The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Family Visitation Services program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Supervised Visitation, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Neglect, Emotional Abuse, Exposure to Domestic Violence
• Target Population: A family or child currently involved with the state's child welfare system's foster care/visitation system.

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.

• 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.

Family Visitation Services was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Does not live with bio-parent or caregiver.

Age range: 0 – 17

Developmental Delays:

This program was developed for children with developmental delays; but has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Family Visitation Services was not designed with a parent/caregiver component.

Family Visitation Services was not designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has not been tested for use in a group setting.

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.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Adoptive Home
• Birth Family Home
• Community Agency
• Foster Home

This program does not include a homework component.

Family Visitation Services does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

• Training room
• Supervisory staff
• Training books
• Pagers

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.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Shelly Hart-Keller, MSW, PLMHP

Training is obtained:

Via phone consultation.

Number of days/hours:

Varies depending on need.

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Family Visitation Services.

No reference materials are currently available for Family Visitation Services.