Reaching and Assisting Families in Transition
(419) 586-4663 Ext: 1006
The R.A.F.T. Program offers services to families in transition such as:
- Monitored Parenting Time
- Monitored Parental Exchange
- Mediation
- Step-Parent Home Studies
- Budgeting Classes
- Parenting Classes
Monitored Parenting Time
The R.A.F.T. Program provides a safe and neutral setting in which parental visits can take place. Monitored parenting time can be initiated by circumstances such as child abuse investigation, custody issues, protection orders, establishing parental/child relationships broken or not yet developed.
Our professional staff ensures the comfort and safety of all parties involved. R.A.F.T. provides a comfortable, home-based atmosphere which fosters family interaction. Visits are supervised by professional staff who conduct themselves in the least intrusive manner possible.
Monitored Parental Exchange
R.A.F.T. also provides a neutral place for participants to exchange custody of children. This avoids contact between two parties who may be experiencing conflict.
Mediation
R.A.F.T. also provides mediation services for parents who are having difficutly reaching a mutually satisfying agreement on visitation issues. A mediator, trained by the Ohio Supreme Court is used to aid parents in reaching an agreement. Mediation can be court ordered or self-referred.
Step-Parent Home Studies
Home studies are provided to help in adoption cases. All home studies consist of a background check and fingerprints, references, and a home interview. A full report of findings is completed and given to the court upon completion of the home study.
"Cooper" Trained Therapy Dog
Cooper, a 1-year old Maltese, is an official therapy dog for the R.A.F.T. Program. He received his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) honor in July and his membership to Therapy Dog International (TDI) in November.
A dog must pass 15 benchmarks to be a TDI dog. Cooper had to work well with children, people with infirmities, other dogs and strangers and perform specific commands. Cooper serves a a neutral subject for parents and children as they get reacquainted. The kids play with him, chase him, he sits on their lap at the table while they do homework, naps beside them and sits on their lap as they watch a movie. He helps teach children how to "play nice," to nurture and to be kind. When Cooper is not at work, he is hanging out at home with Karla Kessler, R.A.F.T. Program Coordinator.
OUR Home Family Resource Center is a nonprofit organization which administers the R.A.F.T. Program and provides other services. The R.A.F.T. Program is funded by a grant through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Child Support, from a federal award: Grants to States for Access and Visitation Programs. To participate in the R.A.F.T. Program, please call the coordinator at 419-586-4663 Ext: 1006.
All fees must be paid in cash, money order or certified check at the time of service and are non-refundable.
Karla Kessler, LSW
R.A.F.T. Program Coordinator
(419) 586-4663 Ext: 1006