Services
We support families navigating visitation and court processes for medically complicated children, helping them participate safely and confidently while coordinating with foster parents and care providers.
Family Time Visitation
SUPERVISED VISITATION
Supervised family visitation is a type of visitation in which a child spends time with a parent or family member while another approved adult is present to monitor the interaction. The purpose of supervision is to ensure the safety, emotional wellbeing, and best interests of the child during the visit. The supervising individual may be a trained professional at a visitation center, a social worker, therapist, or, in some cases, a court-approved relative or trusted adult.
This type of visitation is commonly used when there are concerns related to a child’s physical or emotional safety, mental health or substance-use issues, domestic conflict, high-conflict custody situations, or during reunification after a period of separation. Visits are usually scheduled for a set period of time and may include structured or semi-structured activities such as playing games, talking, sharing a meal, or completing schoolwork. The supervisor observes the visit and may intervene if boundaries, behavior, or safety concerns arise, and written observations or reports may be required when visits are court-ordered.
Supervised visitation is intended to protect the child while supporting healthy family relationships and rebuilding trust and stability. It does not automatically indicate that a parent or family member is unfit and is often a temporary arrangement that is reviewed regularly. In many cases, supervised visitation serves as a step toward less restrictive visitation when circumstances improve and it is determined to be safe to do so.
MONITORED VISITATION
Monitored visitation is a form of family visitation in which a child spends time with a parent or family member with oversight, but the supervision is less direct and less intrusive than in supervised visitation. A monitor is present to observe and ensure general safety, but they typically do not remain in the room for the entire visit or actively intervene unless a concern arises.
Monitored visitation is often used when there are mild or moderate concerns—such as ongoing family conflict, communication issues, or a need to document interactions—rather than immediate safety risks. Visits usually occur at a designated location, such as a visitation center, agency, or agreed-upon community setting. The monitor may check in periodically, remain nearby, or observe from a distance, and may document attendance, behavior, and overall appropriateness of the interaction.
The goal of monitored visitation is to provide accountability and reassurance while allowing the parent-child relationship to function more naturally. Like supervised visitation, it is typically temporary and may serve as a transition toward unsupervised visitation if visits remain appropriate and concerns are resolved.
UNSUPERVISED VISITATION
Unsupervised visitation is a type of visitation in which a child spends time with a parent or family member without another adult present to monitor or oversee the visit. The visiting adult has full responsibility for the child during that time, and visits can take place in the home or community, such as at parks, restaurants, or other everyday settings.
Unsupervised visitation is typically permitted when there are no significant safety concerns and the parent or family member has demonstrated the ability to provide appropriate care, supervision, and emotional support. These visits may follow a set schedule established by a court, custody agreement, or child welfare plan and can range from short visits to extended time, including overnights. The goal of unsupervised visitation is to support normal family relationships, promote stability and bonding, and allow the parent-child relationship to function independently while maintaining the child’s safety and well being.
SIBLING VISITATION
Supervised sibling visitation is a type of visitation in which brothers and sisters spend time together while an approved adult is present to oversee the visit. The purpose of supervision is to ensure the safety, emotional well being, and appropriate interaction of all children involved. This arrangement is typically used when siblings do not live together and there are concerns that require added structure or oversight during visits.
Supervised sibling visitation is often ordered in child welfare, foster care, or family court cases when there are safety concerns, complex family dynamics, behavioral challenges, or a history of conflict or trauma between siblings. Visits usually occur at a designated location, such as a visitation center, agency, or therapeutic setting, and may include planned activities to support positive interaction. The supervising adult observes the visit, may intervene if needed, and may document the visit for court or agency review. The goal is to maintain and strengthen sibling bonds in a safe, supportive environment, and in many cases, supervised sibling visitation is intended to be temporary and reviewed as circumstances improve.
Family Law Visitation
Family law visitation refers to the legal right of a parent or, in some cases, another family member to spend time with a child when the child does not live with them full-time. It is governed by family court and is designed to protect the child’s best interests while supporting ongoing family relationships after separation, divorce, or other custody-related situations
Visitation in family law is typically outlined in a court order or parenting plan and may include specific schedules, locations, conditions, and expectations. Depending on the circumstances, visitation can take different forms, such as unsupervised, supervised, or monitored visitation, and may include daytime visits, weekends, holidays, and overnight stays. Courts consider factors such as the child’s safety, emotional and developmental needs, the parents’ ability to cooperate, and any history of conflict, abuse, or mental health concerns when determining visitation arrangements.
The primary purpose of family law visitation is to ensure the child maintains meaningful relationships with both parents (or other approved family members) while prioritizing safety, stability, and well being. Visitation orders can be modified over time if circumstances change, and failure to follow a visitation order can result in legal consequences.
Pricing is based on different criteria, number of children, and court documentation filing fees. Contact us for more information.
Combined In-Home Services
In the Washington State child welfare system, Combined In‑Home Services (CIHS) refers to a suite of state‑contracted, in‑home family support and therapeutic services provided by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to families who are involved with child welfare. These services are delivered in the family’s home or a community setting and are designed to help caregivers build parenting skills, improve family functioning, address safety concerns, and support children’s well being so that children can stay safely at home or reunify with their families rather than enter or remain in out‑of‑home care.
