What is Supervised Community Visitation?

Families can be referred by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties for this service, which allows families to visit in natural settings. Families can also be self-referred with a court order. Completing visits in natural settings – in community areas such as parks, playgrounds, stores, restaurants, and more – promotes more realistic interactions between parents and children and allows parents to practice parenting and behavior management skills, which will, in turn, help DSS and the court to gauge better the parents’ readiness for unsupervised visits and reunification.

Referral Process
Families can be referred through their local Department of Social Services or self-referral with a court order. Once referred, PRC works with the family and the foster family/custodial parent to coordinate visit dates, times, and locations.

Where and When Can Visits be Scheduled? 

• Visits take place in community locations, such as the library, the park, stores, restaurants, and more.
• Visits take place during weekdays, Monday- Thursday, 1- 2 hrs each.
• Visits can take place on a set day each week or can change from week to week depending on the needs of the families.