SplitnTwo.com has joined forces with the State of Mississippi in the MAV_P. They have opened two centers in the State already and intend to spread this program to all areas.
Tawnya Maddox founder of SplitnTwo, one of the organizers of the DC Festival 2008, is a mediator for the state of Mississippi and she had the following to say.
“We believe that children need both fit parents in their lives even in the case of divorce. Many times children need both parents even more in these especially trying circumstances.”
What is access and visitation?
Mississippi’s Access and Visitation Program (MAV-P) is designed for noncustodial parents to have access to visit their children as specified in a court order or divorce decree. Assistance with voluntary agreements for visitation schedules is provided to parents who do not have a court order.
What are the goals for MAV-P?
The ultimate goal is to afford services that improve the quality of life for separated families by providing noncustodial parents opportunities to participate in their children’s growth and development. Other goals include:
- Encouraging family agreements through mediation;
- Providing parent education plans to enhance parenting skills;
- Furnishing a safe, neutral facility for visitation, as needed;
- Promoting compliance to the noncustodial parent’s court ordered support obligations;
- Aiding custodial parents in honoring court ordered visitations; and
- Working with fatherhood mentors and coaches through a Fragile Families Initiative Program.
What are the benefits of the program?
The program benefits include:
- BOTH parents being involved in the development stages of the child’s life.
- BOTH parents providing emotional, medical, psychological and financial support.
- BOTH parents sharing in the child’s character and core values development.
- BOTH parents agreeing on scheduling and time-sharing.
Who is eligible to participate in MAV-P?
Individuals interested in participating in MAV-P are not required to have a child support case or affiliation with the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Paternity must be established for all cases. Participants seeking assistance with supervised visitation must have a verified court order or divorce decree. Finally, the custodial and noncustodial parents must agree on scheduled mediation, parent education, unsupervised or supervised visitations, as needed.
What services are provided in MAV-P?
- MEDIATION includes MAV-P staff working with both parents to develop a peaceful resolution to visitation disputes. This process is a face-to-face interview and/or telephone sessions.
- SUPERVISED VISITATION is scheduled for parents with legally established visitation directed by a court order or divorce decree.
- EDUCATION is offered through parenting classes which address the basic needs of the child, money and stress management, child abuse, co-parenting and the concerns of the parents for their child(ren)’s well-being.
What about visitation rights?
The Division of Child Support Enforcement represents neither party in establishing visitation or custody rights. The noncustodial parent must seek legal counsel for court ordered visitation and/or custody. Mississippi’s Access and Visitation Program is a pilot project. The outcome of this project, and others like it across the nation, will determine if Child Support Enforcement programs will be required to provide visitation and custody services.
“If you are a non-custodial parent in Mississippi that is having trouble obtaining time with your children, contact us at SplitnTwo and we will do everything we can to help. Sadly in this day and time with a 50% divorce rate we are leaving 1/2 of our kids in a precarious situation. Spouses divorce but you are a parent forever.” Kenneth Maddox co-founder of Splitntwo.com
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