Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange

The City of Chicago provides no-cost Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange services to families with a history of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse at three nonprofit agencies in Chicago, when one parent is a resident of Chicago. The three agencies are:

• Apna Ghar located on Chicago's North side which has a special expertise in serving Asian victims of violence. 4350 N. Broadway, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60602 TELEPHONE (773)883-4663 FAX (773) 883-4664

• Mujeres Latinas en Accion located in the Pilsen area serves predominately Latina victims of violence; 1823 W. 1ih St., Chicago, IL 60608 TELEPHONE (773)890-7676 FAX (773) 890-7650

• Metropolitan Family Services located on the South side of Chicago 3843 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60629 TELEPHONE (773)884-3310 FAX (773) 884-0003

The staff at these agencies are trained to handle high conflict cases. Each of these agencies provides safe, culturally sensitive services in an environment free of violence where non-custodial parents can visit or safely exchange children for visitation as a condition of a court order.

Lack of contact between the custodial and non-custodial parents is a key feature of both supervised visitation and safe exchange. At each agency, service space and appointment scheduling are arranged so custodial and non-custodial parents do not encounter each other, so that the children do not witness ongoing conflict or abuse. Each of the three nonprofit agencies

also provides information and referrals to comprehensive services for custodial parents and children, including crisis intervention counseling, parental support and training, individual and group counseling.

Supervised Visitation Orders should not include specific dates or times for visits The consensus among these three Chicago-based agencies is that supervised visitations and exchanges are most effectively implemented when the court order stipulating the process for the non-custodial parent does not include specific days and times. Experience has revealed that court orders to these three Centers should be as general as possible allowing centers the flexibility they need to accommodate both parents and center schedules. Time or day specific orders may mistakenly schedule visits when one parent is unavailable or a Center is not open.

Supervised Visitation Orders should include a return date or termination date The centers have also discovered that court orders need to reflect end dates for the visitations and exchanges. If there is no established end date in place, families must continue visitations or exchanges for indefinite periods of time, or until the minor children reach age 18. Initially, we feared that the non-custodial parent would engage in violence again once the court ordered conditions had been met, but the centers have witnessed that visitations and exchanges often help families effectively transition to lives free of violence and abuse.

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Metropolitan Family Services

Safe Exchange & Supervised Visits Offered at Midway

Our Midway Center, 3843 West 63rd St., Chicago, offers a program called Midway Connections. This program offers Safe Exchange & Supervised Visits program to provide a secure, conflict­free place for parents to take their children for court appointed exchanges from one parent to the other. It also allows non-custodial parents and their children a chance to spend time together in a safe and comforting environment. The program aims to make a separation less traumatic and help children build and maintain healthy relationships with their parents or guardians. The services are free to eligible participants.

Metropolitan Family Ser·vices empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part

motivator, part advocate, since 1857 Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that

empowers Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively rmpact therr

communities.

Metr·opolitan Family Services has more than 800 full- and part-time professional staff dedicated to

providmg quality services to families throughout Chicago, DuPage County, Evanston/ Skokie and the

southwest suburbs. Metropolitan serves more than 53,000 families and individuals as diver·se as the

communities in which they live, with 81% being part of the working poor or· lower-middle class.

I MUJERES LATINAS EN ACCI6N

Project Sanctuary is part of Mujeres Latinas en Acci6n's Parent Support Program. This component offers court ordered supervised visitation for non-custodial parents and their children. The program allows children to maintain a positive relationship with the non-custodial parent. Project Sanctuary staff work to

ensure that the safety of the participants and the needs of the children are a priority.

Visits are free of charge and are offered in English and Spanish from Tuesday through Saturday for one

hour per visit. The visits take place at:

1823 W. 17th Street Chicago IL 60608

Mujeres Latinas en Acci6n also offers Safe Exchange which ensures a neutral and safe location for

parents to pick up and drop off their children for unsupervised visits.

The Parent Support Program is part of the DCFS Family Advocacy Center, entity that provides support for

parents and families.

