Family Engagement

Featured

Second Chance Act Spotlight: Darius Dennis, Norfolk, Virginia

September 13, 2018

“I have the motivation to be in control of my own choices—for how I see my future and how I see my children’s future,” Darius Dennis said. “That’s what the program taught me. So it was absolutely the right thing for me at the right time.”

Georgia Juvenile Justice Task Force Shows Commitment to Parental Engagement

“Our goal was not just to build a reentry task force, but to build one that was sustainable,” said B. Keith Jones, one of the task force’s leaders and director of Reentry Services within the DJJ.

Oriana House Works to Reconnect Formerly Incarcerated Parents with Their Children

Residential reentry centers (RRCs)–also known as halfway houses–such as Oriana House, serve as alternatives to traditional jails or prisons, where individuals are often relocated for a designated amount of time following their incarceration.

NRRC Projects

Second Chance Act Programs Supporting Community-Based Mentoring and Transitional Services for Adults

Through the Second Chance Act, multiple programs have provided funding for nonprofit organizations—including faith-based, tribal, and community-based nonprofit organizations—and federally recognized tribal communities to provide mentoring and transitional services for adults returning to their communities from incarceration. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention have administered the awards.

Second Chance Act Programs Supporting Mentoring and Transitional Services for Youth

Through the Second Chance Act, multiple programs provided funding for nonprofit organizations—including faith-based, tribal, and community-based nonprofit organizations—and federally recognized tribal communities to provide mentoring and transitional services for youth returning to their communities from secure confinement settings, as well as for children and families of incarcerated parents. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) administered the awards.

Key Resources

Report of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council: Children of Incarcerated Parents

Federal Interagency Reentry Council

The Federal Interagency Reentry Council (The Council) has been working since 2011 to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes related to employment, education, housing, health, and child welfare for people involved with the criminal justice system. This report summarizes The Council’s accomplishments related to children of incarcerated parents.

Children of Incarcerated Parents: An Action Plan for Federal Policymakers

CSG Justice Center

This action plan is designed to help federal leaders improve policies for children of incarcerated parents, but also includes recommendations of value to states and local governments that can facilitate and complement federal initiatives and result in better responses to this population.

Reentry Mythbusters: Children of Incarcerated Parents Series

Federal Interagency Reentry Council

This Reentry Mythbuster is one in a series of fact sheets intended to clarify federal policies that affect formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. On any given day, nearly two million children under 18 have a parent in prison–and many more have had an incarcerated parent at some point during their childhood. Children of incarcerated parents often face financial instability, changes in family structure, and social stigma from their community. This series is designed to help these children, their caregivers, and the service providers who work with them.

Family Engagement

Featured

Second Chance Act Spotlight: Darius Dennis, Norfolk, Virginia

Georgia Juvenile Justice Task Force Shows Commitment to Parental Engagement

Oriana House Works to Reconnect Formerly Incarcerated Parents with Their Children

NRRC Projects

Second Chance Act Programs Supporting Community-Based Mentoring and Transitional Services for Adults

Second Chance Act Programs Supporting Mentoring and Transitional Services for Youth

Key Resources

Report of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council: Children of Incarcerated Parents

Children of Incarcerated Parents: An Action Plan for Federal Policymakers

Reentry Mythbusters: Children of Incarcerated Parents Series

Webinars

Effectively Implementing Family Engagement and Involvement Practices for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Innovative Partnerships–Child Support and Reentry

Fatherhood and Reentry: Engaging Families in the Reentry Process

Keeping Fathers Engaged in Reentry Programs Post-Release

Engaging Families in Reentry and Demonstrating Improved Outcomes for Family Members of Returning Fathers

Relevant Organizations

Justice for Families

National Fatherhood Initiative

National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

Urban Institute

Vera Institute of Justice