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What is the relationship between the professional visitation monitor/agency and the Court? The only relationship is one of referral from the Court to the monitor/agency and then written feedback from the monitor/agency back to the Court. There is no financial relationship and there is no information-sharing other than the monitor/agency report back to the Court. Court orders, FCS reports, TRO’s and other administrative information must be provided to the monitor/agency by the parties to the case or their legal representatives. The Court does not ever provide such information to the monitor/agency. Sometimes the Court makes an order that allows the parties to select the supervisor. However, the Court does order a specific monitor or agency in some cases. Who licenses supervised visitation/exchange monitors or agencies? The California Judicial Council adopted guidelines in January of 1998 which established the first Uniform Standards for Supervised Visitation Services in the State of California. While the Council recommends following the same guidelines for supervised exchanges, it is not required. San Diego County adopted the Judicial Council guidelines as local rules in 1998. Training of monitors was one of the guidelines proposed by the Judicial Council and adopted by San Diego as a local rule. Hannah’s House offers the only locally authorized training program for professional monitors. All Hannah’s House staff meet the new guidelines. A current list of monitors is available from Family Court Services at (619) 557-2100. What is the difference between Supervised Visitation and Supervised Exchange? Supervised visitation means that all contact between the supervised parent and the child(ren) is under the direct eye shot and ear shot observation of the professional monitor from the beginning of the visit when the children are taken from the custodial parent to the end of the visit when the child is returned to the custodial parent. If the child(ren) is/are in contact with the supervised parent, the monitor is within eye shot and ear shot whether the visit is inside or outside. Supervised exchange means that only the actual transfer of the child from one parent to the other and back again is supervised. Both parents are allowed to have completely unsupervised time with their child outside the time of the transfer. Why does the Court order Supervised Visitation? There are numerous situations in which the Court might order supervised visitation. While the situations may vary widely, what they have in common is a lack of information about the supervised parent’s ability to appropriately parent a child in a manner that is safe and nurturing. The Court has a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of the child first, followed by frequent and continuing contact with the parents. In a situation where the safety and welfare issue is unclear, the Court is likely to utilize supervised visitation with a professional monitor for a period of time. Specific situations in which the Court may order supervised visitation:
Why does the Court order Supervised Exchange? The primary reasons the Court orders Supervised Exchanges are: (1) alleged or documented history of conflict/violence between the parents at the time of exchange; or (2) alleged or documented chronic lateness and no-shows for unsupervised exchanges by one or the other party. What are the different types of Supervised Visitation available? Observation: The monitor’s role is to observe and document all interactions that occur within eye shot and ear shot of the monitor. The monitor is not to intervene unless the non-custodial party violates law, policies, or procedures, including threats to the child’s emotional or physical safety. If either the CP or NCP asks for assistance in supporting the child in the visitation or exchange process, the monitor may provide it. The monitor will offer unsolicted assistance if it is clear the CP or NCP could make the situation easier for the child(ren.) Supportive: The monitor’s role is to observe and document all interactions that occur within eye shot and ear shot of the monitor. The monitor makes suggestions to the parent about age-appropriate and interest-appropriate ways to engage or support the child(ren) during the supervised visitation. These suggestions are made before, during and after the visitation. Communication may be done verbally or in writing depending on the situation and the personalities and needs of the adults and child(ren.) Therapeutic: A therapeutic monitor must be a licensed therapist or a student registered with a licensing board. The monitor’s role is observe and document all interactions that occur within eye shot and ear shot of the monitor. The monitor must have appropriate clinical training, and be licensed or, if a student, supervised by a licensed mental health professional. The monitor actively assists the parent and child in interacting during visitation in the most positive way possible. The monitor also watches and listens for opportunities to assist the parent and child in addressing and resolving issues from the past. The monitor also supports the parent and child in learning how to make healthy transitions and prepare for future transitions in their relationship. NOTE: Supervised visitation services may be provided by an unpaid volunteer as long as that individual abides by all guidelines set forth in the Family Law Code. What are the different types of Supervised Exchange available? No Contact: There is no contact of any kind between the two parties before, during, or after the exchange. The