The Visitation Exchange Centers
The Visitation Exchange Center program, offered by the Family Violence Coordinating Councils in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois, the 20th Judicial Court and 3rd Judicial Court, and administered by the Children First Foundation, serves families experiencing exceptional difficulty in the transfer of children for the purpose of visitation. These difficulties often result in exposing the children to adult conflicts (including verbal abuse, threats of violence and violence). All participants are referred by the Court and must have a court order specifying their participation. Upon referral, each participant must make an appointment for an orientation class. When orientations are completed, exchanges will begin. The phone number for scheduling orientations is 618-235-6192 (9am-4pm) in St. Clair County. Ask for Sara. In Madison County the number is 618-251-6214 (9am-noon). Ask for Bev.
The design of the program is such that the exchange will occur without the parents having physical or visual contact with one another. The Exchange Centers are staffed by a Site Leader (who manages the process and completes documentation), and a Security Officer. At any time that the parties believe they no longer need the structure of the Exchange Center, they may petition the Court. A new court order must be issued for any changes, or removal. There is also “fully” supervised visitation available in Madison County (beginning 9/1/08). This is also court ordered, and the entry process is the same. Call Bev for further information.
The Visitation Exchange Centers are located in St Clair County at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL (618-234-2120, X 1735); and at the Madison County Facility in Wood River, IL (the Kids’ Corner: 618-251-6214). Directions to each site are below.
The times of operation are Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 5pm-7:45pm in St. Clair County; Wednesdays from 4pm-7:45pm, Fridays and Sundays from 5pm-7:45pm in Madison County. A couple’s specific exchange times will be determined at the orientation. These must be followed to participate in the program. Court orders will be followed by staff until another order is issued by the court and a copy is given to the Site Leader or Security Officer.
Supervised Visitation is available in Madison County (not in St. Clair County). Families are referred by Madison County Family Court judges. Visitation takes place at Kids’ Corner for one hour each week. The time will be arranged at the parent intake and will be determined by availability of the staff. The parent visiting with his/her child(ren) does not leave the facility with them. The visit takes place in a playroom with a one-way mirror and a listening system. Notes of the visit are stored on a database and entered during the observation.
Directions to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Download Free PowerPoint 2007 Viewer
VEC Presentation – Summer 2007
VEC Weather Guidelines – Feb 2008
St. Clair County Exchange Center Brochure
Map of Wood River Visitation Center
101 E Edwardsville Rd
Wood River, IL 62095-1369
Directions to Wood River Visitation Center
101 E Edwardsville Rd
Wood River, IL 62095-1369