Get On The Bus

FAQ Dads VSP

F.Q.A. for Dads at VSP

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 caregiver to VSP for Father’s Day.

 The incarcerated parent’s children and one caregiver or volunteer over the age of 18 will escort the children into visit you.

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

The incarcerated parent can sign up for Get On The Bus from September until November 15.

VSP-Get On The Bus date will be May 12, 2017!

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.

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

Incarcerated parents can pick up an application from the MAC Representatives or the chapel.

The incarcerated parent cannot visit anyone he or she has been restricted from having contact with or participate if he/she has restrictions visiting with minors.

Return completed applications to the Ms. C. Maroney, CRM

No. The incarcerated parent will need to be cleared by CMC to participate. He/she can’t participate if he/she has visiting restrictions with minors. There are no non-contact visits and he/she can’t participate if he/she is placed in administrative segregation.

es, the prison will notify the incarcerated parent if he/she is not approved.

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.

Your family members/children’s social worker will be contacted through the information provided on the application. Please give us a call at 818-980-7714 if you don’t receive a call by mid-February and you know that your loved one submitted an application.

GOTB will contact your family in mid January through February.

If GOTB is unable to contact your family, the incarcerated parent 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.

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

 The incarcerated parent will be notified by letter if your family does not want 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.

Yes, but they will need a signed notary with the legal guardians signature (matching the birth certificate) in order to accompany the child. GOTB will help this person fill out the notary paperwork. Their clearance will be dependent on CMC approval.

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.

The incarcerated parent will sign a notary at the prison giving another person permission to accompany your child.

The age limit for children is infant to 25 years of age.

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

If the step-child/children considers the incarcerated parent a father/mother figure then he/she may participate.

 If the 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.

Only ONE caregiver or guardian per family is permitted to ride the bus. Unless there are several children.

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.

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

Your child needs a valid birth certificate. If the child is being accompanied by someone who is not his/her legal guardian, the child will need a notary signed by the legal guardian giving permission to this person to escort her/him into the prison

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

You can also send donations directly to our Central Office: 6400 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Ste 304, North Hollywood, CA 91606. If you or your group raises more than $550, your name will be printed on a Get On The Bus t-shirt. If your group raises more than $2000, your group’s logo will appear on the t-shirt.