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SVN StandardsStandards For Supervised Visitation Practice1.0 Introduction1.1 Supervised Visitation Network (SVN)The purposes of the Supervised Visitation Network are as found in the SVN by-laws. 1.2 Purpose of the StandardsThis document establishes minimum practice standards for professional supervised visitation and exchange services. These standards are also intended to serve as a resource to courts, educators, funding sources, and others interested in this field of practice. 1.3 Historical Development of the SVN StandardsIn 1994, SVN adopted a resolution to develop a draft document of Standards and Guidelines to be reviewed and accepted by the SVN general membership. The document was intended to serve as a best practice resource for professionals operating and administering child access/supervised visitation and exchange services. The current revision, effective July 1, 2006, is based on the original SVN Standards and Guidelines document created and approved by the general membership in April 1996. In this revised document, Standards and Guidelines have been separated out. This document sets forth mandatory minimum standards of practice. Best Practice Guidelines will be developed after the general membership approves and ratifies adoption of the Standards of Practice. 1.4 Philosophy of the StandardsConsistent with the mission and values of SVN, the general philosophy of the standards are: 1. Quality and flexibility of serviceThe standards are intended to be broad enough to be applicable to all supervised visitation providers operating and administering services and specific enough to ensure implementation of the core values of SVN. 2. Safety and well-beingThe underlying premise of these standards is that the safety of all participants is a precondition of providing services. After safety, the well-being of the child is the paramount consideration at all stages and particularly in deciding the manner in which supervision is provided. 3. Evolving standardsThe standards will be revised and updated periodically to reflect the evolving practice of supervised visitation services. 1.5 ApplicabilityThe standards apply to SVN members who provide professional supervised visitation and exchange services. Membership in SVN explicitly implies agreement to follow the standards to the extent that they do not conflict with applicable law. 1.6 Adoption and ImplementationThese standards were adopted by vote of the membership in May 2006 but the effective date of implementation is July 1, 2006. SVN members agree to be in full compliance with the standards one year from the effective date of July 1, 2006.
Approved by: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sincere thanks and gratitude to the SVN Standards and Guidelines Committee members for your generosity of time and guidance: Laurie Casey, Family Tree Access Centers, Inc., Ruthland, VT, Nancy Fallows, Executive Director, SVN, Mary Jaffe, West Palm Beach, Florida, Teri Walker McLaughlin, Children's Safety Centers, St. Paul, MN, and Nancy Porter, 30th Judicial District, DV-SA Alliance, Waynesville, NC. Many thanks to the California Administrative Office of the Courts staff members Shelly La Botte and Juan Palomares for their professional assistance and many hours spent on preparation and production of the new standards. Thank you Randy Fallows, SVN Webmaster, ITS, for all your technological support on this project. Finally, the committee would like to acknowledge the following individuals who provided reviews and comments on the revised standards: Karen Oehme, J.D., Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation, Institute for Family Violence Studies in the Florida State University School of Social Work, Jeffrey Postuma, Director of Parenting Programs-Perspectives Family Center, and Margaret Carson, Seattle, Washington. SVN Standards and Guidelines Committee Co-chairs: SVN Board of Directors (Fiscal Years 2004-2006): |