Supervised Parenting Time
Supervised Parenting Time refers to
parenting time during which a third party is responsible for observing
and ensuring the safety of the child(ren) is present. Supervised
parenting time is often court ordered following serious allegations of
abuse or neglect of one or more children by a parent of the child(ren).
Supervised parenting time is an excellent tool that can help families
transition through difficult times.
It is important that children are provided the
opportunity to have a relationship with both of their parents.
Supervised parenting time provides an opportunity for children and the
visiting parent to continue their relationship when it might not
otherwise be possible. The Layne Project’s supervised parenting
time program allows for children to have safe contact with the visiting
parent, without being put in the middle of parental conflict.
The Layne Project is a member of the Supervised
Visitation Network (www.svnetwork.net
). All Layne Project supervisors have an undergraduate or graduate
degree in social work or mental health, and are experienced and trained
in child abuse and neglect cases. Supervised parenting time is
available on- and off-site to help provide maximum comfort for the
child(ren), and is offered in blocks of one to six hours on evenings
and weekends. The Layne Projects offers a sliding fee scale. An
initial intake appointment is required prior to arranging the first
supervised parenting time.
Benefits of Supervised Parenting Time
- Eliminates the need for parents to communicate with,
or have contact with, their co-parent regarding parenting
time.
- Helps the non-visiting parent to feel comfortable
allowing contact between the child(ren) and the visiting parent, while
ensuring the safety of the child(ren).
- Assures consistent and regular parenting time with
the visiting parent.
- Allows the opportunity for the visiting parent to
continue his/her relationship with the child(ren).
- Assures that the third-party observer is a neutral,
objective and trained professional.
- Provides the visiting parent an opportunity to spend
time with the child(ren) without fear of new allegations against
him/her.
- Upon request of either parent or the court, The Layne
Project can provide a report of observations made during supervised
parenting time sessions.
Limitations of Supervised Parenting Time
- The Layne Project will not determine when a family
should transition beyond the need for supervised parenting time.
Rationale: In the event of a court order for
supervised parenting time, the determination to modify that order must
be made by the court. If the decision that supervised parenting time is
necessary was made at the direction of another party, or at the
agreement of the parties involved, this determination must be made by
the directing party or the mutual agreement of the parties themselves.
- The Layne Project will not make recommendations to
the court.
Rationale: The Layne Project does not act as a case
manager, custody evaluator or guardian ad litem when utilized for
supervised parenting time. The Layne Project, through the supervised
parenting time program, only obtains information gained during the
initial intake process and subsequent supervised parenting times. Layne
Project personnel do not conduct an independent investigation;
therefore, The Layne Project does not have enough information to make a
recommendation to the court as to whether or not supervised parenting
time continues to be necessary. The Layne Project will submit reports
to the court or the participating parties upon request. These reports
document the observations made by the supervisor during supervised
parenting time, and the court can utilize this report to help determine
whether or not it is appropriate to transition past supervised
parenting time.
Intake Procedure
In most instances, it is the court that will order
supervised parenting time. However, The Layne Project does not require
a court order for parents to utilize our supervised parenting time
program. Following initial contact with The Layne Project, each parent
will receive an intake questionnaire. Interviews will then be scheduled
for each parent to individually meet with The Layne Project program
coordinator. Prior to scheduling the initial supervised parenting time,
the program coordinator will also meet with the participating
child(ren).
Upon completion of the intake questionnaire, the initial
intake interviews, and review of any pertinent court orders, regular
supervised parenting time will be scheduled pursuant to the court
order. If the court does not dictate a specific parenting time
schedule, The Layne Project program coordinator will work with all
parties involved to create a schedule which accommodates each
family’s specific situation.
The program coordinator will complete a minimum of one
on site supervised parenting time with the family prior to assigning
the case to one of The Layne Project’s highly qualified
supervisors. After a case is assigned to a supervisor, the program
coordinator will intermittently fill in for the supervisor throughout
the duration of the program in order to ensure objective and fair
reporting. Scheduling, requests for modifications to the schedule, or
any request for off-site parenting time must be approved by the program
coordinator, not the individual supervisor. The Layne Project only
submits reports at the request of the court or the individual parties.
The duration of required supervised parenting time is
determined by the court. As long as the family is compliant with the
rules and procedures of The Layne Project, we will provide supervised
parenting time for families as long as necessary.
Supervised Exchanges
Supervised exchanges are offered at The Layne Project
office or in the community. Prior to initiating supervised exchange,
The Layne Project will separately meet with each parent and the child
to complete an intake process. Supervised exchange provides families
the opportunity to exchange their child(ren) without coming in contact
with the other parent, minimizing the conflict between parents and
providing for a neutral safe environment for all parties involved. The
parent dropping off the child(ren) will leave the child(ren) with a
licensed professional at the designated exchange location 15 minutes
before the scheduled exchange time and immediately leave the premises.
The parent picking up the child(ren) will arrive at the designated
exchange location 15 minutes after the children’s arrival.
Parents have absolutely no contact during these exchanges. Each parent
is required to sign in and their arrival/departure times are
documented.
Monitored Phone Contact
In addition to supervised parenting time, The Layne
Project offers monitored telephone contact in order to maintain the
relationship between parent and child. Like supervised parenting time,
monitored phone contact helps families with the transition during
difficult times. Monitored phone contact generally occurs hand in hand
with our supervised parenting time program. The Layne Project will
provide this service independent of supervised parenting time, but in
such situation both parents and the child must individually complete an
intake appointment.
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For more information:
Trina A. Nudson, J.D., LBSW
Program Director
trina@thelayneproject.com
Monica DeCicco, LMSW
Assistant Program Director
monica@thelayneproject.com
313 N Chestnut
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913.829.3711
Fax: 913.829.8858
Email: info@thelayneproject.com
The Layne Project, Inc. does not offer legal
services.
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