Monitored Drop-Ins
The Layne Project offers monitored drop in services. With this services the supervisor will make at least one unannounced drop in during the parent’s unsupervised parenting time. The drop in can occur in the community or in the parents’ home. The Layne Project will provide this service independent of supervised parenting time, but both parents must individually complete an intake appointment.
Monitored Phone Contact
In addition to supervised parenting time, The Layne Project offers monitored phone/Facetime contact in order to maintain the relationship between parent and child(ren). Monitored phone/Facetime 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 both parents must individually complete an intake appointment.
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.
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 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 staff member 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.