Onboarding

Step 1: Submit a Family Referral Form

The supervising agency (an attorney, judge, or DFCS supervisor) should contact Starting Over to discuss the case and arrange a visitation schedule. After this, a Family Referral Form should be completed by the supervisor and submitted to Starting Over. The visitations cannot begin until this information is received by Starting Over.

Step 2: Complete a Custodial Parent/Guardian Form

The custodial parent/guardian must complete a Custodial Parent Information Form. Note that this form may be completed at the first visit or submitted via email ahead of time. If the Custodial parent/guardian is not present for the first visit (e.g. a transporter is bringing the child), please ensure that the necessary information can be provided.

Step 3: Complete a Non-Custodial Parent From

The non-custodial parent (the parent who is visiting with the child) must complete a Non-Custodial Parent Information Form. This form may be completed at the first visit or submitted via email ahead of time.

Step 4: Visitation Day Documentation

Each visit is monitored by a volunteer supervisor who watches and listens to the interaction between the children and parent(s) and documents the visit.  A written report is submitted to DFCS after each visit. For non-DFCS affiliated visits, reports are retained and may be submitted to attorneys as necessary. The report indicates the parent’s timeliness and the visitation supervisor’s assessment of the parent/child interaction. Copies of the reports are not given to custodial or non-custodial parents.

Additional information about a visit is found on the Visitation Guidelines page.