Dubuque Child Visitation Exchange Program

The Exchange Program is ideal for:

• Parents with civil protective orders.
• Parents with protective orders from criminal cases.
• Parents with child visitation orders as part of a divorce along with contact restrictions.
• Parents with any other court order restricting contact but allowing visitation with children.

Basic Guidelines

• Each parent must complete an intake interview and pay a $10.00 registration fee.
• Length and participation is generally one year but is subject to Exchange Program approval.
• Scheduling of visitation exchanges is at the discretion of the Center on Friday and Sunday evenings, generally between 5 to 7 p.m.
• All participants must sign an agreement releasing the Center from liability and agreeing to the rules.
• Participants may be terminated for rule violations, consistent lateness or cancellations, or threatening the safety of other participants, Center volunteers, or the Center itself.
• Parents may designate third parties to pick up and drop off children for visitation exchange through the Center.  These persons must also complete an intake interview and sign the participation agreement.

Obtaining a Court Order

For information about obtaining a court order from a judge, contact an attorney or one of the following agencies:

YWCA Domestic Violence Program

Legal Advocate

Office: (563) 556-3371

Crisis Line: (563) 556-1100

Dubuque Clerk of Court

Office: (563) 589-4588

Dubuque County Attorney's

Office: (563) 589-4470

Procedure

• The Child Visitation Exchange Proram is open every weekend, on Friday and Sunday evenings.
• On Fridays, Non-Custodial parent or approved third party must check in at the scheduled time at the lower entrance to the Center.
• Custodial parent or approved third party must check in at the scheduled time at the upper entrance of the Center.  The children are taken directly to the non-custodial parent.
• Center Volunteers will escort the child(ren) from one parent to the other.
• On the return exchange on Sundays, custodial parent or approved third party will arrive at their scheduled exchange time and the non-custodial parent will arrive at the scheduled time, at their assigned entryways to the Center.  Volunteers will again escort the child(ren) between parents.
• Parents must comply with the Dubuque Child Visitation Exchange Program rules at all times.
• Parents must arrive promptly as scheduled and leave promptly according to Center rules.

After Hours Contact Number:

Rev. Dr. Tom Young

563-580-3346

Child Visitation Exchange Program

Child Exchange was developed in response to a need in this community for a safe and non-confrontational place for divorced parents in conflict to exchange their children for visitation. We provide the physical facility and the supervision of volunteers to allow custodial parents to drop off their children for weekend visitation with the non-custodial parents. Without this program, children are at risk for irregular, conflicted, and emotionally distressing transfers between their parents.

No skills are needed from volunteers, only reliability and a small amount of time. The Child Exchange Program requires a team of 6 volunteers each Friday and Sunday evening to facilitate the exchange. Volunteers either sit with one of the parents or escort the children between the custodial and non-custodial parents. Volunteers are assigned one Friday or Sunday each month, usually between 5 to 7 p.m. (often less hours). Switching assigned dates with other volunteers occurs as needed and a pool of substitutes is available. Contact Yasyn Lee at 583-1729 or email at westminsterdbq@mchsi.com with questions or to volunteer.