Supervised parenting time is visits between the non-custodial parent and child(ren), in the presence of a professional facilitator who will encourage positive interaction between the parent and child(ren). Care is taken to ensure safety of parents and the child(ren) at all times. The facilitator remains within earshot and sight of the parent and child(ren) during the visit. Supervised parenting time may be ordered by a court or other agency or just agreed upon by the parents.

Supervised exchanges are exchanges of children between custodial & non-custodial parents. Exchanges take place at Mary’s Place in downtown Bend. The same care is taken during an exchange as is during a visit. Parents do not see or hear each other while making the exchange of the child(ren). Supervised exchanges may be ordered by a court or other agency, or just agreed upon by both parents.

In some cases when parents are splitting up there has been violence, threats of violence, or emotional abuse. Mary’s Place strives to increase safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, dating violence and/or stalking and to prevent violence or harm from occurring during parent/child visits and child exchanges.

The non-custodial parent arrives and is greeted by a facilitator to discuss the plans for the visit – food, toys, games, activities, etc. When the custodial parent arrives, another facilitator meets that parent and child(ren) and escorts the children to the daycare center where the non-custodial parent is waiting. Arrival and departure times for each parent may be staggered; separate parking lots, entrances, and waiting areas are used by each parent so that they do not have contact. Both parents have time to discuss any safety needs, scheduling, and parenting questions with their facilitator.

One parent arrives with the child(ren) and waits until the other parent arrives to collect the children. Arrival and departure times for each parent may be staggered; separate parking lots, entrances, and waiting areas are used by each parent so that they do not have contact. Facilitators escort the children from one parent to the other. Both parents have time to discuss any safety needs, scheduling, and parenting questions with their facilitator.

Each parent sets up their own orientation appointment. During the appointment we 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/exchanges. While Mary’s Place does serve families who elect on their own to use the center, most families are referred by the court. Please call 541-322-7460 to schedule an appointment.

Mary’s Place charges no fees for services.

• Mondays: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

• Thursday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

• Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

• Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

• Sunday: 12:00pm - 7:30pm

Intake appointments are mainly offered during the week during regular business hours but can also be arranged on evenings or weekends.

Most parents do use family members or friends to supervise their visits or exchanges, and in many cases that works just fine for everyone. When there is a concern that a parent may try to use the exchanges or visits as a time to get back at the other parent, pump the child for information, make promises about the future, or possibly try to abduct the child – the other parent may prefer to use Mary’s Place since we are trained to ensure that these events don’t happen.

Mary’s Place is part of a national network of visitation centers created under the Department of Justice program (Safe Havens) to serve families impacted by domestic violence. 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 visitation centers have very good safety track records – far better than using McDonald’s or family and friends for visits or exchange.

All contact information is kept absolutely confidential, and we strive to keep all family matters private. However, we may be subject to orders by the court to provide records. The information we keep about visits or exchanges are arrival and departure times and if a guideline or policy was broken and staff needed to intervene.