COURT SERVICES:

Supervised Access and Exchange Program

Description of Services
This program provides for supervised visitation and exchanges of children between custodial and non-custodial parents(or care givers) in a safe, neutral and child focused environment. Supervised access may be ordered by family court judges in child custody determinations when the non-custodial parent has a history of violence, child abuse, substance abuse, threat of child abduction or mental instability. Supervised access is also suitable when there has been a lengthy separation between the non-custodial parent and child. Supervised Access Programs, which exist in many other cities in Ontario and elsewhere, provide a neutral go between and increased safety for both children and parents during access visits and exchanges.

Objectives

• To provide a safe, neutral and child -focused setting for visits between a child and non-custodial parent or other family members.
• To ensure the safety of all participants.
• To provide trained staff who are sensitive to the needs of the child.
• To provide the court and/or lawyers with factual observation reports about the participants’ use of the service.

Supervised Visits
Supervised visits provide parents and/or other relatives with a safe, neutral and child focused location for visits with their children. Supervised visits give both the custodial and non-custodial parents the security of knowing that the visit is being supervised by professionally trained staff at all times.

• Non-custodial parents are required to arrive at the site 20 minutes prior to the scheduled visit time.
• Custodial parents are required to arrive at the exact time of the scheduled visit and return at the exact time of the end of the visit.
• Non-custodial parents are required to leave 20 minutes after the end of the visit.
• Staff are present in the visiting rooms to monitor the visit at all times and to ensure the safety of the child. Notes are taken based on factual observations.

Supervised Exchanges
When separated families have a neutral place to exchange the children for visits it makes access easier to arrange and increases safety for all concerned. The drop off and pick up of the child(ren) is supervised by staff or volunteers and staggered so that the custodial and non-custodial parents do not meet at the site.

Who Can Use The Service?
Any caregiver/parent can elect to use the Program through professional or self-referral.

How Are Referrals Made?

• Through a court order.
• Through community agencies.
• Through the lawyers of the parents or other parties involved.
• Through the Children’s Lawyer.
• Voluntary referrals may be appropriate with the consent of both parties (some restrictions may apply).

**NOTE: It is the responsibility of BOTH the Custodial and Non-custodial parents to contact the Co-ordinator to set up an initial appointment

Fees for Service:       $24.00 per visit or exchange. Subsidy may be available upon request.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION:

WHILE THE SITE MAY BE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS AND LONG WEEKENDS, EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE VISITS/EXCHANGES PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAYS AND LONG WEEKENDS.

We reserve the right to cancel or refuse services to any person at anytime.

For further information please call:

807-473-1350 Voice
Messages are reviewed daily and will be returned within 48 hours whenever possible

807- 345-0444 Fax

This Program is Funded By:

The Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario

Monetary donations are welcome and charitable receipts are available upon request.

Registered Charity 0671776-11