503-888-8955
Clackamas Safe Connection
Supervised Parenting Time for Clackamas County Families
At Clackamas Safe Connection, we strive to provide a friendly and safe space for children and their parents to have supervised parenting time when there has been intimate partner violence.
What is supervised parenting time?
In some situations, based on concerns for protection and safety, a concerned party (such as a social service program, a court, or community corrections) may recommend that a child only have contact with a parent when a neutral third person is present. They may recommend this for many reasons, which may include claims, or a history, of intimate partner violence. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called “supervised parenting time” or “supervised visitation.” The purpose of supervised parenting time is to allow the parent access to their child in a safe environment, continue to support the parent-child relationship, while ensuring that the child and parent who experienced harm are not physically or emotionally harmed.
That's where Clackamas Safe Connection can help!
About this project
Clackamas Safe Connection is supported by Grant # 15JOVW-23-GG-00344-JFFX awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of Justice.
What we do
Clackamas Safe Connection provides a safe space for Clackamas County families to have supervised parenting time when there have been concerns for intimate partner violence. One parent must reside in Clackamas County to receive these services.
Care is taken to increase the safety of the parent and the child(ren) who have experienced harm.
Professional parenting time staff will be within earshot and eyesight during the visit.
Visits are scheduled by appointment only
Saturday or Sunday
Location
Oregon City, OR
Cost
Free
"To every child – I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace and be happy."
Malala Yousafzai
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use Clackamas Safe Connection?
Most parents do use family members or friends to supervise their parenting time, and in many cases that works just fine. When there is a concern that a parent may try to use the visits as a way to get back at the other parent or pressure a child for information, make promises about the future, or possibly try to abduct the child – the other parent may prefer to use Clackamas Safe Connection.
Clackamas Safe Connection is designed to maintain safety and support a connection between a child and their other parent. Supervised parenting time works to ensure a safe environment is maintained for adult survivors and their children. It is a scheduled amount of time for children to safely spend at the center with the parent with whom they don’t live. A trained staff member is always with the children and this parent. The Center also provides safety for all parents fearing contact, manipulation, or abuse from their child’s other parent.
We at Clackamas Safe Connection:
-honor every child’s existing bonds and attachments,
-promote the individual strengths of each family,
-respect the unique and changing needs of each family,
-respect each family’s culture, faith, and rituals, and
-provide a community connection to available resources.
How do I get started?
One parent must reside in Clackamas County to receive this service. While Clackamas Safe Connection does serve families who elect on their own to use the center, frequently families are referred by agencies and other programs in the community (such as social service programs, courts, or community corrections). To begin, the program should receive a registration form for both parents indicating they wish to access services. Parents and children participate in individual orientation appointments with program staff. During the appointment staff get to know the parent and their relationship with the other parent and their children. The center guidelines are explained and possible schedules are proposed for the visits. The registration form can be accessed by clicking here.
Is it safe?
Clackamas Safe Connection is part of a national network of visitation centers created under the Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women, Justice For Families program to serve families impacted by intimate partner abuse. We use procedures, training for staff and security measures that have been proven to result in a safer environment for everyone. These types of supervised parenting time centers have very good safety track records – far better than using family and friends for visits.
Will my information be kept confidential?
All contact information is kept absolutely confidential, and we strive to keep all family matters private. However, we may be subject by orders from the court to provide records. The information we keep about visits is limited and focused on safety.
What do I do now?
If you are interested in our services you can scroll down to send us a message or contact us at:
safeconnection@familyskillbuilders.org
503-888-8955.
Resources
Clackamas Safe Connection is committed to increasing safety for children and their families.
If you or someone you know has experienced violence by their partner and wants help, please reach out to to the service providers through the links below.
