Child-Parent Coalition Guidelines

Guidelines developed by the Child-Parent Coalition regarding:

Monitored Exchanges, Supervised Parenting/Visitation, & Therapeutic Parenting.

I. PROPOSED REASONS FOR SUPERVISED VISITATION/PARENT TIME:

While specific programs have some differences, Supervised Visitation/Parenting Time is
basically when a neutral third party is present, monitoring things, while an adult relative (usually
parent or grandparent) has parenting time with a child.

Safety of the child is primary. It is child-centered supervision.

1. The adult relative/guardian has assaulted a child, and there is any concern that it could
happen again.

2. The adult has been convicted of a personal crime against any child, or domestic violence,
and has not completed treatment or fulfilled the court sentence.

3. One parent/guardian brings evidence that the other adult may hurt the child or not be
able to keep him/her safe.

4. There is evidence that the adult is doing things of questionable character and is, or was,
encouraging a child to keep secrets.

5. There is such a high level of anger or other negative emotion that the parents/adults
cannot seem to cooperate well enough to help a child have positive visits and build a relationship
with the visiting parent/relative.

6. The adult relative has a mental illness such as Bipolar Disorder, a form of Schizophrenia,
Delusional Disorder, Dementia, etc., which has resulted in decompensation such that he/she has
placed self, or others in his/her care, in danger. Supervised Parenting, in some cases, may need
to occur until the child is old and responsible enough to care for him/herself.

7. There is a history or recent threats that the adult will kidnap the child and hide him/her,
or take him/her out of state.

8. The adult relative has acted inappropriately toward a child and that child might have fear
or unresolved emotions about being around the adult.

9. Lengthy separation of child and the adult relative, or no previous relationship existed.

10. The court is unsure about the facts in the case and wants to err on the side of protecting
the child during the investigation phase or waiting for a report from the CLR or Special
Advocate.

11. The Non Residential Parent's (or other visiting adult) place of residence is questionable:
       a. Not safe for a child
       b. Does not exist
       c. Has not been seen

12. Drugs and/or alcohol are a current issue for the adult.

13. The emotional interactions between parents/guardians are of such a high level that they
can not cooperate and it places the child in the "field of fire", caught in the middle. This may
show up as asking the child to keep secrets.

Comments: It is good to specifically tell parents to smile, agree, and let the child have a good
time with the other adult (residential or non-residential parent or adults involved in the Parenting
Time).

Basically, a good question to be answered when considering unsupervised visitation; "Tell me
why it's good, and/or not good, for the child."

Sometimes a child can grow and mature so that he/she can deal with some questionable aspects
of a parent's behavior. Each case would need to be individually assessed.

II. HOW LONG SHOULD IT BE IN PLACE?

Safety of the child is primary. It is child-centered supervision.

Basically, a good question to be answered when considering unsupervised visitation; "Tell me
why it's good, and/or not good, for the child."

1. Supervised or Therapeutic Parenting Time should be permanently in place in only a few
rare cases.

2. Until everyone agrees there is no longer any reason for it.

3. Until an evaluation by 2 professionals deem the past reasons for Supervised Parenting
Time no longer valid.

4. When families are still in Supervised Parenting Time or Therapeutic Parenting after a
year, a mandatory yearly review by more than one professional and representatives of each
parent needs to be strongly considered (possibly mandated).

5. A Parenting Plan needs to be followed - unless there are potentially harmful extenuating
circumstances.

Sometimes a child can grow and mature so that he/she can deal with some questionable
aspects of a parent's behavior. Each case would need to be individually assessed.

III. WHEN SHOULD THE VISITATION LEVEL OR SCHEDULE BE
ADJUSTED?

The best interest of the child must always take precedence over issues that may be
between parents.

1. When evaluation by professionals and legal representatives of each child agree.

2. If powers of a Special Master are granted to one of the people planning the visitation,
then visitation should be adjusted about one month after it appears appropriate (to make sure
things have time to settle down and it is gradual and not a shock to the child).

3. Generally, there should be a Progressive Assumption that Therapeutic or Supervised
Visitation/Parenting Time will be monitored and evaluated so there is a step-wise progression to
least restrictive/monitored visitation possible.

4. Sometimes a good indicator is when visits have happened for an extended time and a
child asks for unsupervised visits.

5. Formal evaluations and/or court ordered evaluations are completed and recommend
Unsupervised Parenting Time.

Sometimes a child can grow and mature so that he/she can deal with some questionable
aspects of a parent's behavior. Each case would need to be individually assessed.

IV. PROPOSED REASONS FOR MONITORED EXCHANGES

An alternative child-centered approach to assuring safety.

1. When conflict is only between the parents (adults) and is not involving the child.

2. As a transitional measure, when the plan is to move from supervised to unsupervised
parenting time.

3. When one parent has concerns about being in the presence of the other parent.

4. When a psychological debriefing (usually a chat to check on the condition of the child)
and/or checking for safety by a neutral third party is needed.

When in-person exchanges are not appropriate, whether there are Restraining Orders or
not, these exchanges are best done in child-centered environments, such as at a child care
facility, school, or homes of concerned family members. We do not recommend all public
places - they usually are not set up as child-centered, safe situations.

V. WHEN SHOULD THERAPEUTIC PARENTING BE IN PLACE?

Safety of the child is primary. It is child-centered intervention.

1. When a child is scared around the parent, showing more than general anxiety (this may
have to be formally assessed).

2. When a parent has engaged in abuse on, or around, a child.

3. When the visiting parent asks for it, if there is an agreed upon treatment goal.

4. When a child asks for it, if there can be an agreed upon treatment goal.

5. When a child will not talk or communicate with the adult.

6. Under a court order.

7. When any of the reasons under heading # I. are present and parents/guardians agree it
would be better to build a healthy relationship under professional guidance.

8. When Supervised Parenting professionals agree that the progression of the relationship
has stalled and something is needed to facilitate growth.

9. When Supervised Parenting Time has not helped the relationship progress after about
six months.

Treatment goals will be more specific and psychologically appropriate than simply having
the child(ren) spend time with the adult.

Comments: It is good to specifically tell parents to smile, agree, and let the child have a
good time with the other adult (residential or non-residential parent or adults involved in
the Parenting Time).

At this time we recommend that professionals who engage in Therapeutic Parenting be licensed
or at least registered with the State of Colorado, and have a minimum of a Master's Degree in a
social science. They also need to have extensive training and experience dealing with a variety
of mental health issues, and specifically: human development, child therapy, family therapy, abuse, high conflict relationships, high conflict relationship break-ups, and conflict resolution. These professionals will need to utilize many techniques and approaches beyond that used in Supervised Parenting Time.

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To send email directly to T J Price, Psy D, a co-founder of the Child-Parent Coalition,
click here: tj@Tjprice,com