monitor acts as the go-between. Face to Face: There is face-to-face contact between the two parties for the transfer of the child only, with a monitor within eye shot and ear shot observing and documenting. There is no contact between the parties before or after the actual transfer of the child. Curbside: One parent drops off the child(ren) at a designated spot without exiting his/her vehicle. The two parties are within eye shot of each other, but have no face-to-face conctact, The monitor is within eye shot but not ear shot of the exchange. The parties doing the exchange, including the child(ren), are not able to see the monitor, but the monitor is able to observe the behavior of all parties. Who determines what type of Supervised Visitation or Exchange will be utilized? The Court, or the parties and their legal representatives by agreement. Sometimes the professional monitors will make recommendations to the parties and their legal representatives if the monitor believes the child is not benefitting from the type of visitation/exchange being used. The Court, the parties and their legal representatives are under no obligation to respond in the affirmative to any such suggestion from a monitor in a situation where such input has not been expressly requested by the Court. Ultimately, it is the Court who will decide if there is to be a change in the type of visitation/exchange being utilized. The Professional Monitor rarely makes recommendations as that is not the generally accepted role. If the Court has ordered that recommendations are to be made by the supervision monitor, team, or agency, then recommendations will be made. If not, then the supervisor/agency is only allowed to report documented observations. The observations must be conveyed in a manner that presents the information but does not interpret or offer possible explanations. It is the responsibility of each party and their legal representatives to provide explanations and/or interpretations to the Court. Are there different levels of supervision? At Hannah’s House, the standard or level for all supervision is 100% eye shot and ear shot. Supervision is provided with one supervisor assigned to one family with all communication and interaction within eye shot and ear shot at all times. Sometimes monitors/agencies do supervise more than one family at a time for brief periods of time but both families are within eye shot and ear shot of the Professional Monitor. Who decides whether or not a visit goes outside the facility? The Supervision Team makes the decision, unless the Court has ordered the highest level of supervision which means no outside activities. First visits are always conducted in a visitation room inside Hannah’s House. If a non-custodial party has attempted or completed the abduction of a child in the past, that individual will be required to completed all supervised visitation inside. Any other family may be approved for outside visitation if it is suitable for the child(ren.) How long does it take for a family to start receiving services once they have made initial contact? 3 - 7 days if there is timely follow through on the part of both parties in completing their phone screenings and orientation, as well as flexibility in scheduling in some cases. In some cases, one party will delay their phone screening and/or orientation for weeks or even months. While we can call or write the non-compliant party, we can not force them to comply with Court Orders. In other cases, the Court Order may specify times that are impossible for one or the other party. When this occurs we attempt to negotiate an amount of time that meets the intent of the Court Order. Some individuals refuse to deviate from the Court Order. In such a case a Judge will normally decide the schedule. What are the arrival and departure procedures for the custodial and non-custodial persons? The arrival and departure procedures have been established to ease the transition for the child to include ensuring there will be no contact of any kind between the parents. The person arriving with child(ren) arrives between 10 and 20 minutes prior to the visit or exchange to allow the child(ren) transition time. That person waits with the child(ren) until the other person arrives. The person arriving without child(ren) arrives no more than 5 minutes prior to and no more than 5 minutes later than the scheduled time of the visit or exchange. Custodial Parties (CP) must maintain a minimum of a 6-block radius from the agency throughout the entire period of time of a supervised visit. At the end of visit, the custodial person leaves first with the child(ren,) and is expected to leave the area immediately. At the end of exchanges, the person who has dropped the child(ren) off leaves first, and is expected to leave the area immediately. The other person waits until released by a monitor. Arrival and departure procedures may be individualized for each case as necessary to eliminate stress for the child. The Supervision Team will alter the procedures when a child is experiencing difficulty, whether the difficulty is their own or the results of a stressed adult. How do you select and train your monitors? Professional supervision monitors (supervisors) come from a variety of backgrounds, including human services; child care; health care; business; and teaching. It is important to realize that the best professional monitor may not be someone who is a great helper in the traditional sense (for example a therapist or counselor.) That great helper may not have the ability to be objective in his/her documentation and behavior toward the legal parties to