. We can terminate a visit if necessary for the comfort or safety of a child.
5. We can do group or individual supervised visits. The type of visit must be predetermined by the judge.
6. We can do visit-exchanges any time during hours of operation.
7. We can provide flexible and we will try to accommodate the families.
8. We endeavor to keep the parties apart. The visiting parent is required to arrive 15 minutes before the visit or exchange and stay for 15 minutes after the custodial parent has left.
9. Our staff has completed a criminal background check and first aid and safety training.
10. We can provide visits for a period of three months. At the end of the three months the judge will review the case.

What can Madison County CASA not do?

1. We do not decide if the visit will be group or individual supervision.
2. We do not decide if visitors are allowed at the visit. Our policy is no visitors allowed and the visiting parent must have a Court Order approving all visitors. We have the right to refuse any visitors if there are safety concerns or if they refuse to follow the rules.
3. We do not allow photographs to be taken except where the custodial parent agrees or the Court orders it and we do not allow any video or audio taping.
4. We do not allow food, candy or drinks in the visitation room.
5. We do not provide feeding bottles, diapers, wipes, medication, etc for child(ren). We ask that the custodial parent bring necessary supplies for the child(ren).
6. We will not give opinions as to whether the visits should be supervised or not. In keeping with the Standards and Guidelines of the Supervised Visitation Network, the monitor(s) will report only what they see and hear.
7. We will not continue visits after three months. All clients will be advised to consult their attorneys for future visitations

TO COUNSEL AND JUDGES: We request that you contact us before assigning visitation days and times to avoid conflict with previously scheduled visits.