Though the following was written with attorneys in mind, it contains some very helpful tips that foster parents and caseworkers can use to improve the effectiveness of visiting and parenting opportunity arrangements.

Ask parents whose children have entered care about the places they used to go to with their children and whether they would like to continue to see their children in these places; discuss the places in which they would like to visit their children.

Ask if there are people they could identify who could host visits for the family, such as a relative who may not be a foster care resource, or a family friend.

Ask the agency (and/or the court to direct) that a visiting host be explored. Remember that resource issues are very real for the contract agencies attempting to comply with the guidelines; once a potential host has SCR clearance and the worker observes perhaps one or two visits, the worker can then be relieved of facilitating the visit and it will not be as burdensome for the agency to comply with the guidelines.

Ask the agency (and/or the court to direct) that any persons identified by the parents who can either host a visit or assist with transportation to more frequent visits be included in the 72 hour, 30 day and subsequent conferences

• if necessary to get the other parties to agree to a visiting host
• ask the person identified as a potential host to address the judge and assure the court that the s/he will be able to guarantee the child’s safety

Discuss with agencies the possibility of visits taking place in parks, libraries, churches, etc.

Discuss with parents the activities they believe would enhance visits.

Discuss with parents upcoming events where they desire to be present, or where their presence would facilitate reunification: i.e.

• doctor’s visits
• school performances
• graduation
• birthday celebration
• early intervention appointments, etc.

Draft orders which clearly outline an agency’s responsibilities to facilitate visiting, i.e., “agency shall pay transportation costs,” and orders that require agencies to review visiting plans periodically and report to the court on progress in visiting.

Draft orders which make clear that the agency has discretion to reduce supervision and increase the frequency of visits between court appearances.

Ask that caseworkers be specific in articulating the reasons for supervision and ask specific questions about the level of supervision needed. Talk with foster parents and other caretakers about their ideas for more frequent and meaningful visits.

Statuatory Support

FCA 1030

(a) A Respondent shall have the right to reasonable and regularly scheduled visitation

(c) A respondent shall be granted reasonable and regularly scheduled visitation unless the court finds that the child’s life or health would be endangered thereby…

(e) …order [of visitation] shall terminate upon the entry of an order of disposition pursuant to part five of this Article.

See, 1052 (b) (i) and 1055 (b)(vi)where requirement is that visiting plan must be part of the order placing the child…

**always argue that progressive visiting is a reasonable effort towards safe reunification (1027, 1028, 1052, 1055 and in SSL 358-a, 392)

FCA 255: directs that the family court may order ACS to render such assistance and cooperation as shall be within [its] legal authority

Regulations

18 NYCRR sec.’s 431.9 (d) and 431.14: an agency should not deny or limit visits without obtaining a court order unless the parent consents

18 NYCRR sec. 430.12 (d)(1)(i)(c): [where the goal is reunification], the agency must arrange for visits to occur in a location that assures the privacy, safety and comfort of the family members

18 NYCRR sec.’s 430.12 (d)(1)(i)(a) and (b): agencies must do at least the following to facilitate visits: provide financial assistance; assistance with transportation, and “other assistance necessary”; agency must follow up with the parent when the visit is missed and make efforts to prevent future visits from being missed

18 NYCRR 427.3(c)(2)(v): agencies can be reimbursed from NYSDSS for the cost of transportation for a parent to attend visits; the cost incurred by foster parent in bringing a child to a visit; and other “exceptional transportation” and “extraordinary telephone costs” between a parent and child

Making Your Record: (for instance)

“Is the current plan for this family reunification? And family visiting is part of that plan? Isn’t it true that the greater number of visits, the greater opportunity Crystal and Ms. Smith have to maintain and improve their relationship? How often are visits scheduled now? For how long?”

“Can you describe the room in the agency where visits take place? Do other families share the space during the visit? Where are you during the visit? Is it fair to say that it is typical for you to be outside the room, in close proximity? What are the specific reasons you want to supervise the visit? What do you do when you supervise the visit?”

“Have you asked Crystal or Ms. Smith what they would like to do during their visits? Is there any reason that Ms. Smith could not accompany Crystal to the medical appointment at the agency? When is the next parent /teacher conference ? Could Ms. Smith go? Why or why not?”

“Have you asked Crystal or Ms. Smith about people whom they would like to attend visits with them?”

Sample Orders

“The agency is to ensure that Ms. Campbell is invited to the next case conference and is to report to the court on whether, and to what extent, Ms. Campbell may assist in monitoring some of the visits between Ms. Smith and the child.”

“The agency is to set up a meeting with Ms. Campbell in the next fourteen days to determine what if any steps must be taken to permit Ms. Campbell to host a visit between Ms. Smith and the children; the agency is to report on the adjourn date as to the results of that meeting.”

“The agency is to notify Ms. Smith of the next doctor’s appointment scheduled for the child/next parent teacher conference/school concert so that Ms. Smith may attend.”

“Between now and the adjourn date, the agency has the discretion to increase the frequency and length of the visits and reduce the level of supervision of the visits.”

ACS Visitation Guidelines

Page 2: Case specific decisions concerning a child’s visiting plan should be consistent with the ACS guidelines detailed below. Parent-child contact should be arranged as soon as possible…reasons for and purposes of supervision should be clearly identified.

Page  4: It is expected and recommended that more frequent contact be arranged and facilitated…whenever possible and in the best interests of the child, it is recommended that: visits occur on a weekly basis, visit length be at least two hours; and occur in sites identified by participating parties as comfortable, supportive and convenient…visits should be integrated into the already scheduled activities of children and activities which the parent will be involved with post-reunification.

Page 9: Visiting host and significant others “should be considered resources for the case planner.

Pages 10-14: Making decisions re: level of supervision.

Other Practice Tips

Ask parents to identify activities, events, etc. around which they would like visits scheduled; If the parent can identify one or more people who might be eligible to be a visiting host/sponsor, contact that person and ask them to appear on the adjourn date AND ask that the person be invited to the next appointment or conference on the case;

Remember that every six months, a visiting plan should progress, i.e., less supervision and greater frequency, and if NOT, the reasons must be documented in the case record (Guidelines, p. 7)

Ask for reports on each adjourn date as to the progress of the visiting plan and the specific reasons for any lack of progress; between the 1028 stage and FF, and between FF and disposition, ask for updated case records to be provided to you five days prior to the court date, including any UCR’s.

Reprinted with permission from the Center for Family Representation.“The intellectual property rights of the materials included herein are owned by CFR and are protected by various intellectual property and other laws of the United States, including but not limited to 17 U.S.C. section 101, et. seq. and are being used by name of person or organization with the express written approval of CFR. Additional reproduction or commercial use of these materials is expressly prohibited without the written approval of CFR.”