GREENFIELD — A nonprofit that provides court-mandated supervisory services for families entangled in the legal system has expanded its program into the western half of Massachusetts, including Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties.

The Toby Center for Family Transitions, founded in Connecticut in 2000 and serving Florida since 2010, assists parents experiencing high-conflict divorce and child custody interventions by offering third-party facilitation during supervised visits with their children. Dr. Mark Roseman, founder and CEO, said the decision to expand into the western half of Massachusetts was made following conversations with a judge in the area.

“This is a very specialized field,” he said, noting that 40% of American children live in single-parent households. “Everyone needs support.”

A researcher and writer in the field since 1998, Roseman created the program that is now recognized by court circuits for its adaptability, flexible public locations and sliding-scale fee structure. He said his organization’s services cost $50 to $80, based on a parent’s income.

The Toby Center employs at least 50 people and welcomes all parents, whether due to a contentious separation, or issues focused on domestic abuse or drug abuse. It uses safe public environments such as libraries, parks, museums and college campuses when coordinating supervised visits and schedules enjoyable age-appropriate activities based on the child’s mobility.

Roseman stressed that third-party facilitation is not covered by insurance.

“That’s the tragedy,” he said, “and yet these are vital services to parents’ and children’s mental health.”

Roseman founded his organization to honor his mother, Toby, who had died the previous year. He grew up in Meriden, Connecticut, and eventually moved to Florida, though he looks forward to returning to New England relatively soon.

He explained there are two bills — collectively known as the Massachusetts Child-Centered Family Law — that have previously been filed in the Massachusetts Legislature that have aimed for court proceedings regarding child custody determinations to focus on shared parenting, a child custody arrangement in which both parents are actively involved in raising their child or children after a separation or divorce has been finalized.

“If passed, these would bring Massachusetts into the 21st century [for child reunification],” Roseman said.

More information about The Toby Center for Family Transitions is available at thetobycenter.org, or by calling 855-862-9236, ext. 1, or sending an email to info@thetobycenter.org.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.