Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamisha Pruitt
Hi Kamisha , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the Owner and Program Coordinator for Carolina Ties of the Lowcountry. Originally from North Carolina, I moved to South Carolina in 2006 as my next Duty Station with the USAF. She earned an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology with a concentration in Human Development from Park University of Parkville, MO. I am an Air Force Veteran with a background in Security and Law Enforcement. I began my journey with Supervised Visitation under Family Ties of the Lowcountry in July 2014 as Administrative Assistant to Linda Toporek. I worked closely with Linda to refine the supervision services we were providing as well as created other programs to better help families in our communities who were struggling with seeing their children while going through the Family Court process and/or Adult situations. Anyone doing this type of work must be compassionate, child-focused, and understanding of the emotional stress our clients are under. I have worked hard to ensure the best for families, normalizing abnormal situations as much as possible. Children need and deserve healthy relationships with their parents as well as positive home environments to support healthy foundations for the emotional growth of children.
Linda started Supervised Visitation Services for the Tri-county area in 2002. Linda saw in me what I wasn’t quite sure I had and helped to see an untapped need I had to help families and children. Under Linda, I managed the supervision programs to include off-site visits, on-site visits, monitored phone/skype calls, and therapeutic supervision. In 2022, Linda explained she had faith in me to keep the program going as she stepped back to focus on Co-Parenting with Families in need. So, The Supervised Visitation services were transferred over to me, and Carolina Ties of the Lowcountry was created.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are some challenges with Supervised Visitation. Having to prove the value of the services we provide and most importantly, understanding of overall safety with children and families dealing with domestic violence.
The state of the world has changed. Mental Health concerns, Drugs, and Alcohol play a major role in human behavior towards adults and children. Supervision Services with proper protocols in place can help provide peace of mind to those afraid for the safety and welfare of themselves and their children. The number of people who die from visitation exchange altercations and interactions has increased. With proper intakes, a non-biased party can see through some of the warning signs presented by clients and put in place safety measures that could save a life.
Acceptance of Visitation Monitors can be subjective. Some families want us to participate in activities with them, while others want us to be a fly on the wall. We perform this job to the best of our abilities with the safety of the children as our priority.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Carolina Ties of the Lowcountry is an organization/Agency providing Supervised Visitation Services to families who are trying to navigate the world of parenting, relationships, and even family court decisions. Supervised Visitation Services provide children the opportunity to spend time with the parents they do not get to see every day in an environment that is safe and child-focused. As professional monitors, we are not on any person’s side…we are on the side of the child. We step in to alleviate the stress that can be felt by a friend or family member if they were to be involved. No two cases are the same. We provide services to children from birth until the age of 18 as well as elderly adults when abuse is suspected by Adult children.
The Services we provide include Supervised Visitation, Monitored Calls, Monitored Exchanges, Therapeutic Supervision, Supportive Parent Monitoring Program, Parenting Classes, and Home Reviews.
My staff and I enjoy getting to meet the children and watch them grow into the people they were meant to be (if they are with us that long). What sets Carolina Ties apart from others is we are an Agency of more than one monitor, not an individual service provider.
I am most proud of the programs we have expanded on in the last 2 years. (Parenting Classes and Home Reviews.)
I would like for readers to understand we provide services for the Lowcountry area. No matter the circumstance that supervision is needed, we are here in support of the children. You do not have to have a court referral to have services provided to you and your family.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I fell in love with Supervised Visitation services because they allowed me to help people in a way that is lacking in our community. I understand what it feels like to be without your child and you have no control over it. I also understand that many people have been taught a certain way of life. Unfortunately, may not understand the impact of the way of life they have lived may be affecting their children. It is these 2 elements that drive me to provide quality services. We are never done learning and if I can help a family discover a new way to experience life together in the best interest of the child…I have succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolinatiessc.com
