Healing Families from the Inside Out

 

Voices of Incarceration Project

A bridge for mothers and fathers from incarceration back to their community and family…

  • 8-session group meets once a week to increase communication skills, decrease stigma for themselves and their children, and increase their ability to advocate for a healthier future.
  • Meals sponsored each week by local restaurants.
  • Continued contact beyond the group to assist with reunification planning and child-centered emotional support.

A bridge of support for caregivers…

  • Provide information about community resources.
  • In-home mentoring and respite childcare upon request.
  • On-going support through each family’s unique reunification plan.
  • Assistance with supporting children through the ups and downs of transitions due to incarceration.

A bridge for the community…

  • Bringing school staff, counselors, employers, adult children of incarceration and other community members to the VIP Group in efforts to expand perspectives for healing individuals and families.
Montana Women’s Prison Parenting Program
  • Nurturing Parenting® 15 session classes based on child development, self awareness, and empathy building.
  • Motheread® a group designed to better understand child development through children’s stories.
  • Journaling using the power of family history and story for further healing.
  • Advocacy Program facilitates conversations in hopes of developing healthy communication, and increase all perspectives affected by parental incarceration.
  • Mother/child mentoring through one-on-one parenting time sessions.
  • Birth support and placement planning for expectant mothers, infants and their caregivers.
  • Kid’s Day held on the 3rd Saturday of each month for Mothers and children including activities and snacks.
  • Family Day an extended visit held annually to welcome family members to enjoy a meal and activities.
Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Bill of Rights
  1. I have the right to be kept safe and informed at the time of my parent’s arrest.
  2. I have the right to be heard when decisions are made about me.
  3. I have the right to be considered when decisions are made about my parent.
  4. I have the right to be well cared for in my parent’s absence.
  5. I have the right to speak with, see and touch my parent.
  6. I have the right to support as I face my parent’s incarceration.
  7. I have the right not to be judged, blamed or labeled because my parent is incarcerated.
  8. I have the right to a lifelong relationship with my parent.

From: San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership