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F.A.Q for Dads at CSP

Who is Get On The Bus for?

Get On The Bus is for children of moms and dads who are in prison. Get On The Bus provides transportation for children and one care giver to CSP for Father’s Day.

Who can participate in Get On The Bus?

For this pilot year, any fathers who have children residing Los Angeles and Long Beach areas ONLY. One caregiver or volunteer over the age of 18 will escort the children into visit you.

How much does it cost for families to participate in the program?

GOTB is FREE to families.  Transportation, food photos are all FREE

When do I sign up?

You can sign up for Get On The Bus from November 15 until December 31, 2010.

What is the date for Get On The Bus?

Get On The Bus is on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

How long is visiting on the Get On The Bus day?

8 am- Children are processed
9 am- 1 pm- Visiting
2 pm- Buses depart

What do the children receive?

Transportation, meals, items (coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc) to keep them busy, t shirts, a special visit with child focused activities, a photo with you, stay connected bags (stationary, pens, stamps, etc.) so that they can keep in touch after the visit, and a teddy bear and a letter from you, which they receive on their way home.

What do I receive?

The opportunity to unite with you children for a special day, a free lunch and a photo to take back with you.

Where can I pick up an application?

Pick up an application from your MAC Representative or Law Library

I have visiting restrictions, can I still participate?

You cannot visit anyone you’ve been restricted from having contact with.

If I put more people on the back of my application, does it mean that I can receive extra visitors?

No, GOTB is all about the children.  Only one guardian will escort each family.  The purpose of the back of the application is for you to put down contacts of as many people that may have contact with your children so we have a better chance of reaching them.

After I fill out my application, where do I submit it?

Return completed applications to Lt. Kyte through the mail by December 31, 2009.

If I turn in an application, does it guarantee my participation in Get On The Bus?

No. You will need to be cleared by CSP to participate. You can’t participate if you have visiting restrictions.  There are no non-contact visits and you can’t participate if you are placed in administrative segregation.

Will I be notified if I am not approved?

Yes, the prison will notify you.

What happens to my application after I submit it?

The prison will mail all the approved applications to the central GOTB office. The applications will then be separated by prison and area and given to a GOTB volunteer.

How will my family know about Get On The Bus?

Your family members/children’s social worker will be contacted through the information you provide.  We strongly advise that you let them know that you are signing them up for the program.

When will my family be contacted?

GOTB will contact your family in the beginning – mid February. However, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FAMILY BEFORE FEBRUARY to let them know about GOTB.

What if GOTB can’t contact my family?

It is extremely important that you fill out your application completely and provide as many people we can contact about GOTB. If GOTB is unable to contact your family, you will be notified by the prison and asked to produce more telephone numbers.  If GOTB can’t reach your family by mid April, your family will not be able to participate in this year’s event.

What if my family does not want to participate?

If your family chooses not to participate, GOTB will not force them to participate. No, means no.

How will I know if my family does not want to participate?

You will be notified by the prison if your family chooses not to participate.

What happens if my family wants to participate?

GOTB will call your family and set up a time and place to meet so they can fill out all the necessary paperwork for the prison and for the program.

Can I sign up a caregiver who is not on my visiting list to accompany my child on the bus?

Yes, fill the visitor’s name on a 106 form and GOTB will help this person fill out the notary paperwork.  Their clearance will be dependent on CSP approval.

What if my child/children’s legal guardian is not able to come on the trip or is not approved by the prison to go?

Another person you know or a GOTB volunteer will escort your child (pending prison clearance). A notary giving this person permission to escort your child is required.

What if I am my child/children’s legal guardian?

You need to have proof of this and you will then sign a notary giving another person an approved person permission to accompany your child.  Or, you may approve a volunteer to bring your children.

Is there an age limit for children?

There is no age limit for children – children are children no matter what age.

Can my grandchildren participate?

No, due to capacity limits in the visiting areas, only your children or step-children can participate.

My step-child/children call me Dad, can they ride the bus?

GOTB takes all children – anyone who considers you a father figure may participate.

My teenage or young adult daughter has a baby, can the baby ride the bus?

If your daughter is the primary caregiver and there is no care available for the baby on the day of the event, then yes. This will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Is there a limit to the number of caregivers who can accompany my child/children?

Only ONE caregiver or guardian per family is permitted to ride the bus.

My child’s guardian has a Matricular Consulate Card. Can he/she escort my children?

Yes. However, this ID is good for only 60 days and provides the prison with a photo ID and background check.

My child is a ward of the state and a social worker is his/her guardian.  Can he/she participate?

The child’s guardian in this case, the social worker will have to approve of it.  The social worker may need to present a court order to the prison for further approval.

What if I have more than one family? Can both families participate?

GOTB strongly suggests picking ONE family to avoid conflicts. However, GOTB will make decisions on a case by case basis.

What does my child need in order to participate?

Your child needs a valid birth certificate.  GOTB takes care of the rest.

What if the caretaker is missing my child’s birth certificate?

GOTB will provide funding to purchase a birth certificate if one is not available.

How can I contribute to Get On The Bus?

You can also send donations directly to our Central Office: 5411 W Camellia Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601.  See Ms. Tina for a trust withdrawal application for an individual donation. If you or your group raises more than $500, your name will be printed on a Get On The Bus t-shirt. If your group raises more than $1500, your group’s logo will appear on the t-shirt.

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