Parental Rules & Guidelines
SUPERVISED VISITATION GUIDELINES
1. The following procedures must be followed:
a. The monitor 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 fifteen (15) minutes after the end of the scheduled exchange. Custodial parent and/or designees will be required to leave the area immediately upon 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 at the exact hour of the scheduled exchange.
d. Fees for services must be paid in full, in-cash, prior to each visit. No refunds.
e. Parents must arrive promptly at the scheduled time.
f. If a parent or designee is more than 5 minutes early or late, he/she will have to pay $2.00 for each additional minute. No refunds.
g. Use of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs is prohibited.
2. The following must be avoided:
a. Inappropriate touching of the child(ren)s body
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 and/or hearing range of the monitor.
3. Parents and/or designees must avoid each other completely, when deemed necessary.
4. There will be no correspondence (e.g. regarding child support) or messages to the other parent by means of child(ren), monitor, etc. It is prohibited to use the visitation, scheduled exchange site or surrounding areas for the service of court documents.
5. Monitors 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 (food) requests are not monitored or enforced. Custodial and visiting parties are responsible to meet the needs of children while children are in each individual’s care, e.g. diaper bag or baby food.
6. Parents must 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. Discussions and activities should focus on the present so as to avoid added pressure and/or disappointment of the child(ren).
7. Parents will not speak negatively about the child(ren)’s other parent and his/her family in front of the child(ren). Concerns should be addressed during office hours.
8. Parents must not question the child(ren) about the other parent’s whereabouts or activities.
9. Parents will not use alcohol or non-prescribed drugs 24 hours prior to or during their visit with the child(ren). Visits will be cancelled if a parent is suspected of using these substances.
10. Parents and children must speak English during the supervised visit unless there is a monitor present who speaks a family’s native language. Parents must speak loud enough for monitor to hear. No whispering.
11. Phone calls to other individuals are not permitted at anytime during the supervised visit. The use of cellular phones is not permitted during the scheduled visit unless in case of emergencies only.
12. Weapons or any articles that could be used as weapons are not permitted on the supervised visit.
13. Family members and friends authorized by the court to participate in the visitation that do not comply with the monitors guidelines and rules will result in the cancellation of the supervised visitation.
14. The visiting parent may bring a snack for the child(ren).
15. 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 at the first visit when there has been a substantial time of separation between visiting parent and child(ren). The Monitor will not monitor or enforce what is given.
16. If for any reason you are unable to bring the child(ren) or attend the visit with your child(ren) it is your responsibility to notify the Monitor and the other parent. In the event of adult parties not having access to each other’s telephone numbers, the monitor will confirm cancellations. Both parents must confirm mutually agreed upon cancellations with the monitor. Please provide plenty of notice to the monitor otherwise cancellation fees will apply; please see the ‘Fees for Service section (2-e.)’ listed above.
17. 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. You will be responsible for paying the appropriate fee and children will be returned to the custodial party.
18. Except for late cancellation or inability to arrive on time, all calls are to be placed to the monitor during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (PST).
19. Photographs may be taken during visits with the prior approval of Administration, the child(ren), and the custodial parent. The custodial party must sign consent form prior to photographs being taken. Photographs should not be taken of monitors or any participant at any time. Monitor shall not take photographs of the parents and child(ren). NO audio or visual recording is permitted for any reason.
20. There are to be no changes in the supervised visitation schedule unless approved by the court and/or monitor. 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.
22. There shall be no permanent alteration of the child(ren) during visitation without prior approval of the custodial parent. This includes, but not limited to: haircuts, tattoos, body/ear piercing, etc.
23. Non-compliance with any rule or challenging the supervised monitor may lead to termination of services.
24. If medication is needed during visits, the custodial parent (guardian) must provide written consent giving the visiting parent permission to administer the medication. Only prescription medication will be accepted in a pre-measured dose.
WRITTEN REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Reports will be completed upon written request. Payment is due at the time of request. A Summary Report consists of a list of visitation dates only. A Detailed Summary Report gives a list of visitation dates and brief up to specific details of each visit.
· Observation notes will be kept by the Monitor during each visit. Monitor will also keep a record of all phone calls and other interactions between clients.