the case, instead tending to make evaluations and assessments. Additionally, some people have a tendency to become over-involved with the children when their role is to direct the children to interact with the parent or other supervised adults in the supervised visitation setting rather than interact with the children him or herself. So, the first step in the selection process of professional supervision monitors is the completion of a new client orientation meeting. The prospective supervisor participates anonymously with custodial and non-custodial persons who are preparing for the beginning of supervised visitation services. This allows the prospective monitor to have direct and unfiltered experience with the intense anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, blame, and rage often brought to the situation by the parents. A debrief session is held with the prospective monitor following the new client orientation that is designed to assess their observation and reporting skills raw, with no training or coaching. If the prospective monitor provides reasonably factual and objective reporting of their observations; and responds well to feedback and questions from the training staff; and is still interested in training for forensic service delivery, they proceed with a training process. Monitors are required to complete a 40-hour training program that consists of classroom instruction specific to forensic supervised visitation service delivery, including safety and security; screening, intake and orientation; documentation, reports and record-keeping; as well as dynamics of parental alienation, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse. Another important component of the training program is classroom instruction which trains to the factual observation procedures utilized in the delivery of professional supervised visitation. Once the classroom education is completed, the trainees begin the shadow-training phase. They actually supervise visits and exchanges with experienced and trained monitors, completing their own set of paperwork. Once each client service event is completed, the trained monitor reviews the trainees documentation and provides feedback. Then a Senior Monitor reviews both the work of the training monitor and the trainee. How do you control for bias in your service delivery? Training is the first step in controlling for bias. Monitors must learn how to set and maintain appropriate physical and verbal boundaries with both custodial and non-custodial persons during all aspects of service delivery. Monitors are to remain physically separate from the visitation party. If inside, they are to sit a distance away from the family members, close enough for 100% eye shot and ear shot but far enough away to avoid inclusion in any activities. When walking outside with a family, the monitor is to follow directly behind the family members. Again, they are to stay close enough for 100% eye shot and ear shot contact but far enough away to avoid inclusion in any activities. If an adult party attempts to engage a monitor in conversation during a visit the supervisor is to remind the individual, either verbally or nonverbally, that they are present to interact with their child. If a child attempts to include a monitor, the monitor should gently redirect the child’s energy and attention toward the parent. Monitors are required to document all conversations they have with either party. If either party on the case makes attempts to denigrate (put down) the other party to a monitor, the monitor is required to remind the person that such communication is not allowed and the incident must be documented as an RAR (Refer to Activity Report.) An RAR on an Activity Report identifies an incident that occurred during a visitation or exchange that requires follow-up by phone, or possible inclusion in a court report. Another important aspect of the training that controls for bias in service delivery is skills development in working as part of a Supervision Team. Any individual, no matter how well-trained or how well-intentioned, is likely at times to develop a liking or dislike for a person they spend long periods of time with. Professional monitors are trained to observe, disclose and discuss their own biases with the rest of the Supervision Team. Each family receives professional supervision from more than one monitor to ensure the most accurate reporting possible. Finally, some monitors may disqualify themselves from a case, or be disqualified by the Supervision Team if situations present that jeopardize neutrality for any client. If you use a Supervision Team for service delivery, who writes the reports and how are they compiled? The court reports are a compilation of the documentation from all of the activity reports for a given period of time. The first step in the process is called a court count and is conducted by a staff member who identifies all attendance, timeliness, and cancellation issues for both parties. The second step in writing the report is a rough draft of the observation elements recorded for each visit or exchange. The third step is identifying specific examples of important observations that illustrate key behaviors of the parents. The fourth step is a review of the draft report and the underlying documentation by the monitors who provided services on the case. The fifth step is a review by the Senior Supervisor. The sixth and final step is a review by the Executive Director. Editing is accomplished at each step in the process as each level of input is obtained. How is the decision made to issue a report? Any party on a case may request