Who Are We?
LifeSteps Families in Transition (FIT) program provides a safe location for children to have contact with parents and other relatives they might not otherwise be able to maintain a relationship with due to custody litigation or other difficult family transitions. A neutral location is provided where parents can pick up and drop off children without having to interact directly with each other. Our goal in providing these services is to eliminate as much of the emotional hardship that children frequently have to endure as a result of custody litigation as possible, while helping to maintain a safe, structured, neutral environment.
LifeSteps is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization funded through Texas Department of Health Services, United Way of Williamson County, Williamson County, GISD, City of Round Rock, RRISD, civic groups, and donations from community partners, individuals and fee-for-service programs.
Our Services:
Group Observational Visitation – On-site visitations conducted by FIT staff with other visitations occurring.
Private Observational Visitation – On-site one-on-one monitoring conducted by FIT staff.
Off-Site Visitation- Visits in child-friendly FIT approved location within the visitation location area conducted by FIT staff.
Neutral Exchanges- The supervision of the transfer of a child (ren) from one parent to the other. Supervision is limited to the exchange or transfer only with the remainder of the parent/child contact unsupervised.
Supervised Exchanges/Sandwich Visits – Visiting parent and child(ren) is monitored for 30 minutes, leave for 1 hour, and return back at site with child(ren) for 30 minutes of observation.
Fees:
Group Observational Visitations (two hours minimum) - up to two children $55.00/hour; three or more children $75.00/hour
Private Observational Visitations - $ 65.00/hour
Off-Site Visitations - $75.00/hour
Neutral Exchanges - $ 25.00/hour per party per exchange
Supervised Exchanges/Sandwich Visitations - $ 50.00/ hour
Holiday Visitations/Exchanges - an additional $10.00/hour for visits; $5.00/hour for exchanges
Late Fees: (due before next visit/exchange)
~15 mintues late, no call (orientation) - $25.00
~ 10 minutes late (visit/exchange) - $25.00
~15 minutes late (visit/exchange) - Cancellation of visit and FULL COST of visit due
~No Call/No Show-FULL COST of orientation, visit or exchange
Additional Services/FEES:
Co-Parenting class- $60/party, a 2 day program (totaling 6 hrs) for divorced or separated parents. Addresses ways to lessen the negative impacts on children.
Visitors - All visitors over the age of 18 will be charged a $10.00 fee. ONLY immediate family members!
Drug Testing Services - available through a third party. Client is responsible for all drug testing fees & are payable directly to the drug testing agency.
Case Management - $40/hour rounded to the nearest 15 minute increment. Any highly demanding client or case requiring more extensive research, contact with parties or attorneys. See policy and procedures form more details.
Case Records -
Up to 25 pages (copies/faxes) - $25 per request
26 to 50 pages (copies/faxes) - $50 per request
50 or more page (copies/faxes) - $75 per request (Excessive pages may be subject to additional fees)
Notorizing records - $25 in addition to records request
Overnighting records - $45 in addition to records request
NOTE: These fees will be charged based on request, whether or not the file is picked up.
*Court Appearance by LifeSteps Staff - $100/hour including all travel time to and from the court. (with a $200 minimum non refundable fee due <u>by close of LS business the day prior to the scheduled court appearance.)</u>
Registration Process:
1. LifeSteps FIT program works with clients who are court-ordered by the court or have a mutual agreement to participate in the supervised visitation/exchange program.
2. All orientations/intakes are by appointment only. No services for visits/exchanges will be scheduled until orientation/intake appointments have been completed.
3. An orientation must be completed prior to any visitation/exchange. Parents can contact the FIT program via phone at (512) 246-9880 or email at FIT@lifestepscouncil.org to set-up an orientation. The orientation fee is $ 55.00 per party. Only money orders or credit card payments will be accepted.
Contact Information:
Jeff Nelms, Program Manager
mailto:FIT@lifestepscouncil.org, ATTN: Jeff Nelms(512) 246-9880 Main
4. The orientation takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Please do not bring your children to the orientation.
What to Bring to the Orientation/Intake Appointment:
1. Orientation/Intake Fee - $ 60.00 per party
2. Court Orders, if applicable. If no court orders are on file it will be considered a mutual agreement between both parties.
3. Protective Order, if applicable.
4. Driver License
5. Transportation Information-License Plate, Color and Make of Vehicle
6. Custodial Parent only – Picture of child(ren)
IMPORTANT:
Visit/exchange services begin once orientation is completed by BOTH parents.
Visitation/Exchange Hours:
Tuesday: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Georgetown FIT location only)
Friday: Visits - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Exchanges-6:00 pm, 6:30 pm
Saturday: Visits - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Exchanges-available during visit hours
Sunday: 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Exchanges-available during visit hours
(Georgetown and Round Rock area only)
Off-Sites: Monday & Fridays-6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays & Sundays
Additional times may be available upon request/availability
Visitation/Exchange Locations:
On-site Visitations and Exchanges take place in one of our convenient locations in Georgetown and Round Rock. Off-site Visitations can occur in a variety of settings - mutually agreed upon by all parties, for example: parks, restaurants, family-friendly attractions (Bowling Alley, Chuck-E-Cheese, GattiLand, etc.) within Round Rock and Georgetown.
Round Rock Business Office (for dropping off payments): 
2105 N. Mays, Round Rock Texas 78664
(Willow Walk Complex)
Contact Information:
Jeff Nelms, Program Manager
mailto:Jaime@lifestepscouncil.org
(512) 246-9880 Main
Useful Links:
Travis County Domestic Relations Office
Alcohol and Drug Testing
Donate
