The Children’s Rights Council (CRC) operates “family
friendly” access sites called Safe Haven Centers to which
you have been referred. The purpose of the Safe Haven Centers is
to enable children to remain close to both parents regardless of
the family situation or parental conflict. These Centers are operated
in cooperation with the Prince George’s County Circuit Court
and remain neutral in family disputes. These Centers are focused
on your well-being and that of your children for court-ordered access
where safety is the first priority.
The Children’s Rights Council has been selected by the Court
to provide this service to you because CRC firmly advocates the
principle that “The Best Parent is Both Parents®”,
and will help you to act in the best interest of your child(ren)
by extending the opportunity to remain a loving and involved parent.
To promote a rewarding relationship and the continuing welfare of
your child(ren), these rules and guidelines will help you cooperate
in matters that affect your child(ren) – whether you are in
dispute with the other parent or not. CRC can assist you in these
strategies and has monitors trained to observe and enforce these
rules, as well as report to the Court and other authorities as necessary
any violations. It is necessary to review the Safe Haven Center
Rules & Guidelines before your first visit and be prepared to
ask any questions. All parents must agree by their signature to
follow the rules before being allowed to participate in the Safe
Haven Program services.
Each time you arrive at the Safe Haven Program, you are directed
to sign a log of your attendance and be sure to list your child(ren)’s
name. The logs are furnished to the Court upon request, and from
time to time monitors may also be summoned to testify based on their
observation of parental behavior, concerning conformance to rules,
and parental abilities to cooperate with one another for the benefit
of their child(ren).
It is recommended you identify a reliable person to serve as a
designated “go-between” with the other parent in the
event you have an emergency and are unable to visit or make the
scheduled transfer.
On your first visit you should arrive 15 minutes early to process
your Intake documents and procedures, as well as provide an opportunity
for staff to answer your questions, conduct an orientation of the
facility, and
Please review the schedule for the assigned Safe Haven access center.
It details the address, days and hours of operation, and contact
information. Although the Court may assign schedules at its discretion,
you are first urged to contact the CRC staff person listed on the
enclosed Safe Haven Program schedule to arrange for your visitation.
The Safe Haven center operates primarily on weekends.
Children benefit from consistency. Once a schedule has been established,
please ensure you understand the rules and follow your schedule;
it is your responsibility to arrive and depart on time. Sessions
will end at their scheduled time even if one parent is late. You
may not miss a transfer or visitation session without permission
of the Court. CRC does not have authority to excuse absences or
pardon repeated instances of tardiness. The schedule will remain
the same unless changed by an order from the judge.
There are no fees for using the Safe Haven Program. It is however,
your responsibility to provide meals, medicines, and any toys or
gifts to your children when visiting the Center. You are reminded
to be conscious of the other parent’s wishes regarding acceptable
diet and items appropriate to the child(ren).
There are two access programs available to parents: 1) monitored
transfers, and 2) supervised access.
A. Monitored transfers will usually occur on Friday and Sunday
evenings for transfer of the child(ren) between parents. Most
often this occurs with the transferring parent arriving between
7 pm – 8 pm on Friday with the child(ren) to the center.
The receiving parent arrives within approximately 15 minutes of
the scheduled arrival time. Safe, peaceful transfer is made on
the premises under the monitored direction of trained staff. The
process is reversed on Sunday evening between 6 pm – 7 pm
to accommodate return of the child(ren).
B. Supervised access is offered at the Safe Haven Center on Saturdays
in blocks of up to four (4) hours depending on the court order.
Supervised access is determined by the court and restricts parental
access to the on-premise location. There are generally two sessions
available for supervised access. Session 1 is from opening at
9 a.m. to 11 a.m; Session 2 is from 11 a.m. to 1. p.m. closing.
Judges, at their discretion, may designate whether one or both
sessions should be made available to you.
Under no circumstances, may child(ren)
be left at the Safe Haven Center without one parent being present.
Furthermore, parents should not bring others with them, including
a “significant other”. This will help reduce the possibility
of controversy and unpleasantness. If you must bring someone with
you for assistance due to a disability or other reasonable need,
please let the Center Director know in advance. An accompanying
person not approved by the court, may enter the Center but will
not be permitted to visit with the child(ren).
