Luke Comeau is the Executive Director of the Family Visitation Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Family Visitation Center provides safe, supervised visitation and exchange services to the local community and state contracted families. In his role as executive director, he directly oversees the programmatic and operational components of the Family Visitation Center as well as implementation of strategic fundraising campaign to donors.
Program Highlights from September 25, 2017
The Family Visitation Center was established in 2000. It is located in downtown Sioux Falls at 311 E. 14th Street. The Family Visitation Center provides safe and supervised visitation and exchanges between parent and child. Monthly they serve approximately 140 families per week.
Half of the clients are in the foster care system. The FVC has 6 vans provided from the Department of Social Services to transport children in their care within a two hour radius of Sioux Falls for their hourly weekly visits with their parent(s). The other half of the clients come to them through family law court. The FVC provides hour long weekly visits with the child and non-custodial parent through private pay. The FVC also has a drop off facility to accommodate safe exchanges between custodial parent, child, and non-custodial parent.
The Family Visitation Center prides itself on "neutrality." Luke Comeau indicates that the center does not take sides which is vital to their program. He also stated that the Family Visitation Center in Sioux Falls is a leader amongst visitation centers across the country by providing high definition audio and video capabilities. This gives the parent and child autonomy, while still ensuring the child is physically and emotionally safe. Most centers have a supervisor in the room.
The Family Visitation Center is open 69 hours per week. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. They employ 11 full time and 15 part time employees.
Their private pay services cost $200 per hour. They receive $40 per visit ($20 from each parent) towards the visit. This leaves a $160 deficit. The Family Visitation Center takes cash donations as well as gifts and teddy bears for the children.
Program for October 2, 2017
Dr. David Pearce, Sanford Health