a report. We require that the requesting party have a court date or mediation date scheduled prior to the report request. Reports must be paid in advance. Reports take 7 - 10 days to complete and will be issued to all parties upon completion. Our policy is that the cost of reports is split between the adult parties. One party may pay for the entire report either due to preference or because the other party refuses or is unable to pay. There must be a zero balance on the entire account of the case for both parties prior to release of a report – in some cases this may mean that one party pays another party’s fees. This is noted in the court report when this occurs. What authority does the supervision monitor have to prevent or terminate an exchange or visit? The decision to prevent or terminate an exchange or visit is the right and responsibility of the professionally-trained monitor providing services. This is specified by the Judicial Council Guidelines that are also local rules of court in San Diego. The goal of the professional monitor is create an environment that promotes calm, kind and consistent contact for a child with the parent who is picking up or visiting. Sometimes the monitor is completely unable to create such an environment. This may be due to the fear, anxiety, or illness of a child. Other times it may be an adult who is emotionally and/or behaviorally upset and unable or unwilling to respond to requests to calm down. The supervisor will always make every effort to alter and adjust the environment to meet the goal of contact between a child and a parent. However, each monitor must ultimately make his/her own decision about the potential to de-escalate a stressful situation. It is, therefore, the monitor’s absolute right to make the decision and it is the responsibility of all adult parties to accept the decision, leave in a mature fashion and debrief later when every one is calmed down. If an adult refuses to leave and/or refuses to de-escalate, the monitor has the authority to call local law enforcement for assistance in keeping the peace. This is a last resort because the professional monitor does not want to involve law enforcement and risk increasing the stress for the child. However, the safety of families and staff are the most important consideration in such a situation. How is local law enforcement involved in the work of the professional supervised visitation monitor? Law enforcement personnel will enforce court orders, including enforcing supervised visitation and supervised exchanges. While the police can enforce orders, they do not have the authority to over ride the policies, procedures, and decisions of the professional monitor/agency. When a monitor/agency has decided to prevent or terminate an exchange, law enforcement cannot force the monitor or agency to change that decision. They can enforce a visitation or exchange separate from and off the property of the monitor/agency, unless the Court Order specifies that the visitation or exchange must be conducted by a particular monitor/agency and the monitor/agency is unwilling to participate. The monitor/agency might opt to directly involve the police under the following circumstances:
The monitor/agency has an obligation to keep local law enforcement informed of the types of visitation and exchange services being offered in the community, including days, times and locations. What is the usual length of time Hannah’s House employees stay with the organization? 5-10 years for administrative and direct service staff and 15+ years for executive staff. San Diego Magazine published this quote from an employee about the agency and Susan Griffin in an article about supervised visitation and exchange: "Mary Weithaus, a supervisor at the Hillcrest office for four years, says her experience...has been nothing but positive. 'You deal with a lot of anger from parents there,' she says. 'But we tell the truth in our reports and are nonjudgmental.' Weithaus calls Griffen 'a wonderful human being under a lot of stress, trying to provide a very needed service.'" Why is Hannah’s House corporate name Griffin & Wong Institute for Education & Training? Griffin & Wong are the last names of the co-founders of the organization and there are still many people throughout the country who know Hannah’s House only as Griffin & Wong. Children do not relate to the official name of the organization and never have. They have always referred to the facility as Susan’s House, Joel’s House, Mary’s House, etc, depending on what staff member the child knew the best. So the needs of the children using our services actually led to the name change. What are the differences between the Agency Setting (AS) and the Individual Monitor Setting (IMS)? There are several differences between the Agency Setting (AS) and the Individual Monitor Setting (IMS) and the choice depends on the needs of all the parties, especially the children. SETTINGThe AS provides a combination of private family rooms for each visiting parent and his or her child/ren and outside activities, both of which are available for each visit. The AS provides a variety of amenities including toys, books, games, puzzles, videos (and equipment), kitchen facilities, snack shop, sports equipment and an enclosed onsite playground. The private rooms with full amenities allow children the ability to spend time in a living-room-style environment for the entire visit if they want to. Since the AS is located in a family-friendly neighborhood within easy walking distance of many child-oriented activities, children may also spend time with their parents in a variety of outside