We Are Here For Your Children.

Children need their relationship with both parents. There is a bonding that cannot be replaced by another family member or step-parent. In the area of custody or visitation, do not bargain with your spouse on any basis other than what will give your children the most stability and the best contact with parents. Studies show that harm to children is more closely related to conflict after the divorce or separation. Everyone has conflict before and during the divorce, but if you want to help your children, get finished with the conflict and resolve it, as quickly as possible. The worst thing for a child of divorce or separation is feeling responsible for the break up and/or feeling that loving one parent is a betrayal to the other. These feelings can cause serious stress and insecurity to the child. To protect your children from this unbearable pain, do not say anything bad about the other parent, and encourage the positive parenting time that takes place between the parent and the child. Let your child know that you are happy when they have a good, loving time with the other parent. Most importantly, ALWAYS remind the child that it is not his/her fault that his/her parents are not together. Printed from: “Practical Divorce Solutions” by Ed Sherman. Nolo Press Occidental, Positive Connections Parenting Time Center

Getting Started

The parent handbook is a list of AVEC policies and procedures. Each party is required to enter into a contract for services agreeing to abide by the policies and procedures. The staff of AVEC reserves the right to suspend or amend these policies or procedures at any time as may be warranted in individual exceptional circumstances. AVEC reserves the right to cancel or discontinue services for a violation of these policies.

Intake Process

Each party must individually complete an intake interview “face-to-face” with staff. Children are encouraged to participate to get acquainted with the facility. Effective January 1st of 2007, intakes are valued at $35.00. All information gathered at the intake interview is strictly confidential.

Preparing Your Child for Exchanges/Visitation

It is important to talk to your child prior to his/her first visit, explaining whom he/she is going to see. Allow the child to express any concerns and to ask questions. This is especially important if the child has not seen the other parent for a long time. If you are unsure how to answer a particular question, staff may be able to help. Also, if the child has a special blanket or toy, feel free to bring it along. If your child is in diapers or uses a bottle, please send these items in a diaper bag. Understand that the child may be nervous and needs your stability and encouragement.

Confidentiality Agreement

Each party must respect the privacy of others and is required to sign a CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. All files at AVEC are confidential and will not be shared with anyone at any time unless subpoenaed by the courts. Parents can also sign a release form if they wish to do so. AVEC does not document excuses given for canceled exchanges or visitations. The only exception is if the child is sick. That information will be relayed to the other parent.

Facilitators Role

Facilitators are present to provide a safe, neutral environment for supervised visitations and exchanges. It is the responsibility of the parent to present the child to the facilitator for passage to the other parent. Under no circumstances will the facilitator take the child by force. All facilitators include AVEC staff, interns, and trained volunteers. Staff and volunteers will NOT provide child care nor participate in the visitation. Responsibility for the care of the children and their belongings remains with the parents. Parents are responsible for their children, their children’s behavior, and for picking up toys, games, etc. at the conclusion of their visitation or exchange. Volunteers and staff are to be respected. Their privacy is to be respected and intrusive questions (such as where they are from and where they live) are unacceptable. Children cannot cancel or deny visitation. Adults make those decisions at AVEC. The documentation will reflect that a parent or staff has canceled the visitation. Each parent is responsible to bring hats and mittens for their child (ren).

Mandated Reporting

Following Arkansas State Law, AVEC will report known and suspected child abuse and neglect cases. Suspected incidences of child abuse or neglect are reported to the appropriate Child Protection or Law Enforcement agency. If there is a threat of physical harm made by one parent against the other parent, AVEC staff reserves the right to notify the other parent and proper law enforcement authorities.

