It is well known in the early childhood field that attachment formed in the first years of life sets the stage for all future relationships.  Quality time spent with parents and caregivers is critical for learning relational skills and developing self-esteem.  That is why supervised visitation is extremely important as it allows each parent time with their children to establish positive, loving bonds.

Currently, we serve a family via ZOOM.  The children, Ava (2), Jon (6), and mother, Chelsi, are living in Bemidji; and, the father, Zack, is in South Carolina serving in the armed forces.  Through the use of technology, we are able to assist Zack in spending time with his children virtually.  Over the past months, I have seen a lot of growth in Zack’s ability to interact via this media and engage in meaningful interactions with his children.  Ava and Jon look forward to his visits which involve game playing, book reading, conversation, laughter, and many expressions of love.  Dad has told them many times that he’d like to see them every day and how much he misses them. Also, these supervised visits have provided Jon and Ava continuity and stability in forming a caring relationship with their dad.  Thus, when Zack and the children are together in person each month, he is seen as a loved and trusted father and not a stranger.

Another example of how supervised visitation assists in forming positive, stable relationships for our children and their parents involves Claire and her three children Aubrey, Taylor, and Azalea.  Prior to the birth of the children, Claire was a drug addict.  She had gone through numerous treatments but was unable to sustain her sobriety.  Finally, she started to receive methadone to wean her off the drugs.  During this time she became pregnant with her first child, Aubrey.  After her birth, Claire still struggled with her addiction and again became pregnant with her second child, Taylor.  Claire didn’t give up on seeking treatment in order to live drug free and establish loving, caring relationships with her children.  She came to us seeking a chance for exactly that reason on the advice of her social worker.  We did an intake with her and set up times for supervised visitation each week.  Over time she had another child; and, this child became a part of the visits.  Facilitators reported that Claire was a loving mother and interacted positively with her children.  After a year of weekly visits with us, she proved to be capable of caring for and interacting positively with her children.  Claire was able to keep her children at home with her.  Supervised visitation helped to keep her connected to her children in a safe, supportive environment and develop positive parenting skills.  Without it, I don’t believe that she would be in the position she is now living with her children.

One last example of the success of the supervised visitation program is the story of Seth and Kaylee.  Together they have three children:  Zoey (6), Millie (3), and Ellie (2). Neither parent was at that time capable of caring for the children due to drug usage.  When Ellie was born, Kaylee tested positive for methamphetamine and was being treated for depression and anxiety.  The two oldest children were living with Seth’s uncle and girlfriend; and, the youngest was living in Redby with Kaylee’s cousin.  Over time the children were put into foster care and placed in the custody of Beltrami County.  The county social worker suggested supervised visitation in order to establish relationships between the parents and children.  Both parents came to us and started visitation on 6/16/2021.  Since that time there has been no history of any more drug use.  Seth and Kaylee are always on time for their visits.  They have come to have loving, supportive relationships with all their children who know them as mom and dad.  During the visits they converse with the children, play with them on the floor, and color, one of their favorite activities.  They have come so far that sometime soon supervised visitation will not be needed and their family will be reunited with solid relationships already in place because of supervised visitation.