For more information, please contact Heidi at heidi@mujereslat.org.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) funds and/or monitors Partner Abuse Intervention Programs (PAIP) across the state. These programs provide domestic violence perpetrator services such as assessment, individual and group education, and case coordination with referral sources. These services help perpetrators accept responsibility, modify abusive attitudes and beliefs, and give them tools to become and remain, healthy non-abusive partners and parents. All protocol approved programs must adhere to the standards established in Administrative Rule 89, Section 501.

The following taken from a statewide list of programs that comply with the Illinois Protocol for Partner Abuse Intervention Programs. These are the providers in Cook County, and the full list is found at https: //www .dhs. state. il. us/page.aspx?item = 33888.

COOK COUNTY

Arlington Heights

• Associates in Human Development 3455 W. Salt Creek Lane, Suite 600 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Contact: David Finn Phone: 847/483-0800 Fax: 847/483-0540

• Counseling Center of Illinois 115 S. Wilke Rd., Ste 203 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Contact: Anna Jankowska Phone: 773/777-6767 Fax: 773/777-7274

• * Salvation Army Family & Community Services 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Ste 200 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Contact: Joel Paez Phone: 847/392-0265 Fax: 847/392-0274 * Language available is Spanish.

Chicago

• * Avance 4765 N. Lincoln Ave., Ste 203 Chicago, IL 60625 Contact: Jorge Argueta Phone: 773/293-1770 Fax: 773/293-3890 * Language available is Spanish. * LGBT and Female groups

• * Center for Advancing Domestic Peace I Centro para Ia Domestica 4521 S. Ashland Chicago, IL 60609 Contact: Mike Feinerman Phone: 312/265-0206 Fax: 312/455-0573 *Language available is Spanish.

• * Center for Advancing Domestic Peace 813 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60612 Contact: Mike Feinerman Phone: 312/265-0206 Fax: 312/455-0573 *Female groups

• * Center for Advancing Domestic Peace 845 West 69th Street Chicago, IL 60621 Contact: Mike Feinerman Phone: 312/265-0206 Fax: 312/455-0573 *Female groups

• * Counseling Center of Illinois 4515 N. Milwaukee Chicago, IL 60630 Contact: Anna Jankowska Phone: 773/777-6767 Fax: 773/777-7274 * Languages available is Polish.

• Deer(Re)habiltation Services 3936 W. Roosevelt, Ste 201 Chicago, IL 60624 Contact: Dr. Dennis Deer Phone: 773/826-0398 Fax: 773/826-2327

• Deer(Re)habiltation Services 1455 S. Michigan, Ste 230 Chicago, IL 60605 Contact: DR. Dennis Deer Phone: 312/912-8578 Fax: 773/826-2327

Ill

• * DUI Alternatives Treatment Center, Inc. 2656 W. Montrose Ave., Ste 103 Chicago, IL 60618 Contact: Judith Hernandez Phone: 773/463-0500 Fax: 773/463-0505 *Language available is Spanish.

• Family Counseling Institute 15525 South Park, Suite #114 South Holland, IL 60473 Contact: JaToya McNutt or T'cia Chatman Phone: 708/225-1237 Fax: 708/225-1338

• * Forward, P.C. 3265 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 Contact: Devora Diaz Phone: 773/862-4675 Fax: 773/862-4685 * Language available in Spanish.

• * Healthcare Alternative Systems 2755 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 Contact: David Schilling ext 258 Phone: 773/252-3100 Fax: 773/252-8945 *Language available is Spanish. * Female groups

• Kirby Rehabilitation 1645 East 53rd Street Chicago, IL 60615 Contact: Lea Kirby Phone: 773/319-9191

• Kirby Rehabilitation 201 East 111 th Street Chicago, IL 60628 Contact: Lea Kirby Phone: 773/319-9191

• * La Familia Unida 3047 W. Cermak Rd., 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60623 Contact: Jose Luis Avila Phone: 773/522-3584 Fax: 773/522-3599 * Language available is Spanish.

• * Pathway to Peace, Inc. 10401 S. Kedzie, Unit 2 Chicago, IL 60655 Contact: Lindoria Storey Phone: 773/298-8825 Fax: 773/298-8836 * Female groups

• * Polish/ American Association 3834 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 Contact: Ewa Susman Phone: 773/282-8206 Fax: 773/282-1324 *Language available is Polish.