Documentation

Any behavior that violates a policy of AVEC will be documented. This documentation is solely for the use of AVEC. Any court/attorney wishing to have access to such documentation will need to subpoena the file. If copies are requested single copies are valued at $1.00 per page and full file copies are valued at $30.00 — which must be paid in full before the file is copied. Each party may have access to his / her own records. Request for copies may take 3-4 business days after the appropriate fee has been paid. One progress letter will be provided free of charge prior to the case going to court for a review or final determination, if it is requested at least 5 business days prior to the court date. If less than 5 days notice is given the charge will be $75. If on-going reporting is requested the follow rates apply: 5 days notice $40, less than 5 days $75. If AVEC staff is required to testify at a court hearing the party making the request will be required to pay $25 per hour for each hour that the staff person is spent on the case, this includes drive time and file preparation.

Parent Behavior

AVEC requires persons utilizing the Center to demonstrate respect for all children, staff, volunteers, parents, other individuals, property, etc. Parents shall abide by the following rules while on AVEC property: 1) Parties will refrain from negative comments about the other party to volunteers/staff and/ or in the presence of children. EXAMPLE: “This is all my ex’s fault that I have to use this program.” 2) Children will not be used to gather information about the other party. EXAMPLE: “Where does daddy live?” EXAMPLE: “Why didn’t your mom bring you to the event last week?” 3) Parties will refrain from discussing financial issues with the children. EXAMPLE: “I cannot buy you this new toy because your dad hasn’t paid child support this month.” 4) Behaviors such as the following will not be tolerated: a) whispering or talking softly to the child(ren) during visitations. b) at no time shall the parent be alone with children out of sight of the volunteers/staff. Parties will refrain from having inappropriate conversations with other parties present for activity. Inappropriate may include: legal action or getting back at the other party. Any indication of such behaviors will be met with a signal to stop the behavior. Staff has the discretion to determine when to give the signal for behavior to cease. Such behaviors will be documented.

Parent Alienation

Parent Alienation is defined as “the creation of a singular relationship between a child and one parent, to the exclusion of the other parent.” A fully alienated child is a child who does not wish to have any contact whatsoever with one parent and who expresses only negative feelings for that parent and only positive feelings for the other parent. This child has lost the range of feelings for both parents that is normal for a child. The parent who acts to create such a singular relationship between the child and himself is the “alienating parent.” The parent who is excluded from the singular relationship is the “target parent.” Signs of Alienation: 1. In Parents: a. Supporting the child’s refusal to visit the other parent without reason. b. Allowing children to choose whether or not to visit a parent. Even though the court has not empowered the parent or children to make that choice. c. Refusing the other parent access to medical and school records or schedules of extracurricular activities. d. Blaming an ex-spouse for not having enough money, changes in lifestyle, or other problems in the children’s presence. e. Refusing to acknowledge that the child has personal property and denying the child control over taking personal possessions to the other parent’s home, or bringing items back home from the other parent. f. Rigid enforcement of the visitation schedule for no good reason other than getting back at the ex-spouse. g. Setting up tempting “events” that interfere with visitation scocial events (examples: birthday parties, sporting events, sleepovers etc.) h. Giving the children the impression that having a good time on a visit will hurt the parent. i. Reducing the visitation time for no reason. 2. In Children a. A relentless hatred for the targeted parent. b. Refusing to visit or spend any time with the targeted parent. c. Reasons for not wanting to have a relationship with the targeted parent based only on what the alienating parent tells the child. d. Hatred extending to the targeted parent’s extended family without any guilt or remorse. Possible signs of parental alienation will be documented, and if determined significant by the Director, reported to the proper authorities.

Alcohol and Illegal Substances

Alcohol and drugs will not be tolerated at AVEC. Individuals who arrive to pick up children and show symptoms of alcohol or illegal substances (for example: smell, impaired mobility, blood shot eyes, abusive language) will not be permitted to pick up the children. If this is the custodial parent, their Emergency Contacts will be notified and asked to pick up the children. Law Enforcement will be contacted if either party refuses to cooperate with AVEC. If facilitators suspect child neglect resulting from use of alcohol or illegal substances, the parties dropping off the children will be reported to Law Enforcement. Parties who arrive with symptoms of alcohol/drug use AND have a stipulation in a court order against alcohol/drug use will be reported to the other parent. Individuals with alcohol/drug suspicion will not be permitted to have the visitation. They will be detained until the custodial parent has been informed and left the premises. The Director will have the discretion to suspend services for anyone who violates this policy.

