In 1998, Brandon Access Exchange Service (B.A.E.S) was developed in response to Recommendation # 75 of the Schulman Report and the Visitation Access Service Working Group to the Lavoie Inquiry Implementation Committee. B.A.E.S was designed to address issues of family conflict and family violence.
The primary goal of B.A.E.S. is to ensure the safety and well being of children by providing a secure and comfortable environment in which visits and exchanges can occur.
B.A.E.S mandate is to help with families’ where:
- There has been a history of family violence and/or continued conflict
- A parent identifies concerns for their personal safety
- There exists a court order pertaining to access
- Where there is volunteer agreement to use the program by both parents
- Where children are in the care of Child and Family Services
Our Focus
- B.A.E.S allows children to maintain positive relationships with both of their parents during family dissolution.
- B.A.E.S allows parents to use our program as a tool to help families throughout difficult and/or transitional times. Further, we understand different family dynamics and work to provide a space without negative stigma.
- B.A.E.S works within a very structured environment to focus on the safety of all children and to avoid possible contact between both parental parties.
- Above all, B.A.E.S recognizes the negative impact on children during family dissolution. Our program works when non-custodial parents are able to build and/ or maintain meaningful relationship with their children.
B.A.E.S. has a new Steering Committee. The program is represented and supported by BPS, BPS Victim Services, DOCFS Management, United Way, Executive Director, Spiritual Worker, SOS worker, Management Volunteers from the community and BFC, Executive Director.