Organizational Description
The mission of the YMCA of Topeka, Inc. is to support the physical, mental, and spiritual well being of individuals through value based services in order to improve and strengthen the quality of life. The YMCA offered Safe Visit its' beginning in January 1997 and continues to serve as the parent agency. Through a collaborative effort with Seaman Congregational Church, Safe Visit was able to expand to its' current location in July 1999. Safe Visit is a community service designed to prevent violence and protect children from being victims of/or witness to domestic violence/criminal behavior/chemical dependency. Services are available to nurture people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Safe Visit is the first and oldest program in Kansas offering safe, neutral supervised visitation/exchange services. Safe Visit is a member of the National Supervised Visitation Network and the Kansas Network for Visitation Centers. The Administration serves as President of the Network and acts as a consultant and mentor to programs locally and nationwide developing "best practice" policies, and promoting public advocacy.

Project Summary
Families referred to Safe Visit need a safe neutral environment so that parental contact may be implemented or sustained. Clientele who utilize the Safe Visit program do so because parties are unable to follow general rules of families, society and the court. The program structure encourages parents to develop co-parenting skills, understand the benefits of nonviolent discipline, and identify healthy patterns of parent/child contact.

Local statistics complied by the Topeka Police Dept and the Shawnee County Sheriff indicate that officers responded to over 7,000 calls for domestic violence in 2004. In addition, the Topeka Battered Women's Task Force filed over 1,100 Protection from Abuse Orders. It is estimated nationally that millions of children each year witness violence and become subject to the varied short-and-long term effects. In Shawnee County for 2004, parents filed 612 motions to enforce or modify parenting time. In 2004, Safe Visit provided direct service through over 1500 visits/exchanges to 138 children, or 92 family units. Staff also assisted 281 individuals interested in obtaining services.

In order to protect children and prevent violence, it is essential that communities provide services to break the cycle of abuse and support the connection between healthy parents and healthy kids. There is a pervasive myth that parents who "don't get along" can just meet at McDonalds to exchange their children. However, inadequate band-aid approaches are not an effective means of protecting children.

National statistics reveal that 70% of children are abused in homes where violence is also used against the caretaker. In addition, statistics indicate that children from violent homes are at a higher risk for becoming adult victims or adult offenders. Society must pay attention to the traumatic effects that domestic violence has on children. Abuse is detrimental to children even if they are not the direct subjects of the abuse or negative behavior. Funding is needed to ensure SAFE contact can continue in 2005.

Target populations & the Desired impact of the Safe Visit Program:
Safe Visit is committed to preserving families and creating a sense of normalcy for children. The program provides services to foster safe, healthy parent/child contact. Quality professional service prevents tragedies.

A. Children, ages 0-18, who need a safe neutral location in order to have positive, consistent contact with their parent or non-custodial family member, with age appropriate activities in a structured environment.

B. Parents, Grandparents/Guardians who enter into the program due to:

1) referrals as a means of establishing or re-establishing a parent /child relationship.
2) allegations or confirmations of abuse/ neglect, confirmation of drug or alcohol use, flight risk, a history or charges pending of violence or criminal prosecution.
3) a history of domestic conflict or accusations of wrongdoing.
4) inability of parties to minimize the negative communication and interaction imposed on the minor children.

Each year about _ of all marriages in America end in divorce leaving many children in a disrupted family unit. Despite the complications of blended families, and single parent families, both parents need to play an active, positive role in their children's lives. As studied by OJJDP, in 1995, the most important factor in promoting resilience to high-risk youth was to establish mechanisms that support positive parent-child relationships and decrease family conflict. As identified by Search Institute, the healthy development of children is linked to acquiring internal and external assets that primarily promote positive values and a positive identity. As stressed by researchers at John Hopkins School of Medicine, children need consistency in rules and schedules.

Safe Visit is a structured atmosphere where children can be safe, and have continuity in parental contact. Data has shown that effective service depends on the competency of staff. The key elements to ensuring client satisfaction and avoiding manipulative forms of communication are realized by enforcing detailed policies. Studies conducted by Family Court Review in 2001, found in just "6 short months, parents involved with professionally staffed programs can benefit from the mandated changes provided by the program structure, education, modeling, and can increase levels of positive co-parenting while decreasing child misbehaviors."

Safe Visit staff members and Security personnel are committed to having the skills necessary to intervene with the maximum impact available for effective resolution within a secure, child friendly facility. Safe Visit encourages parents to develop positive parenting skills, understand the benefits of non-violent discipline, and implement healthy patterns of parent/child contact.

Sponsor Benefits
Safe Visit needs your help. Statistics are clear ­we can make a difference in the lives of children if we act. By supporting Safe Visit, corporations would be:

Currently, there are 15 visitation/exchange centers in Kansas. Funding is needed to ensure service access will be available to all families as a resource for implementing or sustaining parental contact. Safe Visit provides scholarship assistance to clientele who qualify; often families most at risk to adversity and crisis, the working poor. YTD scholarship assistance is over $3,000-as over 70% of all individuals needing service qualify for some level of fee subsidy.

Unquestionably, communities must have resources available to enhance well being, and provide stability. As stated in the 1998 Survey by the National Committee to prevent Child Abuse, parents view their community as the most important child rearing resource. Therefore, it is imperative that services are available that can reduce the potential for public disputes as well as the need for local law enforcement to intervene in domestic conflicts due to child custody issues or Protection from Abuse violations.

Volunteers Opportunities
Safe Visit partners with Washburn University for the placement of student interns. One student is assigned to work from August to May for 480 hours of college credit. Safe Visit web page was totally updated Spring 2005 by a volunteer putting in over 15 hours of time to ensure a professional and informative presentation.