Our History

Originally established as The Judge Ben Gordon, Jr. Family Visitation Center in 1997 by Sharon Rogers in Shalimar United Methodist Church, Safe Connections was formed in response to a group of child advocates which included Child Psychologists, the Director of the Guardian Ad Litem Office, Circuit Court Judges, Social Workers, Domestic Violence Victim Advocates, representatives from the State's Attorney's Office, and local Clergy. The group was unified in its assertion that the child and adult victims in this community were being put at risk during Court ordered visitation and exchanges of children. Safe Connections answered the need to provide a safe, structured environment for victims of domestic violence and child abuse in Okaloosa County.

In an effort to meet the needs of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Safe Connections operates facilities in the following communites: Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and DeFuniak Springs.

Safe Connections' purpose is:

To assure the safety and welfare of the children, adults, and center staff during supervised contact (during both visitation and monitor exchange services).
To enable an ongoing relationship between the non-custodial parent and child by impartially observing their contact in a safe and structured environment, and to facilitate appropriate child/parent interaction during supervised contact.
Where appropriate, to provide written documentation to the court regarding the supervised contact.