Visitation & Incarcerated Parents Workgroup

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Visitation & Incarcerated Visitation & Incarcerated Parents WorkgroupParents Workgroup

Report to theReport to the

Pennsylvania StatePennsylvania State

Children’s RoundtableChildren’s RoundtableMay 27, 2011May 27, 2011

Harrisburg, PAHarrisburg, PA

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How We Got StartedHow We Got Started

Last year: Part of Fatherhood

EngagementPreliminary Report to SRT in

May 2010 recommended expansion/new workgroup

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Visitation—issues not limited to dads

Purpose: Identify & develop best

practices Make recommendations

about frequency, quality, who visits, supervision & location of visits

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Incarcerated Parents—issues apply to moms as well

Purpose: Identify & develop best

practices, Develop protocol for

engagement

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Make recommendations about visitation & engagement in:Case PlanningDelivery of ServicesCourt Process

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Visitation Is a Right—Not a Visitation Is a Right—Not a Privilege!Privilege!

Importance of VisitationImportance of Visitation Eases Trauma of Separation Helps to Preserve or Develop

Bond Frequent, Meaningful, Quality

Visitation=Predictor of Reunification!!

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Importance of VisitationImportance of VisitationProvides Opportunity for

Ongoing AssessmentProvides Parents w/

opportunity to learn, improve, develop & practice parenting

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Importance of VisitationImportance of VisitationEases Parents’ Concerns About

the care the children are receiving

Visitation honors the existing bond, while providing a safe environment

Communicates that family is important

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Who Should Visit?Who Should Visit?

ParentsSiblings (Act 115)GrandparentsAunts & UnclesMentors OthersParents whose rights have

been terminated (Act 101)

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The Importance of FathersThe Importance of Fathers

BarriersBarriers No prior involvement Focus of agency & court on

mothers

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BarriersBarriers Mothers are resistant Fathers do not respond to

traditional outreach

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It is in the child’s best interest (in most cases) to have regular contact with father

Use other forms of contact, in addition to visits

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Use FGDM to involve fathers

Think outside of the box to ensure visits with fathers are meaningful!

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Frequency, Duration & Frequency, Duration & Intensity of VisitsIntensity of Visits

Infants & ToddlersInfants & Toddlers First Visit—within 72 hours of

removal Minimum of 3 visits per week Daily visits for new-borns &

infants, if possible

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Infants & ToddlersInfants & Toddlers Kinship caregivers, if

possible Foster home close to the

parents

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Children Ages 5 to 12Children Ages 5 to 12 First Visit—within 72 hours of

removal Consider child’s activities—

Decrease frequency & increase duration

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Children Ages 5 to 12Children Ages 5 to 12 Collateral Activities Discourage visits @

child’s discretion Minimum of once per

week

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Children Ages 13 to 17Children Ages 13 to 17First Visit—within 72 hours

of removalConsider child’s

independence and wishes

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Children Ages 13 to 17Children Ages 13 to 17 Discourage visits @ child’s

discretion At least once per week Let the visit end naturally

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Children Ages 18 to 21Children Ages 18 to 21

Visits at their discretion

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Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations Safety is primary

consideration Reunification—move

quickly from supervised to unsupervised to overnight to extended

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Other ConsiderationsOther ConsiderationsOther meaningful contact (calls, letters, school activities, etc.)Large sibling groups—consider separating

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Other ConsiderationsOther ConsiderationsSibling visits should occur at least twice per monthVisitation plan should address visits with others.

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Role of the CourtRole of the Court

Judicial Oversight is Key!!Judicial Oversight is Key!! Shelter Hearing—If visits

have not occurred, court should order

If agency recommends supervised visits, court should ask WHY?

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In deciding WHERE child is placed—consider HOW it will impact on ability to visit

Judge should state on the record visitation plan and expectations

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Court order should set forth: Supervision (& reasons) Frequency & duration Location Whether a Report is

required

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Court order should set forth: Who will transport Assistance to parents Sibling visits Visits with others

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Judge should also order other contacts

If visitation plan has not been followed, judge should ask WHY and consider “no reasonable efforts”, if appropriate

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At every hearing, the judge should examine the plan and change, if appropriate

If visits are observed or therapeutic, judge should ask about changes or improvements

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Judge should always ask the child about the visits

Never withhold visitation as punishment:

Visitation is a Right—Not a Visitation is a Right—Not a Privilege!Privilege!