• * Polish/ American Family Intervention 6814 W. Archer Ave. Chicago, IL 60638 Contact: Visia Fahrberger Phone: 773/586-9511 Fax: 773/586-9413 *Language available is Polish.

• * Polish/ American Family Services 5146 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60641 Contact: Anna Tym Phone: 773/283-3121 Fax: 773/283-3127 *Language available is Polish.

• Salvation Army Family & Community Services 5045 W. 47th St. Chicago, IL 60638 Contact: Bob Agnoli Phone: 773/735-6773 Fax: 773/735-6713

• * Universal Family Connections, Inc. 1350 W. 103rd St. Chicago, IL 60643 Contact: Audra Rowe Phone: 773/881-1711 Fax: 773/881-3379 *Female groups

Chicago Heights

• Apostle Dirk Carter & Associates, Mental Health Consultants 1400 Chicago Road Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Contact: Karen Prothro Phone: 773/416-9907 Fax: 773/748-8127

• South Suburban Family Shelter Contact: Brianne Hetman Phone: 708/794-2140 Fax: 7008/794-2145

Cicero

• * Pro-Health Advocates 5929 W. Roosevelt Rd. Cicero, IL 60804 Contact: Pete Pfeiffer Phone: 708/652-7190 Fax: 708/652-7191 *Language available is Spanish. * Female groups

Des Plaines

• Salvation Army Family & Community Services 609 West Dempster Des Plaines, IL 60016 Contact: Chuck Sterbis Phone: 847/392-0265 Fax: 847/885-7846

East Hazel Crest

• * South Suburban Family Shelter Contact: Brianne Hetman Phone: 708/794-2140 Fax: 708/794-2145 *Female groups

Evanston

• Jerry Zabin, LLC 2250 Crawford, Ste 12 Evanston, IL 60201 Contact: Jerry Zabin Phone: 847/677-3055 Fax: 847/677-3055

Evergreen Park

• Crisis Center of South Suburbia P.O. Box 39 Tinley Park, IL 60477 Contact: Paul Williams Phone: 708/429-7255 Fax: 708/429-7293

Glencoe

• Family Service of Glencoe 675 Village Ct. Glencoe, IL 60022-1613 Contact: Janet Sorensen Phone: 847/835-5111 Fax: 847/835-9433

Hoffman Estates

• Salvation Army Family & Community Services One Illinois Blvd. Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 Contact: Chuck Sterbis Phone: 847/392-0265 Fax: 84 7/885-7846

Melrose Park

• * Presence Behavioral Health, Inc. 1414 Main St. Melrose Park, IL 60160 Contact: Patricia Camarena Phone: 708/786-8540 Fax: 708/681-3958 *Language available is Spanish. *Female groups

North Riverside

• Deer(re)habilitation Services 7222 W. Cermak Rd, Ste 701A North Riverside, IL 60130 Contact: Dr. Dennis Deer Phone: 708/447-3945 Fax: 708/447-3488

Oak Park

• Sarah's Inn P.O. Box 1159 Oak Park, IL 60304 Contact: Meg Hefty, ext 1026 Phone: 708/386-3305 Fax: 708/445-1546

Palos Hills

• * Counseling Center of Illinois 10661 S. Roberts Rd., Ste 101 Palos Hills, IL 60465 Contact: Anna Jankowska Phone: 773/777-6767 Fax: 773/777-7274 *Language available include Polish & Spanish.

Park Forest

• Apostle Dirk Carter & Associate Mental Health Consultants 211 Sauk Trail Park Forest, IL 60466 Contact: Karen Prothro Phone: 773/416-9907 Fax: 773/748-8127

• Apostle Dirk Carter & Associate Mental health Consultants 400 Lakewood Blvd. Park Forest, IL 60466 Contact: Karen Prothro Phone: 773/416-9907 Fax: 773/748-8127

• South Suburban Family Shelter Contact: Brianne Hetman Phone: 708/794-2140 Fax: 708/794-2145

Park Ridge

• David L. Gates & Associates 1480 Renaissance Dr., Suite 416 Park Ridge, IL 60068 Contact: David Gates Phone: 847/296-8300 Fax: 847/296-8301

Skokie

• * Behavioral Services Center, P.C. 8707 Skokie Blvd, Ste 207 Skokie, IL 60077 Contact: Eugene Isyanov Phone: 847/673-8577 Fax: 847/568-0411 * Languages available include Spanish & Russian. * Female groups

