Partnership provides new service

Coffee County Family Services Board of Director Chairman Rick Hollingsworth Jr. outlines the benefits of the new monitored exchange program offered free of charge to participants because of a grant from the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts at a news conference March 8 at the Enterprise Courthouse. From left, are Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge Shannon Clark, Coffee County District Judge Josh Wilson, Twelfth Judicial Circuit Presiding Circuit Judge Jeff Kelley, Hollingsworth and Coffee County Family Services Center Executive Director Judy Crowley. 

Children are the beneficiaries of another partnership between the Coffee County Family Services Center and the judicial system.

“All too often we’re caught in a situation where the children suffer because the parents cannot get along,” said CCFSC Board President Rick Hollingsworth at a news conference held March 8 at the Enterprise Courthouse to announce the new program. “With the implementation of this program, we are now able to make sure all the parents have a hand in raising their children.”

Hollingsworth and CCFSC Executive Director Judy Crowley joined with Twelfth Judicial Circuit Presiding Judge Jeff Kelley to announce the new Monitored Exchange Program that provides an enhanced environment for children to visit a non-custodial parent.

“There are all kind of reasons that the parents can’t get along well enough to exchange their children for supervised visitation or regular visitation,” Crowley explained. “Research shows that children thrive when both parents are involved in their lives. This Monitored Exchanged Program gives every child that chance.”

Monitored exchange refers to supervision of the transfer of the child or children from one parent to the other, Crowley said about the program that is being held at the CCFSC facility on West Brunson Street in Enterprise. “We want all children to have an opportunity to be loved by both parents,” she said about the program that has been in operation for about two weeks. “Even if the parents are not getting along well enough to be involved in their child’s life together, they can do it separately and both parents can have a great relationship with their child.”

The program is designed for parents who can independently and safely parent their children, however, conflict between parents does not allow for a calm and safe exchange of the children or for parents who are court ordered to have no contact with each other, Hollingsworth explained. “The court, any community entity or the parents can request this service. Monitored exchanges are held on Fridays, Sundays and holidays—and by request.”

During the exchange, one parent will park at the back of the CCFSC on West Brunson Street in Enterprise. The other parent will park in the front. Staff will escort the child from one parent to the other, walking the child through the CCFSC.

“All of us judges realize that this is a valuable resource that we did not have but we knew it was available in some other areas of the state,” said Kelley about the program which is funded through a grant from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts which enables the service to be provided free of charge to the participants.”

Those interested in more information can call the CCFSC at (334) 393-8538.

“It’s gone better than we ever could have expected,” Crowley added, flashing her trademark smile. “I expect that the program will gain steam and take off from here so that both parents can have a hand in raising their kids.”

(1) comment

gflowers123

Mrs. Crowley, does have a beautiful smile and personality.

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