The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

This document was printed from the website of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), which you can access at http://www.cachildwelfareclearinghouse.org/

Family Visitation Services - Detailed Report

Scientific Rating:
4
Lacks Adequate Research Evidence
See scale of 1-6
Scientific Rating:
4 - Lacks Adequate Research Evidence
On a scale of 1-6

Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1
High
See scale of 1-3
Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1 - High
On a scale of 1-3

Type of Maltreatment: Emotional abuse, Exposure to domestic violence, Physical abuse, Physical neglect, and Sexual abuse

Target Population: A family or child currently involved with the state’s child welfare system’s foster care/visitation system.

Brief Description:

Family Visitation Services has been rated by the CEBC in the area of Child Welfare Visitation Services. Family Visitation Services is a program run by Visinet, Inc. that provides a safe way for children and parents to have court order supervised visits. Supervised Visitation Specialists, hired by the program, observe and report the interaction between children and the adult they are visiting (i.e., their parents/caretakers/ grandparents, etc.) to the Nebraska Health and Human Services (NHHS)—Protection and Safety/Integrated Care Coordination Unit (ICCU) case manager. All relevant interaction that takes place between family members is documented and reported. Supervised Visitation Specialists will not provide educational assistance during these sessions, unless there is an identifiable safety concern. Supervised Visitation Specialists will complete two full sessions to observe and document the interventions that are necessary for the family to function, and will not terminate a visit unless a child’s safety is at risk. A service assessment will be completed after the two sessions to determine the most appropriate service for the family. If the agency determines that family support is necessary, the program coordinator will contact the case manager and request family support referral and authorization.

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Essential Components

Show Essential Components
  • The goal of Supervised Visitations services is to observe and objectively report the interaction between youth and identified family members.
  • The family or youth must be currently involved with Nebraska Health and Human Services (NHHS), Integrated Care Coordination Unit (ICCU) or with the Region.
  • The Visitation Specialist may redirect for up to two consecutive sessions at which time a service assessment will be completed to refer to family support.
  • Redirections may include but are not limited to the following: inappropriate parenting, safety concerns, children are out of instructional control, etc.

Group Format

Family Visitation Services was not designed to be conducted in a group.

Family Visitation Services has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended Parameters

Recommended intensity: The frequency of visits is individually tailored by the Protective Service Case Manger to meet the needs for the family. The average family support case will average 2x a week for 2hrs.

Recommended duration: The family typically uses the services for 6 to 8 months based on its needs.

Homework

Family Visitation Services does not include a homework component.

Delivery Setting

Family Visitation Services is typically conducted in a(n): Adoptive Home, Birth Family Home, Community Agency, and Foster Home.

Parent Component

Family Visitation Services was not designed with a Parent Component.

Child Component

Family Visitation Services was designed with a Child Component.

Family Visitation Services addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms: Does not live with bio-parent or caregiver

Age range(s): 0-17

Family Visitation Services was developed for children with developmental delays.

Family Visitation Services has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Racial/Ethnic Diversity

Family Visitation Services was not designed for specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.

Family Visitation Services was not tested in specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.

Education and Training Resources

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program.

There is training available for Family Visitation Services.

Training contact: Shelly Hart-Keller, MSW, PLMHP

Number of days/hours: Varies depending on need

Training is obtained: Via phone consultation

There currently are not additional qualified resources for training.

Identified Resources Necessary to Implement Program

The typical resources for implementing Family Visitation Services are: Training room, Supervisory staff, Training books, and Pagers

Minimum Provider Qualifications

Supervised Visitation Specialist- Two years of college credit in social work or related field or two years of related human service experience. Available to work three nights a week and six hours on the weekend.

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

There are currently no research studies on Family Visitation Services.


References

There are currently no published articles on Family Visitation Services.


Contact Information

Contact name: Shelly Hart-Keller, MSW, PLMHP

Affiliation/Agency: Visinet Inc.

Email: Shelly@visinetinc.com

Phone: 402-464-8866, ext. 1010

Fax: 402-464-8879

Website: http://www.visinetinc.com/supervised_visitation.jsp

Date reviewed: October 2007