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.
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