As I promised you last week, I have learned more information now about the Montgomery Supervised Visitation Center for Children. The Center provides services both during business hours and outside business hours. It provides the capability to videotape in four separate rooms to allow interaction without a physical monitor in the room.
The Center will monitor the interaction between parent and child. Under normal circumstances, the parent and child will be able to conduct whatever activities they desire (reading, playing games, talking, etc.). However, if instructed to do so by the court, the Center will terminate the visitation if the guidelines are being violated.
The Center is operated by Laurie L. Mattson, who also uses the name Laurie Mattson Shoemaker. The Center shows its address as 8200 Old Federal Road, Montgomery, AL 36117, and it lists its phone number is 334-273-0177.
The charge for using the center varies depending on when the use occurs. During office hours, the charge is $50 per hour. Outside office hours, it’s $70 per hour. On holidays (not clear from the brochure which holidays), it’s $87.50 per hour. The Center doesn’t have any fixed requirement about which parent pays or whether the parents split the cost in some way.
Mobile also has a visitation center called the Exchange CLub Family Center. This is a non-profit agency with some free visitation available (funding by the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama). Regular fees are $40 per hour. Visit specialists are present with the child at all times whether it be in a playroom, art room or outdoor area. Court orders are usually in place for such arrangements, but not necessary if both parents agree to this arrangements. Non-custodial mothers and fathers are supervised and contact between parents can be avoided if desired. Reports are made to courts when requested; visits are cancelled if behavior is not consistent with guidelines.
Address is 3101 International Drive, Mobile (Just south of Bel Air Mall).
Phone is 251-479-5700. Contact Lydia Pettijohn for more information.
My child and I were ordered to visit at this center and I cannot imagine a more professional
environment (if we have to have supervised visits). Every staff member was very well versed in
how to make all parties comfortable.