Families
For the millions of children with a parent in prison or jail, separation from their parent is traumatic and can have long-term effects on their development. For parents who are incarcerated, strong family relationships are an essential source of support. And youth detained and incarcerated in juvenile justice facilities are removed from their natural supports, negatively impacting their stability and well-being. Our team works with justice agencies and community-based organizations to promote programs that cultivate relationships and engage families in the reentry process. For more information, visit Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Their Families.
Featured
News and Analysis
May 11, 2026
In this Q&A, the author of NAMI's new guide says, "Families of…
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February 25, 2026
Application deadlines range from March 19–April 6, 2026.
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January 6, 2026
From new laws and reentry councils to increased funding and lowered barriers,…
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September 3, 2025
Our plan—developed with the National Resource Center on Children & Families of…
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October 30, 2024
A positive school experience, where a child feels secure, is essential for…
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March 13, 2024
On March 9, 2024, President Joe Biden signed a $460 billion spending…
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Webinars
Effectively Implementing Family Engagement and Involvement Practices for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
This webinar highlights strategies, tools, examples, and best-practice models from across the country that juvenile justice agency managers,…
Engaging Families in Reentry and Demonstrating Improved Outcomes for Family Members of Returning Fathers
This webinar discusses these challenges and reviews innovative strategies and approaches to measuring the outcomes of family-focused programming…
Family Engagement in Juvenile Justice Systems: Building a Strategy and Shifting the Culture
Fatherhood and Reentry: Engaging Families in the Reentry Process
In this webinar, Erik Vecere, vice president of program support for the National Fatherhood Initiative, discusses common implementation…
Focusing on Reentry Housing and Family Engagement in Collaborative, Comprehensive Case Plans
From Arrest to Homecoming—Addressing the Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents
> On September 1, 2010, National Reentry Resource Center, with the support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance,…
Key Staff
Policy Director, Impact
Valerie
Carpico
leads
work
to
strengthen
families;
improve
reentry
outcomes;
and
advance
local,
state,
and
national
criminal
justice
initiatives.
She
has
assisted
states
and
localities
pursuing
bold
reentry
goals
and
contributes
to
local
and
state
initiatives
aimed
at
reducing
recidivism
...
and
building
stronger
family
engagement
across
the
justice
system.
She
supports
law
enforcement
agencies,
co-responder
teams,
and
mental
health
and
substance
use
providers
in
strengthening
collaborative
responses
to
people
with
behavioral
health
needs.
Previously,
Valerie
served
as
reentry
coordinator
in
Fairfield
County,
Ohio,
where
she
built
partnerships
between
law
enforcement
and
behavioral
health,
led
a
local
reentry
coalition,
and
was
the
county’s
Stepping
Up
coordinator.
Valerie
holds
a
BS
in
criminal
justice
from
Ohio
University
and
an
MS
in
justice
administration
from
Tiffin
University.
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"It is the humane, person-centered approach that supports and stabilizes individuals, their families, and their communities."
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2025 Nominations Now Open for Judges and Psychiatrists Improving Lives and Behavioral Health
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On October 9, 2025, the Senate passed the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 1843), which would continue critical recidivism-reduction and reentry services nationwide.
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