How to become a supervised visitation provider in California

California has published rules or programs that shape who supervises visits and how. This guide covers what California law says, the standards that apply, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What California law says about supervised visitation

Sets minimum qualifications for nonprofessional and professional supervised visitation providers, and directs the Judicial Council to set statewide standards. (Cal. Fam. Code §§ 3200, 3200.5)

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

Standards and requirements for providers in California

These published sources set or describe requirements for supervised visitation in California:

Standard 5.20, California Standards of Judicial Administration Uniform standards of practice for supervised visitation providers: qualifications, training, records and reporting.
Supervised Visitation Services in California (Judicial Council) Overview of provider types, training and form FL-324.
Professional providers must be at least 21 and complete 24 hours of training, including 12 classroom hours, before supervising.
Professional providers must complete a Live Scan background check and, since January 1, 2021, register with TrustLine.
Professional providers file form FL-324(P), the Declaration of Supervised Visitation Provider, in each case.

Reporting child abuse in California

Mandated reporters are specific listed professions and roles, not every person. (Cal. Penal Code § 11165.7)

Know how to make a report in California 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 California

California generally requires everyone's consent to record a private conversation. (Cal. Penal Code §§ 632, 637.2; the rule covers confidential communications)

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 California

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 California's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

Access to Visitation Grant Program (Judicial Council of California) Federal funds that superior courts use to contract with nonprofits for supervised visitation and exchange, parent education and group counseling.
California Courts Self-Help: Supervised visitation The courts' own guide to the rules for professional providers and form FL-324(P).
Los Angeles Superior Court guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.
San Diego Superior Court guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.
Orange County Superior Court guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.
Riverside Superior Court guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in California

Read the California standards listed above and meet any training or screening they require.
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 California 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 California 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.