[celinenj02]

What is it like at these halfway houses? Our fc's bio has "asked" that we bring a 7 month old baby to visit there. While I support having mom see her child, I admit I am leary about visiting a halfway house! The hours for visitation are in the evenings after 7 p.m. The halfway house is about 2 hours away. I am not obligated, but if I say no I would like to give a good reason. We could set up visitation for after mom is released more easily.

[Gryph]

I'd rather visit at a half-way house than prison. I have picked good weather days so we can stay outside. When weather keeps us inside, there's usually a living room or cafeteria like area.

I check in upon arrival. They direct us where to wait, then the prisoner arrives. Guards don't stand over us. It's much more relaxed.

[dadfor2]

halfway houses are just that...houses, halfway to living independently.

there should be nothing to worry about. im assuming she is there for drug rehalbilitation

your foster child will think she is in someones house. there is no one standing over you and watching you.

its far from a prison, far far from it.

there is vistor times due to the structure of the program, and that is all.

she is apparently trying to turn her life around and the halfway house is there to help her learn to stay sober and clean..and to be a better mother.

if the halfway house staff thought it would not be a good idea for her to see her children, then that would be mentioned also.

its up to you, but the only reason why i could see your fc not visiting her mother, was because the visits dont go well....dont let her being in a halfway house, which actually is probably the best place for her....sway your decision.

hope this helps....

dadfor2

[PinkRibbon]

Can't the CW provide transportation? What is the CW's position on all this?

[celinenj02]

The CW position is you don't have to go, she will set up transportation, but by the time they do that, the mom will probably be released. There is a bit of red tape to go through to have someone other than myself transport. I was going to consider it as a favor so that mom could get visits earlier.

I am not convinced that this is like a house though where the baby would feel at home. I know there are close to 800 people living there and it is located in the worst city in our state. I guess they are obviously all different.

I was closer to considering it until mom's parents (after being asked to visit) said emphatically NO we are not going into that area.

[dadfor2]

800 people....no, thats not what i know about halfway houses,

it must be different from state to state...

the ones i know, usually have about 20 -30 woman or men in them....

sorry to give you wrong info....just giving info in mass...

dadfor2

[cindy123456789]

Well, one easy out, if you want it, is the time of night. 7:00pm is rather late to start a visit. The baby needs to be on a regular schedule. Of course, our household is in bed between 8:30 and 9:00 pm, so that would be a definite no on week nights if it was a two hour drive home. Seems there should be a better time of day at least on weekends. I'd be afraid of falling asleep driving home, or goign to work the next day. You can be thinking of the safety of the baby. Sorry, just my opinion.

[WhoseEyes]

Guess I have been living in the dark ages! I have never seen a halfway house with more than 20 or so residents, like Dadfor 2 said. The purpose is to provide a midway point for independent living before going back into general population.

A traditional halfway house is usually a very safe place to visit. The residents have to work hard and follow iron-clad rules in order to stay. Many of them would end up back in jail, a hospital, or even homeless if dismissed from the program, so are regimental in their compliance.

But in your case, I have no idea...800 residents...good golly!

Tim