visitation guidelines

The following rules of conduct will be explained to you by the Supervised Visitation Worker (SVW) during the Intake Interview:

1.   The following must be FOLLOWED:         

 a.  The SVW will be present at all times during the visit.     

 b.  The custodial parent will arrive fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the scheduled exchange and return exactly at the end of the scheduled exchange. The custodial parent will be required to leave the area immediately upon signing-in/dropping off child(ren) and picking up child(ren).  

  c.   The non-custodial parent will arrive at the exact hour of the scheduled exchange and will return fifteen (15) minutes prior to the end of the scheduled exchange.     

 d.   Fees for services must be paid in full prior to each visit. No refunds are permitted   

 e.   The visiting parent must arrive promptly at the scheduled time.   

 f.   Use of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs during a visitation is prohibited.

2.   The following must be AVOIDED:      

a.   Inappropriate touching of the child(ren)   

b.   Inappropriate demands for physical contact        

c.   Use of foul language       

d.   Shouting or yelling at ANYONE      

e.   Threat of physical abuse or violence to ANYONE      

f.    Attempts to move child(ren) away from the sight or hearing range of the SWV

3   There will be no correspondence regarding; child support or messages to the other parent by means of child(ren), SVW, etc. It is prohibited to use the visitation, scheduled exchange site or surrounding areas for the service of court documents.

4.   SVW will only exchange information in regards to the child(ren)’s medical needs (i.e. medications, dietary needs) or visitations.  Only prescription medication may be sent in pre-measured doses.  Any other dietary   requests are not monitored or enforced. Custodial and visiting parties are responsible to meet the care needs while children are in each individual’s care, ex. diaper changing, feeding etc.*Sexual Abuse (SA) cases are exempt from diaper changing.

 5.  Parent will not share detailed court information or court documents with the child(ren) or make promises to the child(ren) about future living arrangements, time sharing, or visitation modifications. 

6.   Parents will not speak negatively about the child(ren)’s other parent and his/her family in front of the child(ren).  

7.   Parents must not question the child(ren) about the other parent’s whereabouts or activities.

8. Parents and children must speak English during the supervised visit unless there is a SVW present who speaks the family’s native language. Parents must speak loud enough for SVW to hear.  No whispering is allowed.

9. Firearms and other weapons are not permitted during the supervised visit.

10. Family members and friends authorized by the court to participate in the visitation that do not comply with the SVW guidelines and rules will result in the cancellation of the supervised visitation.

11.  No gifts for the child(ren) are permitted, with the exception of the child(ren)’s birthday(s), Christmas, Hanukkah or other holidays at which gifts are usually given.  Gifts will also be allowed during the first visit when there has been a substantial time of separation between visiting parent and child(ren). The SVW can not examine or confiscate what is given. 

12. Failure of the visiting parent to arrive within 15 minutes of your designated time of arrival without calling to let us know that you will be running late, will result in cancellation.  

13. Except for late cancellation or inability to arrive on time, all calls are to be placed to the SVW 7 days a week 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

14. Photographs may be taken during visits with the prior approval of Diversified Pathways. Photographs should not be taken of SVW at any time. SVW shall not take photographs of the parents and child(ren).

 15. There are to be no changes in the supervised visitation schedule unless approved by the court and/or Diversified Pathways. Once the day and time has been set, it will be followed on a weekly basis, unless either party requests a change.  Changes in the schedule need to be done one week prior to visitation.

16.  Non-compliance with any guidelines or verbal or physical abuse towards the supervised visitation worker will lead to termination of services.