Our Services

Supervisions

Supervised visitation refers to a typically court-ordered arrangement where a parent or guardian is only allowed to visit with their child in the presence of a neutral third party. This is typically put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the child when there are allegations about the non-custodial parent's behavior, mental health, substance use, history of abuse, or ability to provide safe care.

Key Features of Supervised Visitation:

  • Presence of a Supervisor: A professional approved by the court supervises the interaction between the parent and child.

  • Structured Environment: Visits may occur at a visitation center, a public place, or another approved setting.

  • Limited Freedom: The parent under supervision may not take the child elsewhere, and physical contact may be limited depending on court orders.

  • Observation & Reporting: The supervisor monitors the visit and may take notes or submit reports to the court if requested.

Monitored Exchange (Supervised Drop-Off and Pick-Up)

  • What it is: The actual exchange of the child is supervised to prevent conflict between parents, but the visit itself is not supervised.

  • Supervisor's role: Oversee handoff of the child, often at a neutral location like a visitation center or police station.

  • When used: In cases of high parental conflict or restraining orders.

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Virtual Supervised Visitation

  • What it is: Supervised visits take place via video calls (Zoom, Skype, etc.), with a supervisor observing the interaction remotely.

  • Supervisor's role: Monitor the conversation and ensure appropriateness.

  • When used: When physical visits are not feasible (distance, health issues, etc.)

Also offered are pop in visits, visitations by agreement rather than court order, visitation without notes provided, and other options as required by a specific case.

Special Education Advocacy

Special education advocacy involves supporting and promoting the educational rights of students with disabilities to ensure they receive appropriate services, accommodations, and individualized instruction under laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Key Aspects of Special Education Advocacy:

1. Understanding the Law

Advocates must be familiar with:

  • IDEA (guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education—FAPE)

  • Section 504 (protects against discrimination)

  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

2. Supporting Families

Advocates help parents or guardians:

  • Understand their child’s rights

  • Navigate the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan process

  • Interpret evaluations and school records

  • Communicate effectively with school personnel

  • Prepare for and attend meetings (IEP, eligibility, mediation, due process)

3. Ensuring Appropriate Services

This can include pushing for:

  • Speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support

  • Accommodations like extended time or assistive technology

  • Placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE)

4. Resolving Disputes

Advocates may help with:

  • Informal negotiation with the school

  • Filing formal complaints

  • Mediation or due process hearings (though attorneys are often needed for legal representation)

5. Empowering Parents and Students

A major goal is to build the family’s capacity to advocate effectively on their own, ensuring long-term success and self-advocacy for the student as they mature.

In short: Special education advocacy is about ensuring children with disabilities get the education they are legally entitled to—and helping families hold schools accountable when they fall short.

 

 

Home Inspections

 Home Inspection for Custody Dispute

A home inspection in a custody case is a court-ordered or court-recommended evaluation of a parent’s living environment to determine if it is safe, suitable, and appropriate for the child.

Purpose:

  • Ensure the home is clean, safe, and child-friendly

  • Assess whether the child will have adequate space, proper supervision, and basic needs met

  • Help inform custody or visitation decisions

What They Look For:

  • Safety hazards (exposed wires, firearms, drugs, broken locks)

  • Cleanliness and hygiene

  • Sleeping arrangements (e.g., does the child have a proper bed?)

  • Functioning utilities (water, electricity, heat/AC)

  • Food availability

  • General sense of stability and structure

Outcome:

  • A report is written and submitted to the court

  • May influence custody, visitation schedule, or conditions for visits (e.g., supervised visits, required repairs)

Parent Coaching

Parent Coaching for Co-Parenting Concerns

Parent coaching for co-parenting is a structured, non-therapeutic support service designed to help separated or divorced parents work together more effectively for the well-being of their children.

Goals:

  • Reduce conflict

  • Improve communication

  • Help parents develop a child-centered approach

  • Establish consistent rules and expectations between households

Format:

  • Individual or joint sessions with a parenting coach

  • May be court-ordered in high-conflict custody cases or recommended by a mediator

Topics Covered:

  • Emotional regulation and conflict management

  • Constructive communication

  • Shared decision-making

  • Parenting time transitions

  • Dealing with new partners or blended families

  • Supporting the child’s emotional needs during and after separation

Outcome:

  • Can help avoid court battles by improving cooperation

  • Often results in a parenting plan or improved co-parenting agreement

  • Sometimes a progress report is submitted to the court

In summary:

  • Parent coaching helps parents work together more peacefully and effectively to raise their child post-separation.

Parent coaching and home inspections are both tools that are used by courts to prioritize the child’s best interests and can play a role in shaping custody and visitation outcomes.