Weapons

Weapons of any kind will not be tolerated at AVEC. If a weapon is suspected at anytime, AVEC has the authority to call Law Enforcement. If there is a risk of a weapon with a parent, AVEC has the right to call Law Enforcement to be present for a search at the beginning of a visit or exchange.

Security

Law Enforcement will be contacted immediately if staff or facilitators are threatened or become concerned about the physical safety of anyone, including the children.

Court Orders

AVEC does not require a court order, but does request a copy if one is in place. AVEC does not have the authority to enforce court orders. AVEC will follow the order to the best of our ability. When scheduling activity, staff will keep the times as close to the order as possible and within the times that the program is open. If a parent wants something specific, we suggest that these requests are written in the court order.

Exchange/Visitation Schedules

Schedules are created each month according to the parent’s court order. If a court order is not in place there will be a set schedule based on parent and staff availability. To schedule a “last-minute” supervised visitation there may need to be a minimum of a 5 day notice. To schedule an exchange there may need to be at least three days notice unless it fits in with already existing exchanges of other parents. AVEC has the right to deny visitation even with proper notice for the reason of lack of staffing.

No-Show Policy

Parents that no-show three times throughout the use of the program are subject to immediate suspension from AVEC.

Cancellation Policy

AVEC reserves the right to suspend activity due to excessive canceling by one/both parties. Excessive canceling is defined as 40% of scheduled activity over 2 consecutive months. Parties can be reinstated by following through with the reinstatement policy. AVEC requests 48 hours notice of all cancellations. If the visit is canceled within 24 hours of scheduled visit., the party canceling the visit will be responsible for paying for 1 hour of the hourly fee. The party canceling the visit is responsible for cancellation fee. No Shows: Full payment for the scheduled visit no shows visit. The party not attending the visit will be responsible for the fee.

Fee for services

The standard fees for services are based on a sliding fee scale. Each party must sign the CONTRACT FOR SERVICE. If for any reason either party does not pay for services, the director has the right to suspend services until payment is received. Visitation fees are required prior to the beginning of each visit. Visitation fees will be assessed upon entering the program based on paying parents ability to pay. AVEC will need a copy of the court order if it states which parent is responsible for payment and or if it states the amount to be paid.

Weather Cancellations

If there is a cancellation due to weather, Agency policy states that if Rogers Public Schools are closed or closes early, AVEC will not offer visitations that day. On the weekends the AVEC director will make the determination, and a message will be available on the agency voice mail. If you are unsure if AVEC has closed, call the AVEC office.

Pick up/Drop off Times

Upon their arrival at AVEC the non-custodial parent will arrive first, entering at though their designated door and be escorted to where the exchange or visitation will occur. The custodial party will arrive ten minutes later and arrive at another designated door. The first party (after the exchange/visitation occurred) will leave ten minutes later. This process is to ensure there will be no contact between the two parties so that children will not be subjected to unsafe or uncomfortable situations. Punctuality is imperative at AVEC to keep the schedule with all clients. When a party develops a pattern of late arrivals, a late fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for each late arrival. Party will be documented every time he/she is late. AVEC defines a pattern as being late a minimum of five times over a two month period (subject to vary per volume of exchanges per month.) Also, if the party who is to pick up the child for exchanges is 20 minutes late, the party who brought the child will leave again with the child regardless if he or she is the custodial or non-custodial parent.