• Center for Contextual Change 9239 Gross Point Skokie, IL 60077 Contact: Tim O'Donohue Phone: 847/676-4447 Fax: 847/676-4450

• Jerry Zabin, LLC Contact: Jerry Zabin Phone: 847/677-3055 Fax: 847/677-3055

Streamwood

• Community Crisis Center Contact: Anna Whitmer Phone: 847/622-8888 Fax: 847/888-9666

Tinley Park

• Crisis Center of South Suburbia P.O. Box 39 Tinley Park, IL 60477 Contact: Paul Williams Phone: 708/429-7255 Fax: 708/429-7293

, Professional Supervising Associates

Pat Andersen. Supervising Coordinator Phone: (847) 825-01\55 Fax: (8,17) 720--L\4) Cell Phone: (1\-17) lJ27-0855

COURT- ORDERED SLJPERVISIOJ\ PROGRAi\1: GLIDELINES FOR PARENTS

The court order is used by the Supervisor as the guiddine and followed with regard 10 date(s). time. length ofvis1tatinn and method or payment. For this reason. we n:quin; a copy of the court unkr which dc;ils with nur appointment and the d<:taib invoh·i1:g \ isitation.

The Supervisor's role is to I~Kilitate the court order and observe the visitation IHllCess while placing emphasis on the child's sakty and striving for a comfortable L'nvironmclll relative to ,·isilation.

The Supervisor:

• Will focus on the children and their interac:tion '' ith both parents \\I thin tilL' perimell:r' of the visitation period

• \\'ill not advocate for either pan.:nt or make recommendation~ regarding the need ror supervised vi,itation

• Is an observer whose job is to facilitate the \.'OUrt order and intervene i I' necessary and is not a .. pol1ceman" or a "bab) sitter"'

• Will intervene if the Supervisor sees that the child is ol1\iously distressed or if any party to the visitation lx·havcs in a potentially dangerous or very inappropriate mann..:r

• Vv'ill 11Lll discuss in any detail the allegations in the: case \\·ith either tl1l' parents or their attomcys

• Will observe behavior and n:pon tn the CLlllrt. the guardian ad litel1\ (l!' atturney for child if they so request

• Will not provide transportation of childn:n to. fmm. n1· during supervised visitation

To the Parents:

I . The schedule of visitation ordered by the court w iII he -;ubject to the availability of the Supervisor. In othn wnrds. the parttcs concerned must be able to work out a S\.'hedulcd arrangcmelll for visits that is satisfactory to everyone.

) You arc asked to be prompt in showing up f(H·thc visit. The supervisor will wait fiJr no mon: than a half hour and ''ill charge the absent party for the entire visit.

\ Be aware that the Supervisor blocks out and lwlds that PL'riud ot'tirnc designated for y\)llr visltati,)n tuthc exclusiOn of an) one else. Re-scheduling is ~~ lab,)r imensive and cumplicated process involving shifting many pl'oplc and time sk>1.S. L\ccssivc rc:qucsts !()r change uf time or d~1y "ill lw

refused by the supervisor and will requir,: a rcdlrL:ctlun and clarillcatiun 'ia court order.

-1 .. ·\ny L:.xclusinns nr limitations involving the visit. pcopk 1ll' places. must be incorporated into the court Llrder. :\either tht• parent nor his or her attorney m<~y dictate terms of visitation to the SuperYisor.

The secret of' getting along with children is to gi \'C tilL: Ill res pee I, tO treat lhL'll1 as j f they • re human beings. not small adults, but human

beings. --Ric Johnson

(To the Parents, continued)

5. Don't ask the Supervisor to change or depart from the cundition~ for visitation as specilicd in the court ord~·r.

6. If a change is absolutely necessary. once visiwtiun IS

underway, it must be ordered by the court or may be negot iatcd through the attorneys ILl the agreement of the parties including the availability of the Supervisor before any difli:rent actmn will bl' taken.

7. Dun 't discuss your case or your problems with the court or the Ia w::.us when the child is present.

:-;. Don't talk about the other parent using negative tell or comments in the presence of the child, even if you arc kidding.