The array of services under CIHS includes evidence‑based and family‑focused programs such as Family Preservation Services, Project SafeCare, Promoting First Relationships, Incredible Years, and Positive Parenting Program. These programs may involve counseling, parent coaching, skill building, and connections to community supports to address issues like attachment, behavior management, crisis stabilization, and family conflict.
Overall, CIHS helps families strengthen parenting capacity, enhance child safety, and prevent the need for foster care or support reunification when children are temporarily removed.
INCREDIBLE YEARS
The Incredible Years curriculum is an evidence-based series of programs designed to promote children’s social, emotional, and academic development while reducing challenging behaviors. It focuses on strengthening relationships between children, parents, teachers, and caregivers through positive interaction, clear expectations, and consistent support. The curriculum is widely used in schools, mental health settings, and community programs, particularly for young children who may be experiencing behavioral, emotional, or social difficulties.
The program includes distinct but coordinated components for parents, teachers, and children, allowing adults and children to learn complementary skills. Parent programs emphasize positive parenting strategies such as building nurturing relationships, using praise and encouragement, setting consistent limits, and responding calmly to misbehavior. Teacher programs focus on classroom management, social-emotional learning, and proactive behavior support. Child programs, often delivered in small groups, teach skills such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, friendship skills, empathy, and anger management.
Instruction is highly interactive and practical, using video modeling, role-play, group discussion, and real-life practice rather than lecture-based teaching. The curriculum is structured but flexible, allowing facilitators to adapt it to the child’s developmental level and specific needs. Overall, the Incredible Years curriculum aims to prevent and reduce behavior problems, support mental health, improve school readiness, and build long-term resilience by fostering consistent, supportive environments across home and school.
FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES
Preservation Services, more commonly known as family preservation services, refers to programs designed to support families who are experiencing serious challenges but want to remain together safely. These services are typically provided through child welfare agencies or contracted community organizations and focus on preventing children from being removed from their homes due to concerns such as abuse, neglect, family conflict, or instability. The primary goal is to strengthen the family unit by improving parenting skills, communication, problem-solving abilities, and overall household functioning while ensuring the safety and well-being of the children.
These services are often short-term and intensive, with professionals such as counselors, case managers, or social workers working directly with families in their homes or communities. Support may include crisis intervention, parenting education, behavior management strategies, budgeting assistance, connection to housing or community resources, and coordination of additional services such as therapy or substance abuse treatment. Family preservation services may also be used to help reunify families when children have already been placed outside the home. Overall, the purpose of preservation family services is to provide structured support that promotes safety, stability, and long-term family success while avoiding unnecessary foster care placement whenever possible.
PROMOTING FIRST RELATIONSHIPS
Promoting First Relationships (PFR) for DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and Families) is an evidence-based, relationship-focused intervention designed to strengthen the bond between young children and their caregivers, particularly in families involved with the child welfare system. The program supports infants and toddlers by helping caregivers better understand their child’s social-emotional needs, cues, and behaviors. Through structured home visits, trained providers use video feedback and reflective coaching to highlight positive interactions and guide caregivers in responding sensitively and consistently. Promoting First Relationships focuses on building secure attachments, increasing caregiver confidence, and improving early developmental outcomes. The overall goal is to enhance caregiver-child relationships, promote healthy emotional development, and support long-term stability and well-being for children and families served by DCYF.
POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM
The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) for DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and Families) is an evidence-based parenting support program designed to strengthen parenting skills, improve child behavior, and promote safe, stable family environments.
Triple P provides practical strategies that help caregivers build positive relationships with their children, set clear expectations, manage challenging behaviors effectively, and respond calmly and consistently.
The program is offered at varying levels of intensity to meet the unique needs of families, ranging from brief consultations to more structured, individualized support. Through education, coaching, and skill-building, the Positive Parenting Program aims to reduce the risk of child maltreatment, enhance parental confidence, and support healthy child development while helping families remain safely together.
PROJECT SAFECARE
Project SafeCare for DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and Families) is an evidence-based, in-home parenting support program designed to improve child safety and prevent child abuse and neglect. The program works with families involved with or at risk of involvement with child welfare services by providing structured, hands-on coaching in three primary areas: parent-child interaction, home safety, and child health care.
UNITE’S trained providers meet with families in their homes to model skills, observe parent practice, and offer supportive feedback to help caregivers build confidence and competence.
Project SafeCare focuses on practical skill development, such as supervising children safely, reducing household hazards, responding appropriately to child behavior, and recognizing and addressing health concerns.
The overall goal is to strengthen parenting abilities, enhance child well-being, and reduce the likelihood of future maltreatment while helping families remain safely together.
Housing
This transitional housing opportunity is designed to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment for mothers who have successfully completed recovery and have been reunited with their child or children. Located within a well-maintained triplex, the program blends independent living with intentional community support. A dedicated couple resides in a private mother-in-law suite attached to one of the units and oversees the program, providing mentorship, accountability, and consistent guidance to residents.
Two of the apartments are three-bedroom units that operate under a shared living model approach. Each bedroom is rented individually, while residents share a common kitchen, bathroom, and living room space. This model encourages peer support, shared responsibility, and a strong sense of community among mothers who are continuing their recovery journey while parenting.
The third unit is a private one-bedroom, one-bath apartment that shares a common laundry space with one of the three-bedroom units, maintaining both connection and privacy within the overall setting. Families may remain in the program for up to two years, allowing mothers the time needed to strengthen sobriety, rebuild parenting confidence, secure employment, and transition successfully into long-term stable housing.