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Supervision & OversightSupervision & Oversight

Supervision—reason related to physical, mental, or emotional safety

Oversight—specific, documented reason needed

Supervision should NOT be the “default” position

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If supervised, there should be a plan to move to unsupervised when goal is reunification

Visits should never occur at the discretion of the agency

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Unsupervised visits—preferred Entirely Supervised—Sight &

SoundDocumented safety concernsPhysical, sexual, emotional abusePressure to recant testimonyRisk to abscond

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Visitation Supervisors should be trained

If safety concerns can be addressed without constant supervision, consider a less restrictive level—example: change location

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Therapeutic VisitsFacilitated by a licensed therapistAppropriate where parent/child

have strained relationship, child is witness to or victim of abuse, where parent lacks understanding of child’s mental, emotional, physical & social development

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Structured VisitsHelps parents develop parenting

skillsFacilitator should be neutral

trained personFacilitator provides feedback &

intervention & assists in developing visitation plan

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Monitored & Observed VisitsNeeded if court wants a reportAppropriate to ensure that

there are no safety concerns—is parent under the influence or sober

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Who Should Supervise?Anyone—consider the reasons for

the supervisionParent & child should be

comfortable with the supervisorSame person should supervise

each timeSame person should transport

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Training for Supervisors Training for Supervisors Intervention techniquesUnderstanding the normal

reactions & behaviors of children & parents before, during & after visits

Proper Parenting techniques

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Redirection techniquesFamily dynamicsCommunication skillsCultural competency &

awarenessProper feedback

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Evaluation & AssessmentEvaluation & AssessmentVisitation supervisor should testify

in courtAgencies should develop an

evaluation toolFeedback should be given

immediately & should include STRENGTHS as well as areas for improvement

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Special Concerns/CircumstancesSpecial Concerns/CircumstancesDomestic AbuseSexual AbuseChildren in Group HomesParent or Child with Special

Needs

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Location of VisitsLocation of Visits

Location, Location, Location—Location, Location, Location—Does it Matter?Does it Matter?

Parents’ HomeCommunityFoster HomeVisitation CenterAgency Visiting RoomOther Contacts

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Quality of VisitationQuality of Visitation

Preparation for Visitation—What’s the plan?

Feedback and DebriefingVisit Coaching

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Goodbye/Moving On VisitsGoodbye/Moving On Visits

Held after TPRNot just another visitHelps provide a sense of closureParent accepts responsibility and

reassures that TPR is not child’s fault

Preparation is essentialTrained facilitator is essential

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Goodbye/Moving On VisitsGoodbye/Moving On Visits

Location is importantNot appropriate in all cases—

consider Dangerous/disruptive behavior of a

parent at prior visits No contact orders Refusal of parent to participate in

planning of the visits Child’s therapist says no Refusal of child or parent to participate

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Best Practices Best Practices Model ProgramsModel Programs

Visit CoachingVisit CoachingBridging the GapBridging the GapVisitation Houses (Indiana, Visitation Houses (Indiana,

Washington, Westmoreland)Washington, Westmoreland)Visit HostingVisit Hosting

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Best Practices Best Practices Model ProgramsModel Programs

Arsenal Therapeutic Arsenal Therapeutic Visitation Program Visitation Program (Allegheny)(Allegheny)

Project PACT Rapid Project PACT Rapid Reunification (Beaver)Reunification (Beaver)

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated Parents Engagement In Case PlanningEngagement In Case Planning

Protocol for AgencyProtocol for AgencyCW should meet w/parentCW should ask about relative

caregiversAttempt to ascertain release date

so that case plan includes discharge plan

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Protocol for AgencyProtocol for AgencyCW should explain court process to

parent and provide info on representation

If the FSP was made prior to incarceration, it should be amended to include goals for the incarcerated parent

CW should notify the parent of all meeting and hearings

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Protocol for AgencyProtocol for AgencyCW should determine whether

assessments were made and what steps parent has taken to comply with treatment recommendations

CW should assess availability of services in the facility

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Best Practices for the AgencyBest Practices for the AgencyFGDMFGDM should be used to

engage in case planningVideoconferencingVideoconferencing (for FSP &

PPM meetings, family conferences,etc.)