9. Inform other family members who come in contact with the child that they should not usc negative terms 0r comments about the other pan~nt in the child's presence.

I 0. Do not usc nJ!gar. proflmc or abusive language in the child's presence.

I J. If you have problems with any aspect of your case, including the quality ofthe supervision, discuss them with your

lawyer or the Guardian ad litem, not the Supervisor.

12. 1 r the Supervisor docs or says something yuu find objectionable, do not discuss this in fhmt of the child; wait until the 'isitation bas ended.

1.·1. The parent or person transporting the child m a car is responsible for providing for the protection of the child by properly securing him or her in a child restraint system. This m~:ans infant scats. car seats for "'under f(lurs". booster scats for kids under eight, and scat belts for older children. Children are to rid~: in the rear scat of the car.

1-L If the child becomes noticeably distressed or makes a rea~unabte request that the visit be stopped, the Supervisor will decide whether the vis1t should be terminated.

15. Should problems arise - that is, the parent gets upset, the child gets sick -- if circumstances conspire to disturb excessively the pleasant, smooth progress of the visitation. the Supervisor is entitled to end it.

Children need models more than they need critics. --Josq1h J ouhert, I g42

To the Non-custodial Parent:

I. You may bnng a gin f(lr your child to regL!lar l'isits, ~md i1

few gifis for holidays and birthdays. l.imit gifts to tho-;c that arc portable. Don't overwhelm yuur child vvith presents.

2. Be prepared to keep your gifts for your child Without comment if requested to do so. It is not unusual for gilh to disappear or be thrown away after they arc brought home.

3. Please provide 7 days written notice if you will he unable to attend vour scheduled visitation. Visits cancelled without nuticc or. clear statement of cause will be charged to the canceling party for the full scheduled time.

4. Visits terminated early will be charged as a complete visit.

5. Don't force the child to sit on your lap or hug ynu or k1s~ you. Take it ca~y. You'll do better if you let the child initiate expressions of ancction.

6. Do not interrogate the child during visitation about matters that appear to be difficult or uncomfortable for the child to discuss. What the other parent says or docs is not relative to your visit.

7. When it is in your comrol, we expect that no on.: \\ill consume alcohol while the child is present.

8. If discipline is necessary during visitation it m11st be non-phy·sical and appropriate to the problem, such ~h a "timeout" or privilege loss. Do not yell or make threatening gestures.

9. The \'ISillllg parent is responsible for payment or the Supervisor's admission, parking and netivity lees \\ lwn applicable. The Supervisor will pay for his her food.

I 0. The Supervisor must be within sight or o;ound of you and your child at all times. Please cooperate by making such obscrvat.ion possible. Difficulty in this area rnay make termination ofthe visit necessary.

II. Photographs. digital pictures and video must he cleared through the supervisor before being taken. They will hL~

allowed unless deemed by the supervisor to be inappropriate or refused by the court.

Questions and Answers For Parents:

0. I lo\\ ltmg will ;,upciYiscd visitati1111 continue·1

,\. Lntil the court ,1rders unsupen iscd 1 isitatiun.

Q. Is it up to the Supcrvi~or to recommend lllhllj)lTviscd nsitation'.1

.:... . l\i 0.

(l Can the ,·hild be intmduccd to the SuperYisor before· the \l~it':'

.\.. \\:,. The Supcn 1~or will ~.:ur1tact tile custudial parent to arrange a pr,·-vJsitatJon meeting immc·diatcly pnm to the firs\ 1 !Sit. if requested.

Q. \Villi have In sl.'c thl.' other parent'' •\. Nn. We prekr to transfer the child from one parent to the <llhcr ;md choose: to limit conlilct.

0 Can the CLhlndral parL'fl\ remain nearby during the visit'! A \:o. This h;is rH.'HT JHm·ed to be n,~cess;u-:,· ;md IS a great strain on e\I.T\one.

<). If visitation l<tke;, place at an amuseml.'nt or 11ater park. will the Supervisor go on all the rides') A. J\o. Unless such acti1 ity is excluded by wurt order. WI.' rcqt1irc that the parent and child be 1 isiblc to the supcn i~or during the ride and return to the Super1isor upon its completion.

