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Seven Hills Behavioral Health
Safe Child Visitation Center
A Collaborative Effort between Seven Hills Behavioral Health and the Women’s Center at SSTAR and Our Sister’s Place
The primary purpose of the Safe Child Visitation Center is to promote the safety and welfare of children and parents during visitation and exchanges. As the fabric of our nation’s families has changed over the last decade, so too has our need to provide a service that will allow these new family groups to keep in touch, particularly the non-custodial parents and extended families of children. Divorce, separation, domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse all contribute to the need for children to have a safe place to visit with family members. The collaborative works to ensure that children will have a safe, neutral setting to establish relationships with the non-custodial adults in their lives.
The program was developed to promote a healthy atmosphere between parents and their children during an often stressful time. The program promotes a zero tolerance for violence that might otherwise occur between family members. The Safe Child Visitation Center was formed in recognition of the fact that parent-child bonds may become increasingly unstable and fragile due to difficult situations involving family violence, separation, divorce, or court proceedings. The Safe Child Visitation Center offers an option to families and decreases the risk of violations of 209A’s during visitation and exchanges with children.
The primary goal of the Safe Child Visitation Center is to protect children from further violence, trauma and betrayal. The multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff is trained in issues of family violence, child custody and visitation. Staff are able to offer guidance and support to all members of the family.
Services
Supervised Visits are necessary when there has been a history of family violence, child abuse and/or neglect so that a child can feel safe while redefining their relationships with the adults in their lives. The Safe Child Visitation Center allows children to visit with family members in a safe and neutral setting.
Unsupervised Site Visits are also possible, without close monitoring, and may be held at the Center if the adult does not have a suitable home for their child to visit or they are currently residing in a shelter.
Supervised Exchanges happen when the Center acts as a neutral drop off and pick up location for children and their parents. The Center’s location allows children to visit with their non-custodial parent or relative without experiencing additional anxiety or conflict. Children develop a relationship with the staff during these exchanges and are encouraged to share any concerns they might have with them.
Consultations take place between family members and attorneys, therapists and other professional entities. Clients may seek permission from the Center to determine whether it might be an appropriate location to hold a meeting. Information and resources are made available regarding custody issues and the effects of children witnessing domestic violence and high conflict custody situations between family members.
Referrals are made by the Department of Social Services and the Bristol County Probate and Family courts. A copy of the court order must be supplied to the Safe Child Visitation Center before visitation is coordinated. An evaluation is then completed by the Center Coordinator to establish the level of need and risk. Parents may make a self-referral for supervised exchanges only.
To contact the Safe Child Visitation Center for more information or to learn about other resources that may be available, call 1.508.646.3521.
Behavioral Health |
Copyright © 2006 Seven Hills Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
