We Provide a Safe Place for Frequent, Meaningful and Quality Visitation
Purpose of Family Visitation
We’ve learned that frequent, meaningful and quality visitation is an important predictor of reunification. We provide this safe space for children involved in the child welfare system.
Visitation Between Parents and Their Children Seeks To:
Preserve or develop the parent/child bond, and improve a healthy parent/child relationship.
Help the child manage the trauma of being apart from their family.
Assist the parent to learn, improve, develop and practice positive parenting skills.
What To Expect
A visitation caseworker will contact a parent soon after a child’s placement to arrange a meeting with the parent. At the meeting, the caseworker will provide a tour of the visitation center, explain the program structure and guidelines, and together develop a visitation plan and schedule.
Parents will then meet with the visitation caseworker bi-weekly to assess strengths, identify progress and address any needs/concerns.
Where Visits Take Place
Visits usually take place at the Family Support Center at our main office in the Sharwell Building (Lycoming County).
Visits may also occur in the community or family home depending on the circumstances and the order of the court.
What Types of Visits Occur
Supervised visits will have a visitation caseworker in attendance in the room during visits.
Observed visits will have a visitation caseworker observing from outside the room and occasionally checking in with the family.
Community visits may or may not be supervised.
How To Prepare for Visits
It is very important that you attend all of your visits and arrive on time.
Think about your child’s age and development. What activities would be enjoyable for engagement with your child?
Parents are encouraged to bring activities to do with their children. The Family Support Center does provide a wide assortment of games and activities for families to use.
Parents are welcome to bring snacks, a meal or use the Family Support Center kitchen to prepare meals together, if age appropriate.
Bring extra clothes/supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) for infants and toddlers.
Our Location
The Family Support Center is located at 192 Beach Road, Montoursville, PA 17754.
Directions from East on I-180/Route-220 North/Route-15 South
As you approach Williamsport, I-180, 220 North and 15 South merge briefly into one road.
Take exit 23B to merge onto E 3rd St.
Turn left onto Warrensville Rd.
Turn right onto Country Farm Rd.
Turn right to stay on Country Farm Rd., which turns into Beach Rd.
Directions from West I-180/South Route-220
Take I-180 exit 23 toward Warrensville Rd.
Turn left onto E 3rd St.
Turn left onto Warrensville Rd.
Turn right onto Country Farm Rd.
Turn right to stay on Country Farm Rd., which turns into Beach Rd.
Directions from Interstate 80
Take exit 30N from the Interstate.
You will then be on Route 15 North, follow this approximately 20 miles.
As you approach Williamsport, you will pass a Beiter's Appliance Store (on your left) and the Little League Complex (on the right).
You will then pass through three traffic lights. After the third light you will be on the Market Street bridge
Travel over the bridge into Williamsport, staying in the right lane.
Turn right to merge onto I-180 E/US-220 N.
Take I-180 exit 23 toward Warrensville Rd.
Turn left onto E 3rd St.
Turn left onto Warrensville Rd.
Turn right onto Country Farm Rd.
Turn right to stay on Country Farm Rd., which turns into Beach Rd.
Directions from 15 North
Follow routes 11/15 from Harrisburg. At Shamokin Dam, 11 & 15 separate, follow route 15 North.
Outside of Lewisburg, you will pass the interchange with Route 80. Stay on 15 North; Williamsport is approximately 20 miles from this point.
As you approach Williamsport, you will pass a Beiter's Appliance Store (on your left) and the Little League Complex (on the right)
You will then pass through three traffic lights. After the third light you will be on the Market Street bridge
Travel over the bridge into Williamsport, staying in the right lane.
Turn right to merge onto I-180 E/US-220 N.
Take I-180 exit 23 toward Warrensville Rd.
Turn left onto E 3rd St.
Turn left onto Warrensville Rd.
Turn right onto Country Farm Rd.
Turn right to stay on Country Farm Rd., which turns into Beach Rd.