Posted: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 10:52 pm
By LARISSA GRAHAM/The Lufkin Daily News | 0 comments
For parents affected by the closure of the Xchange Place, which stopped facilitating supervised visitation and dropoffs on March 15 due to lack of funding, the Family Network of East Texas in Nacogdoches is prepared to help. The Family Network has offered supervised visitation and dropoffs since January 2008, in addition to parenting classes and premarital workshops.
According to Theresa Caldwell, director of the Family Network, the facility has seen an increase of people using their services since the Xchange Place closed its doors.
“Clients have called in direct regards to the closing of the Xchange Place,” Caldwell said.
The Family Network is equipped to handle the increase in volume, Caldwell said. While staff attempt to have one visitation at a time, the layout of the facility is such that it can accommodate more than one.
Family Network staff undergo numerous checks and training to ensure they are prepared to manage any situations that could arise between separated or divorced parents. Most, Caldwell said, have degrees in child and family studies or are currently working to get a degree in the same field.
“We make sure we have people who are qualified and background checked so we know exactly who we have working with our children,” Caldwell said.
Each visit and dropoff is monitored in order to provide a safe, controlled environment that allows both parent and child to strengthen or build their relationship.
“Any time you can allow a parent and a child to maintain a relationship,” Caldwell said, “that not only strengthens that parent, but it most definitely also strengthens that child as well.”
There are various activities for each age level, from a kitchen play set to a pool table for older children. Couches and a dining room are set up for reading time or snacks, and an upstairs area allows more than one parental visitation at a time.
The main focus, Caldwell said, is ensuring that each child has an enjoyable — and comfortable — visit.
“I think that we have a variety of things that would accommodate each and every age,” Caldwell said. “I have to say that the children that use our program now are comfortable when they come in and just as comfortable when they leave.”
The Family Network is a for-profit organization, unlike the nonprofit Xchange Place. Clients are charged on a sliding scale that is based on their income.
“I encourage everyone to contact us regardless of the service we provide,” Caldwell said. “We have yet to turn away anyone because of a lack of ability to pay.”
Larissa Graham’s e-mail address is lgraham@lufkindailynews.com.
