Introduction
Since fiscal year 2008, the Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy (IMRP) has been receiving annual
funding from the Connecticut General Assembly to support Connecticut children whose parent(s) and/or
family members have been incarcerated. The IMRP seeks to understand these children and how to support
them through a series of activities. The importance and growth of the Children with Incarcerated Parents
Initiative necessitated the development of an actionable plan to support children with incarcerated parents
(CIP) and their families.
The Children of Incarcerated Parents Bill of Rights, and the Initiative’s Mission and Guiding Principles,
influenced the development of this plan and greatly contributed to the establishment of a series of
relevant goals. Collaboration, Community, Education, Service, and Communication are not simply words.
They are constant reminders of the actions needed for the CIP Initiative to serve children with
incarcerated parents and their families.
Children of Incarcerated Parents: Bill of Rights
- I have the right TO BE KEPT SAFE AND INFORMED AT THE TIME OF MY PARENT’S ARREST.
- I have the right TO BE HEARD WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE ABOUT ME.
- I have the right TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE ABOUT MY PARENT.
- I have the right TO BE WELL CARED FOR IN MY PARENT’S ABSENCE.
- I have the right TO SPEAK WITH, SEE AND TOUCH MY PARENT.
- I have the right TO SUPPORT AS I STRUGGLE WITH MY PARENT’S INCARCERATION.
- I have the right NOT TO BE JUDGED, BLAMED OR LABELED BECAUSE OF MY PARENT’S INCARCERATION.
- I have the right TO A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PARENT.
By the Numbers
- 1st legislatively funded statewide initiative to support children with incarcerated parents in the U.S.
- $75,000+ in scholarship provided to college students impacted by parental close familial.
- 25+ scholarships awarded to college students impacted by parental incarceration.
- 20+ community programs funded to provide direct services to children with incarcerated parents across the state.
- $70,000+ gifted to remodel indoor and outdoor visiting areas in CT correctional facilities to strengthen family connections and support the wellbeing of children during visits.
Mission
The mission for the CIP Initiative is to improve the quality of support for children with incarcerated parents by using the various data and knowledge it gains to inform public policy and practice.
Guiding Principles
- Practices should be designed specifically with CIP needs in mind.
- Include CIP and their families in the process of program development, implementation, and evaluation.
- The relationship between the child and the incarcerated parent should be supported.
- Programs should reach children and families to get “self-referrals”.
- Stigma and isolation associated with incarceration should be reduced.
- Emphasis on connections, collaborations and coordination among agencies and community partners.
- Evaluation and accurate data are critical for identifying evidence-supported practices.
| Goal One: Collaboration |
Progress Timeline |
| Action Items |
12 mos. |
18 mos. |
24 mos. |
| 1. Support mutually beneficial relationships with children with incarcerated parents and their families. |
|
|
X |
| 2. Communicate and coordinate with existing IMRP staff to advance the missions of both the IMRP and the CIP Initiative. |
X |
|
|
| 3. Engage the UConn community and make use of the resources available to advance the mission of the CIP Initiative. |
X |
|
|
| 4. Establish mutually beneficial relationships with corporations, foundations, government/quasi-government agencies, and non-profit organizations with an interest in and understanding of the benefits of supporting children with incarcerated parents. |
X |
|
|
| 5. Establish an advisory group, and convene regularly, to address and actively engage in activities to improve support for children with incarcerated parents and their families. |
|
X |
X |
| 6. Participate in activities and events, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, that bring exposure to the importance of supporting children with incarcerated parents. |
X |
X |
|
| IMRP Strategic Plan Alignment: Goal Five: Collaborative Mindset |
| Goal Two: Community |
Progress Timeline |
| Action Items |
12 mos. |
18 mos. |
24 mos. |
| 1. Convene key constituents, on a regular basis, to address the needs of children with incarcerated parents as well as ensure efficiency in providing services. |
|
|
X |
| 2. Work with DOC, and other state agencies, to foster family relationships (e.g., transforming visiting areas into child-friendly spaces) through the development of initiatives to support children with incarcerated parents and their families. |
X |
|
|
| 3. Develop a system to maintain contact with families that benefit from the work of the CIP Initiative, establishing a network, and actively seek their respective input in continuous improvement efforts. |
|
|
X |
| 4. Develop a process for soliciting feedback from stakeholders as well as disseminating CIP Initiative generated information. |
|
|
X |
| 5. Facilitate events that highlight the work of the CIP Initiative as well as serve as a forum for communicating best practices. |
X |
|
|
| 6. Engage UConn students, particularly those impacted, in the work of the CIP Initiative. |
|
|
X |
| IMRP Strategic Plan Alignment: Goal Five: Collaborative Mindset |
| Goal Three: Education |
Progress Timeline |
| Action Items |
12 mos. |
18 mos. |
24 mos. |
| 1. Engage in research-based activities to drive systemic change for children with incarcerated parents and inform constituents on challenges, opportunities, and best practices. |
|
X |
|
| 2. Provide professional development opportunities, including state agencies, on the prevalence and impact of parental incarceration on children, as well as how to support them and their families. |
X |
|
|
| 3. Create a process for researching and publishing CT-specific guidelines for supporting children with incarcerated parents. |
|
|
X |
| 4. Distribute impactful communications that educate key constituents (e.g., legislative officials) and influence public policy and practice. |
|
X |
|
| IMRP Strategic Plan Alignment: Goal Three: Research Diligence |
| Goal Four: Service |
Progress Timeline |
| Action Items |
12 mos. |
18 mos. |
24 mos. |
| 1. Develop an organizational structure (e.g., people, programs, processes, partnerships, platforms, etc.) to best support the services of the CIP Initiative. |
|
X |
|
| 2. Establish multiple sources of revenue (e.g., legislative appropriations, fundraising, grants, fee for service, etc.) to ensure the sustainability of CIP Initiative operations and services. |
X |
|
|
| 3. Develop a portfolio of need-based offerings that are valued by relevant stakeholders. |
|
X |
|
| 4. Expand the CIP Initiative’s scholarship program. |
X |
|
|
| 5. Validate attachment and stigma scales as well as family reentry workbook and potentially “sell” the knowledge to local, state, and federal organizations. |
|
|
X |
| IMRP Strategic Plan Alignment: Goals One & Two: Organizational Structure and Resource Optimization & Business Sustainability and Controlled Growth |
| Goal Five: Communication |
Progress Timeline |
| Action Items |
12 mos. |
18 mos. |
24 mos. |
| 1. Establish a communication system for those directly affected by parental incarceration to share feedback and offer suggestions. |
|
|
X |
| 2. Engage in communications activities that lend a voice to children with incarcerated parents and those affected. |
X |
|
|
| 3. Engage in communications activities directed toward individuals and organizations that help shape policy and provide support. |
X |
|
|
| 4. Develop a communications plan that promotes the work of the CIP Initiative. |
|
|
X |
| IMRP Strategic Plan Alignment: Goal Four: Communications Management |