and neighborhood activities. Click here to see activities near Hannah’s House. The AS allows visitations at any public place accessible by taxi, bus, or trolley. The Professional Monitor is with the visiting parents and child 100% of the visit whether inside, outside or a combination. The ISM typically conducts visits in public places or in the home of the supervised parent or, sometimes, the home of extended family of the supervised parent. Public places may include parks, restaurants, libraries, the Zoo, Sea World, Chuck E Cheese and other amusement parks and activities. SECURITY AS is set up with separate entrances to ensure the adults do not have any kind of contact with each other in the presence of the children before, during or after the exchange or visitation. This helps the parents and the child/ren feel secure as the the child goes back and forth between Mom and Dad. The ISM may transport the child to avoid contact between the parents. Special auto insurance is required and sometimes the transition between Mom and Dad is harder because there a significant passage of time without the reassurance of the primary caretaker before contact with the visiting parent. Another strategy used by the ISM may be to require the each parent to park in a specific spot, arrive and depart in staggered time periods, and minimize the amount of time that passes between the child’s departure from the residential parent and joining with the visiting parent. SAFETYAS is set up with a discrete and effective security system including locked doors requiring clearance for entrance via a camera intercom. This environment tends to make sure everyone feels safe and stays safe. While violence is the exception during supervised visitation and/or exchange, parents do sometimes become unexpectedly angry and may yell or even try to physically force the child, Supervisor, or other parent to do something against his or her will. The AS environment prevents such incidents. ISMs, in general, have little control of the safety of the visitation environment and may have more difficulty keeping everyone safe in a volatile situation. A tragic local example is the case of an infant who was murdered by the visiting parent. COMPLIANCE WITH FAMILY CODE 3200 SECTION 26.2 – BIAS AND CONFLICT OF INTERESTTime spent with either party to Family Court Case with a current Court Order for Supervised Visitation must be directly related to scheduling or service delivery issues as specified by guideline or the Professional Monitor may be creating or participating in bias or conflict of interest. This is one of the most difficult Code sections to comply with for the Professional Supervision Monitor in any setting because each party wants to tell their story, disparage the other party and attempt to get the Professional Monitor to “take sides.” The legal guidelines require policies and procedures, in writing, provided to all legal parties to the case so that the guidelines as set out in law is clear and known to all participants. This particular guideline is as important for the Professional Monitor as it is for the legal parties to the case because all communication is on the record and the legal parties must be aware of this at all times as a protection to each of them. A relaxed and casual atmosphere without appropriate boundaries may allow and even encourage disclosures that should be shared only with an attorney, a therapist, a religious mentor, or a close friend. The Professional Monitor is none of those. While training and experience are critical in determining whether or not the Professional Monitor has the ability to set and maintain clear guidelines and boundaries in this area, there are differences between the AS and IMS that are important. The IMS tends to work alone in public settings where it may be more difficult to disengage from a party who is sharing inappropriate information with the Professional Monitor. The AS lends itself to protection for both the Professional Monitor and the legal parties to the case because there is a physical environment which sets and maintains appropriate boundaries between the service provider and the recipient of the service. Additionally, the AS is able to utilize a Supervision Team which controls for bias and conflict of interest by allowing a number of professionals to observe and document the relationship between the visiting parent and the children. This is a protection and safeguard in the area of bias and conflict of interest because it keeps the focus of the parents and child/ren on family members and not the Supervisor. With adequate training and experience, most Professional Monitors develop the ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries in any setting. However, there are some Professional Monitors who are unable to develop the skill set necessary to comply with this guideline in the Family Code. How many days per year is Hannah’s House open, and how many hours of supervised parenting time does Hannah’s House provide over the course of a year? Hannah’s House is open 362 days per year and provides over 5000 hours of supervised parenting time annually. HH is open every day of the year except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. How is Hannah's House funded? Hannah's House is supported through donations by private foundations, service organizations, and individuals; and program fees charged on a sliding fee scale. HH does not receive any government funding of any kind: city, county, state, or federal.
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Hannah's House (619) 294-9852
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