The Jameson Center Supervised Visitation
and Exchange Program

The Jameson Center Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program serves custodial and non-custodial parents and their children who reside in Galveston County and Southern Harris County, Texas. The Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program provides opportunities for supervision of non-custodial parent visitation and exchanges of children between custodial and non-custodial parents who reside in Galveston County and immediate surrounding areas. These services assist in developing and/or maintaining quality relationships between children and their non-custodial parents, who the court has determined require monitoring to assure the safety and well being of the children.

The facility used for Supervised Visitation is electronically secured, with a secure

outdoor play area (eight feet tall fencing). Large classrooms are provided for Supervised Visitation that provide developmentally oriented toys, activities and games.

Referrals are accepted from courts, attorneys, or self-referrals by clients. There are no fees for services. All parties must complete the referral form and attach a copy of the court order for supervised visitation or exchanges. Both the Custodial and the Non-Custodial parents must make an appointment to register. At registration, each party is provided an orientation on the rules of the program and provided a copy of the rules. Those participating in supervised visitation, including the children, are given a tour of the facility. Children are also told they may speak or express concerns, before, during, or after any visit or exchange. All registration forms are completed at the registration appointment, and a copy is given to the registering party. Once both parties have registered, the first visit or exchange is scheduled.

The visitation supervisor and assistants will monitor children during the interval between custodial and non-custodial parent arrival and departure times. During scheduled visitation, the visitation assistants are stationed in each of the visitation areas utilized. The visitation supervisor will float between visitation rooms to monitor all visits and attend to any problems that may arise. The staff provide constant observation of familes during visitation in order to prevent any inappropriate, unsafe or prohibited behaviors on the part of non-custodial parents. Visitation assistants accompany families into the secured playground area during a portion of the visit if desired by families. The Visitation supervisor assesses the quality of visits and appropriately intervenes as necessary to assure the safety and well being of the children.

During scheduled exchanges the visitation supervisor monitors the children during the interval between custodial and on-custodial parent arrival and departure times. The supervisor relays any messages from one party to the other regarding the child's health, medication or other relevant issues. The visitation supervisor documents the exchanges including behaviors noted, significant observations, and concerns by either party.

The Jameson Center Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program is funded in part by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas and by private contributions.

To access the supervised visitation program, please contact:

Stacey Hanlon L.M.S.W.
P. O. Box 2600
Galveston, Texas 77553
Fax (409) 75-6094
E-mail: StaceyHanlon@thechildrenscenterinc.org