Image

REFERRED BY FRIEND OF THE COURT

This may not be where you expected to be.

Whether you're beginning Supervised Visitation or Reunification Counseling, our job is to keep every step clear, predictable, and safe for your child. Nothing on this page is a surprise you'll find out later.

SECTION 1

Two services. They
work differently.

– NOT REQUIRED –

People often assume these are the same thing, or assume both are therapy. Neither is true, and the difference changes what you should expect in the room.

Supervised Visitation

– NOT REQUIRED –

A parent and child spend time together in a safe, neutral environment with an assigned supervisor present at all times.

OUR ROLE

Observe interactions, support safety, and document each visit. Staff remain neutral and hold to court expectations.

THE SETTING

A structured visitation room where your child can engage freely while boundaries stay in place.

TIME LENGTH

50 minutes, unless the court order specifies otherwise.
 

IT IS NOT

Therapy. It is also not confidential.

Reunification Counseling

– NOT REQUIRED –

A structured process built to help a parent and child reconnect, especially after limited or no recent contact.

OUR ROLE

Work with both parents to rebuild trust, promote communication, and guide next steps with the child's needs first.

THE APPROACH

Guided, intentional, and goal-focused. Not open-ended.
 

COORDINATION

We schedule with both parents and send clear reminders and expectations throughout.

IT IS NOT

A clinical service, an evaluation, or an investigation.

Friend of the Court transparency.

Our staff document each session. Notes and reports go to the Friend of the Court, who distributes them, and they may be included in court proceedings. These services are not confidential and cannot be billed to insurance. We say this up front so it is never a surprise.

If you need help or additional support, please email foc@renewalcenter.org.

SECTION 2

Before your first visit

– NOT REQUIRED –

Five things have to happen in order. Most delays come from step three.

01

Referral accepted

– NOT REQUIRED –

We receive and accept your referral from the Friend of the Court.

02

Portal invitation

– NOT REQUIRED –

You get an email with instructions to create your secure client portal.

03

Forms completed

– NOT REQUIRED –

Every required form is filled out inside the portal. All of them.

04

Initial payment

– NOT REQUIRED –

The first payment is submitted through the portal.

05

Staff schedules you

– NOT REQUIRED –

Our team assigns your first session and confirms the time with you.

We will not schedule a single session until your file is complete.

SECTION 3

The day of your appointment.

– NOT REQUIRED –

Arrival times for Supervised Visitations are staggered on purpose so that the parties never cross paths. Review your service details below.

Supervised Visitation

– NOT REQUIRED –

15 minutes early

The visiting parent arrives and checks in. Not at the appointment time. Fifteen minutes before it.
At the scheduled time
The custodial parent and child arrive. Please do not arrive early, it undoes the staggered timing.
Transition in
A staff member escorts the child to the visitation room so the parties do not make contact.
 
50 minutes
The visit, with your assigned supervisor present the whole time and documenting.
Transition out
The child returns to the custodial parent first. The visiting parent is released 5 to 10 minutes later.

Reunification Counseling

– NOT REQUIRED –
At the scheduled time
Both parties arrive and check in at the front desk. Session fees are due at check-in.
First few minutes
Your assigned staff member explains how the sessions will be structured.
 
first session
We meet with each party individually. Parent and child do not meet together yet, so that everyone can be properly prepared.
FOLLOWING Sessions
Visits continue according to the Friend of the Court's recommendation.
 
REUNIFICATION COMPLETITION 
A report is submitted to the Friend of the Court, who distributes it.

SECTION 4

Inside the room.

– NOT REQUIRED –

Short list, no fine print. 

Not permitted.

Cell phones, photos, and recordings of any kind.
Gifts, unless approved in advance by both the program and the custodial parent. Please do not bring items unless you were told to.
Contact between the parties at drop-off or pick-up. Staff manages every transition.

Expected of you.

Engage with your child in age-appropriate, positive ways.
Handle all parenting duties during the visit: feeding, diaper changes, play, and discipline. That is the visiting parent's responsibility.
Let your child bring what they want. If you are unsure an item is appropriate, ask your caseworker first.

Staff may end a visit early if they believe it is in the child's best interest.

SECTION 4

Payments and cancellations

Court-ordered services are handled differently from counseling. Here is the whole picture.

The One That Costs People Money

Cancel with less than 24 hours' notice and the session is charged in full.
That applies regardless of the court-assigned payment arrangement. If your child is sick, call the office right away. A doctor's note is required to avoid the charge.
Self-pay only
These services are not covered by insurance and cannot be billed to it. They are not clinical services.
Your rate is shared at intake
Staff will give you the applicable service rate during intake, along with when payment is due.
Who pays is set by the court
Payment responsibility is determined by the referral information provided by the Friend of the Court, not by us.
Reunification fees are due at check-in
For Reunification Counseling, bring payment to the front desk at each session.
Missed sessions still cost
Without a doctor's note, the custodial parent is responsible for the missed session fee.

SECTION 6

What you can expect from us

– NOT REQUIRED –

This process can feel uncertain. These four things are ours to hold up.

01

Clear, respectful communication

02

A predictable schedule based on availability and court expectations

03

Safety-focused environments where children come first

04

Ongoing guidance and coordination throughout the process

Once we receive your referral, our team will follow up with you within the timeframe provided by the Friend of the Court. Until then, there is nothing you need to do.

Thank you, truly, for trusting us with your family's journey.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Questions we get every week

– NOT REQUIRED –

Additional forms and policies

– NOT REQUIRED –

Forms

Payment Authorization
Release of Information
Document Submission
Release of Information to Doctor
Insurance Submission
Missed Appointment Appeal

Policies

Treatment Consent
Telehealth Consent
HIPAA Notice