Access to Visitation Grant Program / Supervised Visitation

Access to Visitation (AV) Grant Program

The AV Grant Program is a federally funded program that provides no-cost professional supervised visitation services to eligible low-income families referred by Family Court. The program supports the Court’s mission to promote family stability while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of children.

Eligibility and Court Order Required

*   Access to AV Grant services requires a Family Court order for supervised visitation and confirmation of program eligibility.

*   Provides services for noncustodial biological parents — parents who do not live in the same household as their children.

*   Custodial parents, grandparents, distant relatives, or other non-parent family members are not eligible for services.

*   Serves low-income separated, separating, divorced, or unmarried parents and their children who are involved in custody and visitation proceedings.

Service Limitations

*   The grant can support a maximum of two hours of professional supervised visitation per family per week.

AV Grant Program Goals

The program is designed to remove barriers that may prevent noncustodial parents from maintaining contact with their children and to promote safe, healthy parent-child relationships by:

  • Improving compliance with court orders;
  • Increasing the likelihood of financial support through improved parental involvement;
  • Facilitating safe contact between children and noncustodial parents; and
  • Providing opportunities for continued, safe, and structured contact through supervised visitation.

AV Grant Program Services

In Orange County, two contracted community-based organizations provide AV Grant-funded professional supervised visitation. Providers determine eligibility and enrollment, and services depend on available funding and capacity. Trained staff provide services in accordance with California Standard 5.20.

Supervised Visitation

Supervised visitation, pursuant to Family Code sections 3200 and 3200.5↗, is contact between a noncustodial party and child in the presence of a neutral third person. The Court may order supervised visitation to protect a child’s safety and well-being during contact with a noncustodial parent. Reasons may include:

  • Concerns about the child’s safety or risk of harm
  • Domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect
  • Parental substance abuse
  • Parental mental health concerns affecting the child’s well-being
  • Reestablishing contact after a prolonged separation
  • Parental conflict that may negatively affect the child

Supervised Visitation Types & Providers

The Court may order supervised visitation by either a professional provider or a non-professional provider, such as a family member or friend. Supervised visitation allows children to maintain or build a relationship with their noncustodial parent in a safe, supportive environment. Monitors are responsible for ensuring all interactions remain appropriate and focused on the child’s best interests. The CA Court Self-Help Guide to Supervised Visitation explains each provider type, including qualifications, responsibilities, and factors families should consider.