SAFE VISITATION PROGRAM

Building Safe & Caring Communities Through Support & Education

Why is Safe Visitation needed?

Research shows the importance of children maintaining safe and positive contact with both parents. However, in families where violence has occurred and the parents are separated, child visits with a non-custodial parent can be stressful.

The Safe Visitation Program allows children to actively engage in safe and meaningful interactions with the non-custodial parent. Emphasis is based on the importance of children growing up having a loving and supportive connections with both parents, even after separation or divorce. The program serves families who have existing safety concerns relating to custody and access issues due to previous and/or current family violence.

Pace Safe Visitation Program

SERVICE AVAILABILITY

  • Safe Visitation services are provided to families living in Northwestern Alberta within our secure facility in Grande Prairie. The trained staff ensures all child(ren) have a positive experience while visiting their parent.
  • The Safe Visitation Coordinator will meet with the parents individually to go over the required documentation needed to complete an application.
  • Once both parents have all the required documentation, visits are scheduled.
  • The staff helps develop safety measures to ensure parents do not have contact with one another, allowing them to focus on the best interest of the child(ren).
  • Safe Visitation staff observe the contact between parent and child(ren) and provide support to enable the child(ren) to have a positive experience
  • Before and after the visit, staff can assist family members in accessing specialized services, such as counseling and parenting support.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all referrals will be accepted into the program

  • Saturday: 9am-5pm
  • Sunday: 9am-5pm
  • Monday: 9am-6pm
  • Tuesday: 9am-6pm
  • Wednesday: 9am-6pm

*Closed Thursday, Friday and Long Weekends

PROGRAM DETAILS

  • A court order is required for the non-custodial parent to have the opportunity to rebuild or maintain a health and meaningful relationships with the child(ren).
  • Each parent is required to complete all documentation, including an initial face-to-face to assess the eligibility for the program.

Program Sponsors

The Government of Alberta

United Way Alberta Northwest

Program Costs

There is no fee for this program to eligible

Families may be eligible for services if:

  • There have been incidents of domestic violence between parents, and parents are separated
  • There is a high risk of continuing or escalating family violence between parents, and children are at risk of further harm or exposure to domestic violence
  • The custodial parent would like a child to have safe contact with the non-custodial parent, a child wishes to visit the non-custodial parent, or a court has ordered that a child must have the opportunity to visit the non-custodial parent
  • Service provision DOES NOT include parenting assessments, clinical treatment, mediation or monthly reporting

Safe Visitation Program TESTIMONIALS

“This is the best program for families . . . my child likes coming here to see his Dad.”
“You guys were great to work with. The program helped me get past my emotions and then focus on my child’s needs.”
“Staff are excellent and help me talk about my frustrations in the situation.”
“You guys are fantastic, not sure how this would have turned out for us if Pace did not have the safe visitation program.”
“I do not know what would have happened to my kids if this program was not available.”
“The visits went very well, liked the staff. Coordinator taught me a lot about my children and how to listen to them.”
“I am so glad Grande Prairie has this program. I know without it I would not have been able to see my girls and stay attached to them. Just a wonderful place to come. You made us feel comfortable and safe to talk about things."
“I want to thank you for being the go between, for me and my ex-wife. Your advice on how to help the kids get through the separation helped me out a lot. I think we will miss you for a while.”
Scroll to Top