Visiting or waiting in the parking area or in front of the building
is not permitted. Parents involved in child transfers are directed
to enter the building upon arrival and log in their transfer; drop
off or pick up their child(ren) then immediately leave the premises.
Parents are further reminded to coordinate their arrival time to
pick up their child(ren) from the Center immediately after each
supervised access session is concluded and promptly depart the premises.
Please obey all rules and directed interventions by staff or security
personnel. Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. Safe Haven Center
personnel are instructed to notify police after one warning. Rules
violations will also be immediately reported to the Court and other
public protective/social service agencies as necessary. Additionally,
a certified law enforcement or security officer is onsite during
periods of supervised access to ensure the safety of personnel and
compliance with Court directives.
Drugs and/or alcohol are prohibited in all areas of the Safe Haven
Access Center. This includes all spaces within the building, the
parking lot, surrounding green areas, and your personal vehicle
if parked on private property of the premises. If any monitor or
security person suspects such use before or during a visit to the
Access Center, the session will be cancelled and the referring court
and/or agency will be notified. If active use or possession is observed,
police will be immediately contacted.
For parents involved in a supervised access program, an appropriate
Safe Haven Program staff person shall accompany any child(ren) to
the restroom in the instance such child(ren) are too young to go
alone.
There is no smoking allowed on the premises of a Safe Haven Program.
Premises include all private rooms, office spaces, restrooms, and
general areas. Check with the Safe Haven Program supervisor to learn
if smoking maybe permitted in a designated area outside away from
the flow of foot traffic to and from the building.
Parents are not allowed at the Access Center before or after regularly
scheduled “open” hours. Establish a time that you will
arrive at each transfer session and keep with this schedule. Monitors
are available to assist as necessary.
Cameras, tape recorders or video recorders are not permitted in
the Center without prior approval of the Center Director. Photographs
and electronic imaging of your child(ren) are allowed with the consent
of the other parent. Still and video recordings of other children,
parents and staff are prohibited.
Set a good example for your child(ren) as a loving, considerate,
responsible parent; make your comments and behavior toward the other
parent in a courteous manner. Endeavor to help your child(ren) view
the Safe Haven Program in a positive way. Children imitate their
parent’s behavior, including perspectives of transfer and
supervision. Let them know they are there to visit the other parent
or to be transferred in a safe and caring environment.
Parents not under protective orders may speak with the other parent
if both parents wish. Keep the conversation polite and non-controversial.
Arguing or inappropriate comments are not allowed in the presence
of children or staff. Should either parent get “out of control”,
monitors are directed to intervene, and if necessary, initiate security
procedures.
Parents are reminded to consistently arrive on time. Too early
or late arrivals may create additional anxieties for your child(ren).
Additionally, your child(ren) may make new friends at the Center
and look forward to the brief time available to interact with others.
The Court and the Children’s Rights Council want you to have
a pleasant child/parent transfer and access experience. Strive to
be positive and cooperative, and keep the process safe and secure
for your child(ren) and all others participating in the Safe Haven
Program.
Inform the monitor(s) if your child has a special emotional or
physical need. The continued safety, health and wellbeing of all
children are the first priorities.
If there is a protective order in place against another person,
be sure to inform the Center Director or Supervisor, and bring a
copy of the order for your record.
Safe Haven Program personnel are not counselors or attorneys. Monitors
may not discuss the merits of your particular case or give professional
advice. You are also advised to refrain from discussing your case
with other parents. Like you, they are using the center strictly
for the benefit of being with or transferring their child(ren).
With the exception of legal documents, parents may pass messages
and letters at the Access Center and/or exchange items necessary
to make the child’s stay more pleasant and safe with the other
parent by providing such items as medicines, special diet foods,
clothes and/or favorite toys. However, monitors have no authority
to force another parent to accept them.
Clean up after use of your area. Remove all trash and personal
belongings. CRC does not provide storage areas to keep clothing,
toys or other items between visits.
It is a requirement of all parents to state in writing their agreement
to observance all rules and guidelines before being allowed to participate
in the Safe Haven Program.
If you have questions or concerns about the Safe Haven Program,
please discuss them privately with a monitor or the Center Director
at your earliest convenience.
