Division of Child Support Enforcement

Mississippi's Access and Visitation Program (MAV-P)

What is access and visitation?

Mississippi's Access and Visitation Program (MAV-P) is designed for noncustodial parents to have access to visit their children as specified in a court order or divorce decree.  Assistance with voluntary agreements for visitation schedules is provided to parents who do not have a court order.

NOTE: Participation without a court order is strictly voluntary. Both parents must agree to be involved.

What are the goals for MAV-P?

The ultimate goal is to afford services that improve the quality of life for separated families by providing noncustodial parents opportunities to participate in their children's growth and development. Other goals include:

• Encouraging family agreements through mediation
• Providing parent education plans to enhance parenting skills
• Furnishing a safe, neutral facility for visitation, as needed
• Promoting compliance to the noncustodial parent's court ordered support obligations
• Aiding custodial parents in honoring court ordered visitations
• Working with fatherhood mentors and coaches through a Fragile Families Initiative Program

What are the benefits of the program?

The program benefits include:

• BOTH parents being involved in the development stages of the child's life
• BOTH parents providing emotional, medical, psychological and financial support
• BOTH parents sharing in the child's character and core values development
• BOTH parents agreeing on scheduling and time-sharing

Who is eligible to participate in MAV-P?

Individuals interested in participating in MAV-P are not required to have a child support case or affiliation with the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Paternity must be established for all cases. Participants seeking assistance with supervised visitation must have a verified court order or divorce decree. Finally, the custodial and noncustodial parents must agree on scheduled mediation, parent education, unsupervised or supervised visitations, as needed.

What services are provided in MAV-P?

• MEDIATION includes MAV-P staff working with both parents to develop a peaceful resolution to visitation disputes. This process is a face-to-face interview and/or telephone sessions.
• SUPERVISED VISITATION is scheduled for parents with legally established visitation directed by a court order or divorce decree.
• EDUCATION is offered through parenting classes which address the basic needs of the child, money and stress management, child abuse, co-parenting and the concerns of the parents for their child(ren)'s well-being.

What about visitation rights?

The Division of Child Support Enforcement represents neither party in establishing visitation or custody rights. The noncustodial parent must seek legal counsel for court ordered visitation and/or custody. Mississippi's Access and Visitation Program is a pilot project. The outcome of this project, and others like it across the nation, will determine if Child Support Enforcement programs will be required to provide visitation and custody services.

Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Child Support Enforcement
1-866-388-2836