How to become a supervised visitation provider in Texas

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

What Texas law says about supervised visitation

A court may allow access by a parent with a history of family violence only with protections, such as access continuously supervised by an entity or person the court chooses. (Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(d-1))

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 Texas

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

OAG Access and Visitation provider directory and registration Providers can submit their program details to the Attorney General.
Texas judges may order a parent's access continuously supervised by an entity or person the court chooses.
Providers can submit program details to the Texas Attorney General through an access and visitation provider form.
Texas law allows counties to set up visitation centers or exchange facilities.

Reporting child abuse in Texas

Everyone must report suspected abuse or neglect immediately; professionals have a stricter deadline. (Tex. Fam. Code § 261.101)

Know how to make a report in Texas 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 Texas

Texas generally lets a person record a conversation they take part in (one party consent). (Tex. Penal Code § 16.02(c)(4); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 123)

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 Texas

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

Texas Access and Visitation Program (Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division) Local providers offer coparenting education, mediation, parenting plans, supervised visitation and neutral exchange, with a searchable directory.
Texas Court Help Family law guide and resources on custody, visitation and support.
Harris County Family Courts guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.
Dallas County Family Courts guide Courthouses, self help, court programs and forms.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Texas

Read the Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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.