Guardian House can help facilitate the exchange of legal documents.

How to Get Started

• Both parties must contact Guardian House and schedule an intake interview to enroll in our services. Staff will NOT contact the other party to schedule an intake interview.
• All paperwork, required documentation and fees from both parties must be submitted before the enrollment process is considered complete.
• After the enrollment process is complete and before visitation begins, a Child Orientation will be conducted with each child participating in supervised visitation services.
• After the Child Orientation is complete, both parties will be contacted by phone to let them know that the non-custodial party may now begin requesting visits.
• In the event that services do not begin, the intake paperwork will only remain on file for six months. After that, the intake interview and intake fee will have to be completed again to have an active intake, or to start services.

Records

Guardian House uses a third party service to provide copies of client records upon receipt of subpoena. Subpoenas must be hand delivered; faxed or emailed subpoenas will not be accepted. The attorney is responsible for paying fees and coordinating delivery of copies with the third party service. Guardian House is not part of this process.

Upon subpoena, the Custodian of Records will testify or make depositions regarding observations made during visits. For court hearings we request that the Custodian of Records be placed on-call, and be notified 30-40 minutes prior to taking the stand.

Fees for Custodian of Records:

Retainer – $750
Preparation & Coordination – $75
On call – $200/day
Court appearance – $100/hour (includes travel time)

A charge of 35% will be added to the total amount if payment is made with less than three business days prior to the appearance of the Custodian of Records.

We provide therapy to all ages, from small children to older adults, as well as individuals, couples, and families.

We understand that all people struggle at times and our caring and professional staff can help.

From coping with life transitions to dealing with tragedy and addiction, we give our clients the tools to make positive life-long changes.

• Psychological and emotional issues
• Parent facilitation
• Cooperative parenting
• Reunification
• Parent training
• Anger management
• Stress management

Our therapeutic environment ensures children aren’t exposed to negative or violent interactions and can express genuine responses to both parents without “guilt.” Often, when there is a history of conflict, children don’t want to show happiness at seeing one parent for fear they will “hurt” the other parent.

It is during this temporary, transitional, and traumatic time that families are most in need of the services provided by Guardian House.

Guardian House also facilitates a five-week Parenting Together group at off-site locations upon request. Contact us for more information and scheduling.

This class is a requirement for participants enrolled in the Domestic Relations Office’s (DRO) Shared Parenting program. Although the custodial parent and non-custodial parent take classes at separate times, they discuss the same topics throughout the group. Interested parents should contact the DRO for more information.

Each child is as unique as the challenges we face in parenting them. Guardian House recognizes the struggles that most parents face and is focused on providing support and understanding for all individuals who care for a child.

Attending parenting education classes does not mean that you are a terrible parent or that you can’t learn and grow in your parenting skills. Just the opposite is true! By enrolling in a parenting education class demonstrates that you highly value your children and are committed to strengthening the family bond that you have with them. We know that parent education promotes well-being and builds stronger families and communities.

This class is a requirement for participants enrolled in the Domestic Relations Office’s (DRO) Shared Parenting program. Although the custodial parent and non-custodial parent take classes at separate times, they discuss the same topics throughout the group. Interested parents should contact the DRO for more information.

A supervisor will be present at all times during the interaction between the parent and child(ren). The supervisor documents observed interactions and conversations during the visit; however, they do not record opinions or make recommendations. The supervisor is responsible to intervene and re-direct the non-custodial parent if policies are not being followed.

The role of the supervisor is also to help facilitate, as needed, interaction and connections between the parent and child. Additionally, the supervisor can assist with parenting questions, like how to discipline with time-outs and how to change a diaper. Parents are encouraged to take our free Parenting Education class and can put to practice what they are learning during visitation.

We understand that being supervised during visitation may feel uncomfortable at first, but parents and children typically adjust quickly to the situation.

We will need to review your court order to start the process for monitored exchanges or supervised visits.

Please email your court order to [email protected] and include your name and phone number.

A staff member from the Intake Department will contact you to schedule an intake appointment within 48 hours.

We have ongoing volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals. For one-time group projects there are a number of ways volunteers can make a tremendous impact on our organization and the families we serve, such as assisting at special events, light yard work, painting, and sanitizing toys. Our on-going volunteer opportunities vary from working directly with clients to much needed staff support.

To send us your information for volunteer opportunities, please visit our careers page.