{) . .-\re other rdat1ve~ and fi-icmb of' the 1·isiting parent allml'l.'d tn b~· pre: sent during till· 'isil'' A. \'es. unless spee!l]cally excluded by cuurt urcll.'r. But be rc-;tsonablc. The child ~huuldn't l1a1 e to cope with a whole hunch or tntal strangers or l'\tcndcd l~tmtly.

(). Will 1 isitatinn begin as soun a., the court orders an: entered·) .-\. Not neces~anly. Therl.' 111ay be a hrid delay 111 locating a Supc1·1·isur 1vhose sdtcdulc meets ynur time :lllotmcnt.

(.). \\.'ill I lose m~ 1 isiting rights if' I'm '' few minutes late bringing the child hack'' :\. Probably not. Ucc<tSionally delays o~·cm but we do makl.' ever~ c!lurt to rl.'turn the ..:hild un time.

The tntll'l.' people ha1c studied difkrcnt ml.'thnds nr bringing up childn:n. the mon.: tltl.'y hall.' come ILl the cut1clusion that 11 h:rt guod mothers and fi1thers in~tinctivcly r::,'l like doing t(lr their babies is the best atkr all.

-- Fknjamin Spnck

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Fcl' Schedule

.-\11 cn~ts will he rakulated to include •·portal to portal" (travel) timt' in addition to the vi-.itation pcrio<l. There is a threr (j) hour minimum.

Payment uf the Supel'l IS<ll. doc'S not establish a cnntral'lual n~latiunship ;md is to be i(Jlltlw,·d as dtrccted by court order and our guidelines. We do nut maintain an I.'Inploye~~ employn relationship 11 ith any part)

l\Ionda~·- until ~:OOpm Friday ................... SJO.OO per hour

Friday after 4:00pm. Saturday and Sunday .................................. S35.00 pt'r hour

MaJor Holidays ............................................ S-HI.OO per hour (including Chri~tmas Eve .. \Jew )'(·ar·~ hL'. i\lothcr's Day and Father\; Day) (effective 2013)

"portal to portal'' ml.'ans t'rnrn the SupcrYJsur's ot'licc <lr rc:sJdl.'nce through the 1 i:-.itation <!ltd return.

F.aeh time a SuperVIsor kavc:-. the child and n.:turns to rctric\e the child it will be construed as a new 1isit rcq11iring the three hour minimum.

lfactunl v1sitution time is k~s til<lllthe three hom minimum. the ditlncnee will be appllcd to the tran'i timl.'.

Full payment is to be made at tht• beginning of each visit. That Yi~it and tl.nthL·r 1 i~ils will nnt take plnce until such [XI~'mcnt has been made.

Court appcaranel.'s I\ ill be made at the rcqul.'-;t of the Judge. the GAL child\ rep, or by subp(lclla. Such appe<Jrance' 11 ill be charged the weekday rate of S30 per huur 11·ith a twu lwur minimum to he paid by the suhp<1Cila :-.ourcc. unle~,; uther11 ic-c dirct.:!L'ci.

Written rl.'ports \\'ill be providc·d 1f rL·qucsted b; thL· .ludgL'. the Ci!\L .. child's rep, ur by agrecmc·nt of thl.' parties and will be l.'hargcd at th:: weekday rail.' ul' S3tl pl.'r hour \\'ith a \1\<1 hour minimum to be paid by the initiating party.

Failure to provide reasonable notice of nmrcllation "ill result in billing for the full scheduled timl.'. Visits terminated l.'arly will he charged as a ~o:omplcte 'isit.

J·'isits ctmcelled H•itlwut adequate 110/ice or reason, j{lilure to appear for a l'isit or prm•ide the drildfor a l'isit will require fit// payment by tire paso11 cancelling on short notice .fin· insufficient cau.w• or .failure to appem;

(To the .Yon-custodial Parent, continued!

12. \lcdication may not be administered witlwut \\ rittcn C\lnsent of custodia I parent.

I J. Diap..:r ..:hanging \viii he ob~ervcd \Vith minor assi':>Wnc:e c >flered if necessary.

