How to become a supervised visitation provider in Alaska

Alaska law lets courts order supervised visitation, but there is no statewide license for providers. The court order in each case decides who may supervise. This guide covers what Alaska law says, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What Alaska law says about supervised visitation

A parent with a history of perpetrating domestic violence may have only supervised visitation, with conditions such as completing a batterers' intervention program. (AS 25.24.150(j))

Read your court order closely in every case. It can name who may supervise, set conditions, and say who pays.

Key facts for providers in Alaska

Alaska generally limits a parent with a domestic violence history to supervised visitation until they complete a batterers' intervention program.
Alaska's custody statute does not set credentials for visitation supervisors.

Reporting child abuse in Alaska

Listed professionals must report, including health practitioners, school staff, peace officers and child care providers. Anyone else may report. (Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020)

Know how to make a report in Alaska before your first visit, and explain your reporting duty to both parents at intake. Stopping a visit to keep a child safe always comes first.

Recording visits in Alaska

Alaska generally lets a person record a conversation they take part in (one party consent). (Alaska Stat. § 42.20.310)

Many providers don't record visits at all. If you do, get written consent from both parents at intake, and follow the court order.

Where families and referrals come from in Alaska

Most families look for a provider right after a judge orders supervised visits. Family law attorneys, mediators, court self help centers and state funded programs are the people they ask first.

Every state receives a federal Access and Visitation grant for services like supervised visitation, neutral exchanges and parenting plans. Where Alaska's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

Alaska Access and Visitation Program (Alaska Court System) The state contact for Alaska's federally funded access and visitation grant.
Family Law Self-Help Center (Alaska Court System) Free court help for people handling custody, divorce and support cases on their own.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Alaska

Check your county family court's website and self help center for local rules or provider lists.
Complete training in child safety, domestic violence awareness, neutral observation, report writing and ending a visit safely. The Supervised Visitation Network publishes practice standards many providers follow.
Get a background screening and liability insurance. Families, attorneys and some courts expect both even where Alaska law doesn't require them.
Set your rates, service area, visit locations and cancellation policy, and write a services agreement and intake form. Have a Alaska attorney review them.
Introduce yourself to local family law attorneys, mediators and the court's self help center, and ask how to join any provider list.
List your services where families search, so they can see your rates and book you online.

See the founders offer

Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change, and this information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Confirm it with a licensed attorney in your state before you rely on it.