KIDZ SAFE FAQs

Supervision and Exchange

Many people and children who are separated or divorcing need help from a neutral third party to facilitate or monitor visitations between a parent and child. This is important, particularly in situations when emotions are running high between parents; in more volatile situations where you may have safely concerns for you or your child; or when continued contact between a parent and their child is upheld and ordered by a judge, and when considering your children’s best interest regarding visitation issues.

1. What is important about Supervised Visitation?

Many people and children who are separated or divorcing need help from a neutral third party to facilitate or monitor visitations between a parent and child. This is important, particularly in situations when emotions are running high between parents; in more volatile situations where you may have safety concerns for you or your child; or when continued contact between a parent and their child is upheld and ordered by a judge, and when considering your children’s best interest regarding visitation issues.

2. What is the difference between supervised visitations and monitored exchange?

Supervised visitation is between a parent and child held at a neutral location. They are closely monitored by a member of our supervised visitation staff who may intervene when necessary to ensure parent/child interactions are safe and healthy.

A monitored exchange occurs when both parents meet together, or at separate times, with a monitor at KIDZ SAFE to exchange their children for their scheduled visitation/custody time. The neutral location is at the KIDZ SAFE office. Staggered pick-up and drop-off times can be arranged so that the parents do not have to come in contact with one another. The actual exchange is monitored by our supervised visitation staff who attempts to ease the process for the children.

A monitored communication occurs when a visitation monitor supervises a phone call between a parent and their child, being monitored through conference calling or SKYPE or similar providers.

3. What is the difference between supervised visitation and therapeutic supervised visitation?

Supervised visitation is the most basic level of visitation where a trained visitation monitor observes the visit between a parent and child and redirects as necessary to ensure safety and security for the child.

Therapeutic supervised visitation, however, is provided by a trained visitation monitor who is also a licensed mental health professional who provides redirection and education regarding appropriate parenting skills, and parent-child interaction. Therapeutic supervised visitation is preferred when there are allegations, or substantiated abuse, of a child by the visiting parent; when there is a significant history of violence or criminal activity by the visiting parent; or significant mental health/substance abuse concerns for the child and visiting parent.

4. When should I consider utilizing Supervised Visitation?

Supervised visitations may be useful in situations where the noncustodial parent:

  • Has had nonexistent or limited visitation time with his/her child(ren)
  • Wants to allow the child (ren) a slow transition into a relationship with themselves.
  • Is experiencing resistance from the other parent to allow unsupervised visitations.

Therapeutic supervised visitations may useful in situation where the noncustodial parent:

  • Is working on improving their parenting skills
  • May have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, mental health issues or stability in other aspects of life
  • Has been abusive or has had trouble controlling anger; or
  • May have been involved in inappropriate behavior with the child(ren).

Monitored exchanges/communications may be useful in any of the situations described above particularly when:

  • The noncustodial parent has completed treatment and is ready for unsupervised visits.
  • When parents separate and engage in conflict with one another in front of their child(ren)
  • When there is a history of domestic violence between parents.
  • May have been involved in inappropriate behavior with the child.

5. How do I get started?

Most people find the services at KIDZ SAFE through referrals from the courts, attorneys, mediators, various family services, child protective services or through online searches. You may contact us at visits@professionalcounseling.us to ask about what our program may be able to do for you.

Paperwork is also found on the website at www.professionalcounseling.us under the KIDZ SAFE tab. The first step is to complete an initial online intake form and submit it online. You then need to download and complete the full intake form, collect the needed documents and pay for an intake appointment online or in person. The KIDZ SAFE coordinator will then contact you to schedule an intake appointment. After both parents have attended an intake appointment and all paperwork has been provided – the program administrator will contact both parties and schedule a visit.

6. Do you provide off-site visitation?

No. Supervised Visitation and Monitored exchanges are only done in our office. If weather and safety issues allow, visits may take place in the backyard at the visitation location or at the city soccer fields one block away.

7. Who can come to the schedule visits?

Only custodial and non-custodial parents who have completed an intake can come to a scheduled visit. In order for someone other than a custodial or noncustodial parent to be present is the visitation, prior written approval documenting mutual agreement between the parents or via a court order is necessary. If someone else wants visitation they will need to complete their own Intake appointment and complete all the necessary paperwork. This is sometimes the case with other family members who would like visitations.

8. Will I have contact with the other parent or participant?

Arrival and departure ties are staggered for parents at the center to avoid contact between parents. We also have policies and procedures for parking lot behaviors for participants and/or those transporting them to the visit in order to prevent contact between the two parties. We believe it is important for parents and family members/friends to behave in a mature pleasant manner when visitation and exchanges are taking place to minimize the tension and anxiety which might otherwise be communicated to the children.

9. What if my child(ren) refuses to participate in the visits?

KIDZ SAFE reserves the right to stop a visit prior to its occurrence or while in progress if in the good-faith judgment of its staff a child(ren) is persistent with severe resistance to the visits. Please review the information listed under Resources for Success as well as the information at the end of the intake application regarding what to expect before, during and after the visit.

10. What are the methods used to provide referrals to KIDZ SAFE for services?

Referrals are not necessary but are welcomed. Referrals can be emailed to visits@professionalcounseling.us or faxed to: 830-637-7438 and should include: case name, type of service to be provided, duration and frequency of service, person(s) financially responsible, additional restrictions or concerns. Self-referral is also welcomed and also takes place by e-mail.

11. How is payment handled and arranged?

Court ordered families are assigned payment responsibility by the court. Other referring agencies may indicate in writing who will be responsible for payment. If the referring agency does not indicate who will be responsible for payment, the KIDZ SAFE will assign financial responsibility. Service will not be provided until a fee agreement is signed by both parties and the initial payment is received. Payment is due one week PRIOR to the time of service for visitation. And is payable through PayPal on the website, Charge Card or cash before the appointment is scheduled. Unless otherwise state, each parent is responsible for payment of their intake appointment.

Each parent will be 100% responsible for their individual communications, whether verbal, written, or electronic with KIDZ SAFE staff that each participant initiates or requires. Each parent will be 100% responsible for the writing of any reports or the reading of any reports or summaries that each participant initiates or requests of KIDZ SAFE staff. Payment can be made online through our website.

12. What are the fees for services at KIDZ SAFE?

Each parent is required to schedule an intake appointment to go over necessary paperwork and to ensure that she/he understands KIDZ SAFE Supervised Visitation Program policies and procedures prior to visits taking place.

Intake $ 100

Supervised visitation

1 – 2 children $ 50

3 – 4 children $ 60

Therapeutic Visitation $100

Notes $ 10 per request

Reports $ 50 an hour to prepare

No Show Entire cost of Service/Visit

Less than 48 hour cancellation Entire cost of Service/Visit

Monitored Exchange  $ 45

Late Fee 5 minutes or less $ 10

6– 10 minutes $ 18

11 – 16 minutes $ 25

13. Are these services covered by my insurance plan?

Fees for supervised visitation services are not covered by insurance companies or insurance plans as they are not a medical process or procedure.



606 Avenue J
Marble Falls, TX 78654

cfoote@professionalcounseling.us
(830) 693-0530

Got Questions?
Send a Message!

By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.