How to become a supervised visitation provider in Oregon

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

What Oregon law says about supervised visitation

A court that gives an abusive parent parenting time must protect the child and petitioner, for example by requiring supervision by another person or agency. (ORS 107.718(6))

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 Oregon

Oregon courts can order an abusive parent's parenting time supervised by another person or an agency.
Oregon mandatory reporters must report personally; an employer's internal policy does not satisfy the duty.

Reporting child abuse in Oregon

Listed public or private officials must report immediately. It is not a duty for everyone. (ORS 419B.005, 419B.010)

Know how to make a report in Oregon 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 Oregon

Oregon's rules on recording conversations have limits and exceptions. (One party consent for telephone and radio communications; everyone must be specifically informed before an in person conversation is recorded (ORS 165.540).)

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 Oregon

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

Oregon Access and Visitation Program (Oregon Department of Justice, Division of Child Support) Funds mediation and parenting plan development.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Oregon

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 Oregon 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 Oregon 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.