How to become a supervised visitation provider in Louisiana

Louisiana 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 Louisiana law says, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What Louisiana law says about supervised visitation

If a parent committed family violence or domestic abuse, visitation with the abused child must be supervised until the parent completes a court monitored intervention program; that parent pays the costs. (La. R.S. 9:341, 9:362)

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 Louisiana

In family violence cases, the supervisor cannot be a relative, friend, therapist or associate of the parent who committed the violence.
Supervised visits in family violence cases cannot be overnight or in the violent parent's home.
If the abused parent asks, the court may appoint a police officer or other competent professional to supervise.

Reporting child abuse in Louisiana

The professionals listed in article 603 must report. Anyone else may report. (La. Ch.C. arts. 603, 609)

Know how to make a report in Louisiana 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 Louisiana

Louisiana generally lets a person record a conversation they take part in (one party consent). (La. R.S. 15:1303(C)(4))

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 Louisiana

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

Child Support Access and Visitation (Department of Children and Family Services) Mediation and legal help for parents with child support cases in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Orleans parishes.
Law Library of Louisiana: Family resources for self-represented litigants A Louisiana Supreme Court law library guide.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Louisiana

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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.

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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.