Emergency Contacts

Both parties are requested to provide emergency contacts or authorized designees on their intake form. All parties whom the custodial and non-custodial parents expect may sometimes pick up or drop off the children at AVEC need to be listed on this form. This is to ensure that child(ren) are released only to authorized individuals. AVEC must be notified ahead of time when one of these parties will be picking up or dropping off the child(ren). Staff will ask for ID’s of the parties with whom they are not familiar. When a designee arrives to pick up or drop off the children, volunteers will check the records for authorized designees before releasing the children.All policies and procedures of AVEC will be followed by designees. It will be the responsibility of each party to explain the policies, procedures, and protocol to their designee. The party will be accountable for the behaviors and actions of the designee.

Note Exchanges

Only written messages pertinent to the children’s IMMEDIATE well-being will be permitted to be exchanged during an exchange or visitation. Theses notes must be shown to the facilitators and NOT passed through the children. If these notes are written in an accusing style, they will not be forwarded. They will instead be confiscated. Bags will be subject to search. If a party sends a note in the bags and it is discovered, the AVEC policy violation will be documented. AVEC definition of “immediate well-being” includes activities that the child may be involved in while on visitation. It may also include medicinal information. *** Inventory notes WILL NOT be passed on because we cannot be involved in enforcing that items are/are not returned.

Car Seats

Car seats will not be exchanged between parties. Parties must have the appropriate car seat before an exchange will occur. AVEC has the right to check a car seat if there is a suspicion that an appropriate seat is not being used. Staff will follow the State law as it relates to car seat safety. For a copy of the State care seat law, please request it from a staff member.

Center Liability

AVEC will not be responsible for the loss of property, injury, or abduction of the children by the non-custodial party, or person acting on their behalf.

Reinstatement

If a party wishes to resume services with AVEC after having been terminated or suspended, AVEC will set the requirements for reinstatement depending upon the reason for termination.

Grievance Procedure

Clients of AVEC shall take all complaints to the Director. If the Director cannot resolve the complaint, the client shall submit a written complaint to the Arkansas Visitation and Exchange Center, Inc. Board of Directors.

Locations

Supervised Visits will take place in one of AVEC’s visitation rooms or as stated in a signed court order. The Executive Director must give prior approval before a court order is entered requesting off site supervised visitation.
Any attempt to leave the approved area with the child(ren) will be considered a violation of our Policy and Law Enforcement will be contacted. A facilitator will be present during the entire visit.

Electronics

For the protection of the children, video cameras, cameras, and tape recorders will not be allowed during visitations unless the director pre-authorizes them for special occasions and only for a limited activity during the visitation.

Visitors

AVEC is a service offered primarily to primary caregivers for the sake of the children unless otherwise ordered by the court. Visitors (step-parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc.) are not included in visitations unless the director has pre-authorized them and they are listed in the current court order. Authorized visitors will not be announced to the custodial parent due to confidentiality.

Other items

Crying by the visiting parent is not tolerated during any time of the visit. Studies have shown that this can be detrimental to the overall well being of the child. If a parent cannot keep from crying, the visit will be suspended until he/she can refrain from crying.

Cell phones will not be allowed at AVEC during supervised visits.

Gifts, videos, snacks/meals, and toys must be pre-authorized by the director prior to the visit. Parents cannot assume that gifts will be permitted for special occasions. All gifts given to the child must be unwrapped and will leave with the child.

Bathroom

Parents are not allowed in the bathroom unattended with their child during supervised visits. Children will be escorted to and from the bathrooms by the parent and staff. Staff will assist children in the bathroom if sexual abuse allegations exist.

Tobacco products are not allowed in AVEC building or on the grounds. Parents cannot leave a visit to smoke.

Money cannot be given to children during supervised visits at AVEC.

AVEC policies may change at any time, please consult with an AVEC staff person or the director for the most up-to-date information concerning center policies.

Transitional Supervised Visitation Program

The policies remain the same for this service. Staff will “check in” on families throughout their scheduled time. Documentation will be kept on each scheduled activity. Visitations will remain at AVEC.