Shelter: (605) 996-2765 Hotline: (605) 996-4440 Visitation Center: 605-996-8880

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Family Visitation Center

Our mission is to present a safe and supportive environment for family visitation and transfers. Our commitment is to the physical and emotional safety of children. Our philosophy is to advocate for children’s rights to maintain, establish or re-establish healthy contact with parents and other significant adults. We strive to create positive relationships and positive memories for children and their absent parents or relatives.

The Family Visitation Center (FVC) is available to parents and their children as a resource for families seeking a wide range of services in the process of custody and visitation litigation. The safety and comfort of the child is of utmost importance.

Children are often caught in the middle of their parents’ problems, especially when there has been history of abuse.

FVC is designed for children and their separated or divorced parents where there has been conflict involved with visitation, domestic abuse, or child abuse.

The Center serves as a comfortable, neutral location for the transfer of children for traditional visitation and as a location for monitored on-site visitation.

Services Provided

Assisted Exchanges:
FVC is a safe place for the custodial parent to exchange children with the non-custodial parent for visitation without the parents having face-to-face contact. The Center will be used specifically in cases where there may be a history of spouse abuse, harassment, or any other stressful visitation situation.

Visitation with Abusive Parents:
Supervised visitation is provided in cases where there is documented or suspected sexual, physical or emotional abuse. The level of supervision is determined according to the needs of the family. Center staff is available to personally monitor the entire visit with closed-circuit television. Staff supervision of phone contact between children and non-custodial adults is also provided when such contact presents problems for families.

Healthy Visitation Environment:
FVC strives to provide a neutral and non-threatening environment in which parents may interact with their children while creating positive memories.

WHO CAN USE THE CENTER?

WHO CAN REFER TO THE FAMILY VISITATION CENTER?

Family Courts	Attorneys
Court Services	Social Services
Anyone with child protection interests

Child custody proceedings may be the most trying, exasperating and complex of all legal proceedings. Because custody is perhaps the most critical phase in the growing pains of a child’s life, the Family Visitation Center is committed to preserving family relationships within a secure, child-oriented environment.

Community Education Services

Common Sense Parenting Classes
A proven program provides a step-by-step guide for raising responsible children. Designed to help parents build strong, healthy families; making their homes more peaceful, enjoyable and safer for the whole family. Five weeks of sessions held on Monday evenings 6-8 p.m. Designed for parents of children K-12.

Parents Are Teachers Encouraging Good Behavior Preventing Problems

Correcting Problem Behavior Teaching Self Control Putting it all together

S.M.I.L.E. Start Making It Livable for Everyone
A 2-hour educational program for separated or divorced parents with minor children

To help parents better understand the effects of divorce To help parents understand the needs of their children To promote children’s healthy adjustment to divorce

Responsive Parenting Classes
Parents learn about topics such as social-emotional growth, early brain development, temperament and guidance. For parents of children ages birth to 3 years old. Six weeks of sessions held on Tuesday evenings 6-8 p.m.

The Parent Child Dance Your Unique Child Responding to Your Child’s Needs

Encouraging Your Child What and How Your Child Learns Reducing Parenting and Childhood Stress

For more information call:
605-996-8880
mitchellfvc@santel.net

Counties Served:
Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Douglas, Aurora, Jerauld, Sanborn & Miner