Visitation Planning

A key method of fostering safety for families utilizing supervised visitation is to incorporate visitation planning as a regular and ongoing practice. The practice of visitation planning is similar to safety planning domestic violence advocates commonly use; however, it's explicitly designed to create safety for families before, during, and after visitation and exchange services.

Visitation planning should happen in partnership with the survivor parent, not independent of the person needing protection. Survivors of domestic violence are experts in their own lives, and our planning should be guided by their knowledge and understanding of what they need to stay safe. The partnership requires service providers have an active role in supporting the implementation of the plan and working with individuals to enhance safety. It is important to remember that safety is not static; needs and risk change. Visitation planning is a practice that starts during the orientation process and continues in an ongoing way during check-ins conducted before and after each visitation or exchange. Visitation planning should not result in creating a formal document or form the other parent could gain access to or have knowledge of the details.