Category: Family Court Related

Key Factor #4: Team Approach

By Susan Griffin   When we began our research for program development in 1988, we found that one of the first common concerns expressed by the majority of parents, extended family members and professionals in the community related to the bias of professional monitors. Users of the services experienced the providers as “taking sides.” Sometimes […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

Key Factor #6: Grievance Policy/Procedure

By Susan Griffin   Consumers receiving court-ordered supervised visitation services need access to a process for expressing concerns about their case and the way it is being managed. We have several mechanisms in place for consumer feedback. There is a Senior Supervisor on Saturday and Sunday who is assigned to assist clients with all concerns […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

Key Factor #1: Controlling For Bias

By Susan Griffin California Family Code 3200.5 and California Rules of Court 5.20 establish standards for professional providers of supervised visitation (PPSV). A search engine will readily find both. Consumers in need of these services need to understand the law. One of the requirements of the PPSV is following all aspects of the law. Controlling […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

Key Factor #3: Clear Policies and Procedures

By SUSAN GRIFFIN Since 1988, Hannah’s House has provided forensic support services to families involved in family court cases the San Diego Superior Court. We started very small with just one family. We consulted with professionals in the community from different ares of interest: Legal Mental Health Medical Education Law Enforcement Employee Assistance Non-profit We […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

Key Factor #5: Forensic Record Keeping and Reports

By SUSAN GRIFFIN Forensic science is any scientific field that is applied to the field of law. In the case of supervised visitation at Hannah’s House, the areas of science are social science and behavioral science. Forensic scientists are tasked with the collection, preservation, and analysis of scientific evidence during the course of an investigation […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

CA Family Court Rules

Standard 5.20. Uniform standards of practice for providers of supervised visitation (a) Scope of service This standard defines the standards of practice, including duties and obligations, for providers of supervised visitation under Family Code sections 3200 and 3200.5. Unless specified otherwise, the standards of practice are designed to apply to all providers of supervised visitation, whether the provider […]

Written by on May 4, 2021

Supervised Exchanges: Supporting Families During Breakup, Part II

by SUSAN GRIFFIN, LMFT AND DENNIS WONG, PHD   Supervised exchanges shelter children from unexpected incidents of parental tension and conflict and the results end up positive for everyone: Children can learn, through practice, to go back and forth between their two homes feeling safe and secure and happy, knowing they will not have to […]

Written by on September 26, 2020

Supervised Exchanges: Supporting Families During Breakup, Part I

by SUSAN GRIFFIN, LMFT AND DENNIS WONG, PHD Parental separation or divorce can be devastating to a child’s sense of security about him or herself and the world. Fears abound. “Is it my fault?” “Is there something I can do to make them stay together?” “If they can quit loving each other, will they quit […]

Written by on January 26, 2020

Parents’ Questions about Supervised Visitation

Hannah’s House provides services to diverse families. One type of family we serve involves parents who are going through Family Court and are deeply affected by the breakup of their family. They are often confused and stressed when they receive court orders for supervised visitation or safe exchanges. These court orders are not easily understood […]

Written by on March 10, 2019