CW should contact the social worker in the jail or prison

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Protocol for the Parent AttorneyProtocol for the Parent AttorneyMeet w/client—

videoconferencing, teleconferencing & letters can help

Ask client about relative caregivers

Explain ASFA

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Protocol for the Parent AttorneyProtocol for the Parent AttorneyStress importance of working on FSP

goals during incarcerationMaintain contact w/client on regular

basisSpeak w/jail social workerAssist parent in collecting

documentation of participation in programs

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Role of Judge or MasterRole of Judge or MasterJudicial Oversight is Key!“Set the tone”—Expectation is

that CW meet w/incarcerated parent (IP) & IP is included in the FSP

Judge should ask the CW if IP has been included in the FSP

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Role of Judge or MasterRole of Judge or MasterCourt order should set forth

expectations for CW and for the IP

Court should order IP to contact the CW w/I 72 hours of release

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Role of Judge or MasterRole of Judge or MasterPermit CWs & lawyers to

use court videoconferencing equipment & space to facilitate meetings & conferences

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated Parents Engagement In Delivery of Engagement In Delivery of

ServicesServices

Incarceration does not relieve duty to make reasonable efforts or offer reasonable services

Most institutions offer some services

Agency should assess services

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated Parents Engagement In Court ProcessEngagement In Court Process

Participation in court hearings is critical

Participation should be “rule rather than the exception”

Parent attorney should insist that IP attends hearing

Videoconferencing and teleconferencing will help

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Appearances in court provide an opportunity for child to have contact w/IP and for the court to observe the interaction

Appearances in court enable judge to engage the parent and to encourage the parent to participate in case planning & FSP goals

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Protocol for the CourtProtocol for the CourtAutomatic appointment of

counselOrder appearance of IP at

every hearing (in person by video or phone)

State on record the expectations for the IP

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated Parents Visitation Visitation

Importance of Visitation and Importance of Visitation and Contact Between Children & IPsContact Between Children & IPs

2003 Pgh. Child Guidance 2003 Pgh. Child Guidance Foundation Focus GroupsFoundation Focus GroupsMost children desire to maintain relationships w/IPs

Most IPs desire to maintain contact w/ their children

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2003 Pgh. Child Guidance 2003 Pgh. Child Guidance Foundation Focus GroupsFoundation Focus GroupsContact visits are bestNeed appropriate space to visit

Children need preparation to visit

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BarriersBarriersPrisons not supportiveSome allow visits only for moms

Distance, staff resources, etc.Lack of videoconferencingSome county prison do not allow visits

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BarriersBarriersSome judges/masters will not order

CWs do not recommend Lack of preparation for child & IP Lack of structureProblems w/supervision

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RecommendationsRecommendationsIf child had contact w/IP prior to

incarceration, contact should continue

Contact visits are preferredVirtual visits (video and Skype)

should be used to increase frequency of contact

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RecommendationsRecommendationsCWs & attorneys should encourage

other contacts (letters, cards, etc.)CW should meet w/IP to prepare

for the visitGAL, CASA, therapist should meet

w/child to prepare for visitChild should be de-briefed after

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Role of the Judge or MasterRole of the Judge or MasterJudicial Oversight is Key!In deciding whether to order

contact visits consider:Type of contact prior to incarceration & adjudication

Child’s needs & wishes

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In deciding whether to order contact visits consider:Age & special needsDistanceVisitation Schedule at the jail or prison

Wishes of the IP

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Court order should set forth: Whether contact visits should

take place Whether visits should be

supervised Type of supervision or

observationCourt should order same person to

transport

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Court should order additional contacts

Consider whether siblings should visit together

If parent is on work release, the court should order visits to occur outside of the jail or prison (if permitted)

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated Parents Best Practices Best Practices

Families Outside Program—FSWPA Mother’s VoiceTelephone CardsDesignated persons in agency to

coordinate visitsDesignated person in court to

coordinate videoconferencingSpecial visitation & waiting rooms

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Final RecommendationsFinal RecommendationsNext StepsNext Steps

VisitationVisitationApprove creation of Visitation

GuideApprove Best Practice

RecommendationsExplore effects of Act 101Develop hearing/bench cards

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VisitationVisitationApprove creation & distribution

of handbooks forParentsChildrenYouthFoster Parents

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VisitationVisitationWork w/ PA Child Welfare Training

Program to develop training: Visitation Supervisors (engaging parents

& foster parents & how to supervise)

Foster Care Agencies (visitation is a part of foster care)

Court, attorneys, agency, etc. (Understanding reactions of children & parents re

visits)

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated ParentsApprove recommendations &

protocol for engagement in case planning, services & court process

Approve recommendation for visitation

Encourage Roundtables to invite Warden and work w/ community partners

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Incarcerated ParentsIncarcerated ParentsWork w/PA Council of Wardens,

CCAP, AOPC & PCSTJ: Compatibility for

videoconferencing Protocol for videoconferencing

Survey local county jails about visitation practices

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Visitation & Incarcerated Visitation & Incarcerated Parents WorkgroupParents Workgroup

Thank you!!Thank you!!

Visitation & Incarcerated Parents Workgroup

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Transcript of Visitation & Incarcerated Parents Workgroup