1 't In public pla~.·es. young children will be accompanied by

the SupcrvisPr into the restroom appropriate to the Supervisor.

l 5. In public places. older children capable of managing their uw11 111.\::ds will he escorted to the r..:stroom appropriate for the child and \\ill be monitored at the door.

l (L At the end of the visit you arc requested to make your "g(hld-bycs'' positive. reasonably· brief and non-dramatic in nature Do not make future promises but rathc:r concentrate on ho\\ pkas~l!lt tin;; \'J~Jt was and leave in a timclv fashion. Tramition time is confusing and difficult for th<e chilcl.

I 7. The non-custodial pan.:nt or anyon<e else transporting the child :md supenisor during the visitation is required to have in their possession a valid Driver's License and a current proof of Insurance: document.

l X. The non-custodial parc:nt is expected to provide any and all paraphernalia rc:quired I(Jr the usc of the child during the visit ( JC . car seat. bllOSt<er scat. food. stroller, et a!.) and should not cxp<.:ct the custodial parent to provide such.

l 1nfortunatcly. punishment teaches a child that those \vho

h~m .. · power can fnrcc others to Jo their \viii. And when the ~.~hild is old enough and able, he (or she) will try to usc ;;uch Coree himself - for instance. punishing parents by :1Ct111g in ways most distressing to them.

--Bruno Bct.tclheim

To the Custodial Parent:

'{uu arc ~xpcctcd w··cncourage'' and prepare the child for hi-; ur her participatiOn in the visitation with the noncustodial Jl:li'c'Jlt. Ani ticial statements of endearment arc not ex pee.: ted but, clearly."! have no dwicc" or ''because the Judg.; makes rnc" is not acceptance.

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Contact with children should be at once tentative and rc:ceptivc. Their references arc so different. and their responses so magnified, that tn treat them as adults is manil'cstly crud

"l Nc:ithcr the· custodial parent (nor any n:prcsc:ntative) may

allcmi. follow or observe ~1 supc1Tiscd visitation - one supervisor is cnough 1

3. Neither the custodial P'trcnt nor the custodial pan:nt \ allorney is to attempt to dictate terms or limitations to the visitation not outlined in the cnurt order. The Supervisor will bt' rcc:eptivc. hmvevcr. to constructive feedback that will help the child.

4. If the cbild is taking lllL'diL:ation. a written consent must be provided to th<.: Supervisur along with the medication.

5. The custodial parent is required to pro\'i.dc the: Supervi~11r with hisrhcr lwmt: addrc~s and telephone numbc1. Thi> information will be confidential and is for the enJcrgc:n<.:y usc of the Supcn·1sor.

6. Do not "int<.:rrugate" the child atte1· he or sh~' returns t!·om a visit. No nwttcr how subtle these questions scCin to be. the child knows what's happening and the process is confusing, frustrating and intimidating.

7. The Supen isor will answer general questions rdat<ed tn visitation but not with regard to dcwils or activities of tile visit unless there is a special m:c:d to know.

X. In the event 111' <Ill emergency ur illness. plea~,; provide: rc:asonabk notice: of twenty-filur or more hours fur cancellation of a visit. Visits cancelled without notice or clear statement of ClliSl' will be: billed as a complet<.: visit and reported to the court or the guarclwn ad litem, or the child's n:p. Chronic cancellations will require remedy lJJ' corrective action by the court,

SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAI~E EXCI-IANGE

Supervised Visitation

Apna Ghar's Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center is funded by the Chicago Department of Family and

Support Services. The need for supervised visitation is determined by the courts. Apna Ghar is a fair third party between

both parents and their children. As such we mediate between the parents regarding visitation matters and maintain the

safety and confidentiality of all involved.

During supervised visitation, the visiting parent and his/her child(ren) relax, play together, and strengthen family bonds.

It is an opportunity for a relationship to form and develop in a safe, comfortable, non-threatening and conflict-free

environment.

Safe Exchange

Apna Ghar provides a safe alternative location for parents to pick up and drop off their children when the courts perceive

that a parent can have unsupervised visits. This is generally a better option than public places such as parking lots,

shopping centers or police stations. We take the safety of all parties into consideration by providing separate waiting

rooms, staggered arrival and departure times, as well as friendly staff members available to walk parties to their car

upon request.

To access these services, at least one parent must have a Chicago address. To contact a visitation and safe exchange

facilitator, call 773-883-4663.

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