Supervised Access Program – Visit and Exchange Services
Who Can Use This Service?
Parents and/or caregivers who wish to use these services are asked to make initial contact with our Supervised Access Program Coordinator. Many families are court-ordered to use these services however self-referrals are required in order to begin the intake process. Referrals are only accepted when both parties (custodial and non-custodial) consent to these services. Lawyers for the parties and/or the Office of the Children's Lawyer may also make a request for service.
What Is Offered?
When parents separate, visits or exchanges of the children may be difficult. Problems sometimes arise between parents or other family members at the time children are exchanged. At other times, there may be concerns about the access visits themselves. The Supervised Access Program offers families a way to cope with some of these problems.
When parents or family members are unable to communicate, unable to come in contact with one another, they may be in need of these services for the following reasons:
- Difficulty and/or conflict resulting from a separation or divorce
- Reunion of a parent and child after a lengthy separation
- Concerns about flight risk or abduction
- Inconsistency in the access visit schedule
- Alleged spousal assault and/or an ongoing threat of assault
- Allegations or fear of child abuse/neglect
- Concerns or history of parental drug/alcohol abuse or mental health issues
- Concerns regarding parenting ability
The Supervised Access Program will NOT enforce court orders although it will help to facilitate the conditions of court orders with respect to the access of children
How Will This Service Help?
Supervised Access Visits
Supervised access visits provide an opportunity for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children by ensuring that the parents’ arrival and departure times are staggered so they will not come into contact with each other. The Supervised Access Program:
- Will provide a safe, neutral, child-focused setting where fully supervised visits can take place
- Will provide the support of trained staff who:
- are sensitive to the needs of children
- will ensure that children are safe and comfortable
- will encourage positive parent/child interactions
- will intervene if there are any safety concerns
- provide parents with information about other community services that may be helpful
- Will provide parents, courts or lawyers with factual observations about the family’s use of these services, only if requested and with the parties’ consent
Supervised Access Exchanges
Supervised access exchanges provide a non-confrontational transfer of children between parents for a visit or outing for a specified amount of time. The Supervised Access Program will provide a secure location for children to be “picked up” and “dropped off.” Exchanges may take place over a few hours, a weekend or longer.
Additional Services
The Supervised Access Program’s trained staff will also:
- Communicate between the involved parties about the visit as long as the topics discussed are child focused. They can update the other parent on such things as recent health concerns, special events, homework etc.
- Exchange any necessary items between the involved parties that the children will need for their time away from the custodial parent such as medication, comfort toys, clothes etc.
How Can You Find Out More Or Access This Service?
All referrals for the Supervised Access Program are processed through the Coordinator. Parents and caregivers may access services by contacting the Children's Centre Thunder Bay and asking to speak directly to the Coordinator who will set up an Intake appointment with each party individually.
For more information about the Supervised Access Program offered, please contact us at 807-343-5000 and ask to speak to our Supervised Access Program Coordinator OR you may contact the program directly at: 807- 343- 5031.
There is a small fee for this service, however there is subsidy available and no one will ever be turned away because of inability to pay; this is assessed on an individual basis during the intake process.
