For the approximate 400 Westchester County children in foster care, frequent and ongoing contact with their families is critical. Visiting reduces the trauma that children experience by being separated and increases their chances of living in a permanent home. Host Visitation volunteers, or Visit Hosts, are professionally trained community volunteers who support families by supervising and supporting them as they visit one another. Using Coached Visitation, a model developed by Marty Beyer, Ph.D., Visit Hosts guide parents as they cope with their own feelings, respond to the unique needs of their children and build on the strengths in each family. Coached visitation helps parents plan for meaningful visits in a natural and community-based environment whenever possible.
Host Visitation is a contract service through the Westchester County Department of Social Services.

To learn more, please contact Randi Menchel at 917-992-3068 or menchelr@mhawestchester.org.