· I will receive a copy of the report as well as all parties.
· If a visit is terminated or if services are terminated for any reason, all parties and the Court will be notified via written notice which will give reason(s) for the termination.
· See the ‘Fees for Service section (2-f.) listed above for all fees associated with Reports.
TERMINATING SERVICES
The Monitor reserves the right to refuse access, cancel or terminate a visit or all services if I, the non-custodial/custodial parent, violates the Agreement for Service or if the Monitor feels threatened or if he/she feels that it is not in the best interest of my child(ren) or myself to continue (or accept) my case.
CONFIDENTIALITY
a. No privilege of confidentiality exists between me and the Monitor. This includes any communication, whether written, observed or heard between monitor and myself, myself and my child(ren) monitor and child, or myself and other parties.
b. The observation notes, heard comments, spoken information or any other information will be shared when:
i. Requested by the court mediator, court investigator, or evaluator in conjunction with a court ordered mediation, investigation or evolution.
ii. Required by Child Protective Services.
iii. Required by a law enforcement agency.
iv. When a report is requested by either party or their attorney.
c. In addition, my case file may be reviewed during an evaluation by the evaluator or attorney.
d. The Monitor will keep identifying information such as, addresses, place of work, phone numbers, etc. confidential. This information will not be included in any reports except when ordered by the court, reporting child abuse or to police agencies in the event of abduction.
NOTE: IF THESE RULES ARE VIOLATED OR THE CHILD BECOMES UPSET FOR ANY REASON, THE VISIT MAY BE TERMINATED, ALL PARTIES WILL BE NOTIFIED, AND A TERMINATION FEE OF $50 WILL BE CHARGED (IF VISITATION IS CANCELLED DUE TO RULE VIOLATION).
Letter from A Bright Future
Dear Parents,
During periods of major change or stress, it is not unusual for children to have difficulty transitioning between environments or important relationships. To assist children in these areas, We recommend that you use the following procedures:
1. Children are very perceptive of the feelings of the people they love. They often wish to please parents by fulfilling their parents’ expectations.
2. Help them to get ready for their visit or contact with the person they are about to see. Support them in choosing what they want to wear and anything they may want to take with them to use during the visit/contact or to show to the other person. Let the visits become a normal part of the weekly routine.
3. Tell them their destination. If they cry or say they don’t want to go, tell them you’re sorry they are having a hard time and that they can talk about their feelings with the person they are about to see, if they want to. Clearly tell them that this is not their choice. It is an adult choice (like attending school) and that you will see them after their visit or session. Tell them that you would like them to try to enjoy their contact with the other person, and assure them that you will be there when they return.
4. Since this is an adult choice, it is not helpful to engage them in discussion of why they don’t want to attend or to support them in telephoning third parties to discuss the issue. This only perpetuates and escalates the behavior and also causes additional stress to them.
5. Help them to exercise the choices they do have within each setting - e.g., which activities they would like to request during a visit, whether they want to use the stairs or elevator to get to where they are going.
6. Support their autonomy and coping ability by setting limits with regressive or developmentally inappropriate behavior (I.e., tearfulness, tantrums). Calm, limit-setting and consistent encouragement can be remarkably effective in helping a child to calm down and complete a task successfully. Conversely, bargaining or giving in to such behavior generally guarantees that the difficulty will occur again.
7. Scheduling conflicting activities implies that a child has a choice. Avoid scheduling activities that conflict with their other parent/guardian visits, therapy, etc. When scheduling conflicts occur due to recognized activities, make direct contact with the other adults involved and attempt to adjust the schedule to allow for both the visit and the activity. Do not involve them in discussions or negotiations. Only tell them the end result.
8. Make the transition on a positive note. Send them off with a statement such a “have a good time with Mom/Dad!” I’ll see you after your visit.
9. It is more supportive to a child’s therapy if the parent accompanies her to the session and, in most circumstances, waits in the outer office.
10. Take care of yourselves - it’s clear that you both have strong feelings about the current situation. I encourage you to make use of the adult supports available to you, such as your own therapists, so that your feelings can be addressed in an appropriate setting and will not impact on their visits or treatment.
“A Bright Future is dedicated to providing safe, reliable and healthy visits”
