A SAFE HAVEN FOR SUPERVISED VISITATION

Harmony House is a safe haven for supervised visitations between parents and children.  Our caring, home-like setting encourages positive family relationships.

What services are offered at Harmony House?

Home-like Setting

Children who come to Harmony House find a house with toys and games, comfortable furnishings, a yard with outdoor activities, and more.  Parents are free to do as they would at home, including use of a fully operational kitchen for dinner or snack preparation.

Supervised Visits

Visits are held in a setting which encourages parents and children to relax and feel comfortable, while strengthening their family relationships. 

Sessions are closely monitored by visitation staff who observe, record activiities and intervene if necessary for the emotional or physical safety of the child.

Supervised Exchanges

This service is for parents who are not required to have supervision, but need to exchange custody of children without interacting with the other parent.  Monitoring is provided by a visitation supervisor.

Who can use Harmony House?

Families may be referred by the court, attorneys, social workers, child welfare workers, CASAs/GALs, clergy or mental health professionals.  Contact Harmony House to discuss the process with the staff.

All scheduling of visitations and exchanges will be done by the staff of Harmony House with input from the parties.  Timing/Scheduling is critical to the service of Harmony House.

How are visits scheduled?

Visits will be scheduled on a first come first served basis.  After the initial visit, regular scheduled times will be arranged.  All scheduling must be done with Harmony House staff.

Times subject to availability of volunteers.  No visitations or exchanges will occur on January 1st, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Who are the visitation staff?

The Visitation staff are volunteers, interns and staff trained to monitor and appropriately intervene during visits.  Their primary concern is the safety and well-being of everyone using Harmony House.  Visitation staff will document every visit.

What does it cost?

Harmony House charges a reasonable fee for service in order to maintain funds to support the operation of the house, while keeping services affordable for visiting families.  Inquire with staff about obtaining cost information.

Use of Harmony House may be appropriate if:

• The parents have had a history of hostile or violent arguments during the pickup and return of the children.
• The visiting parent has a substance abuse and/or mental health problem that gives the Court or custodial parent concern for the child's welfare.
• The visiting parent's living situation is unsuitable for meeting the needs of his/her children.
• Either parent has repeatedly failed to cooperate with visitation arrangements.
• The Court suspects the visiting parent may leave the state with the child; or the children are in custody or care of the Division of Family & Children.

For more information please contact the Program Coordinator -

Cheryl Highsmith - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

219-324-3385