Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration
Parents Behind Bars: Answers to Children’s Difficult Questions
REACH: Connect Your Children with Education
This video from
Hear Us explains the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness, with special emphasis on educating incarcerated parents on how to advocate for their children’s education during periods of incarceration.
Visit the
REACH webpage.
The National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated
The National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated, based at
Rutgers University-Camdenseeks to raise awareness about the needs and concerns of the children of the incarcerated and their families by disseminating accurate and relevant information and research, guiding the development of family strengthening policy and practice, equipping people working in the field with needed information and resources, and including families in defining the issues and designing solutions.
Visit the
National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated website.
When a Parent is Incarcerated: A Primer for Social Workers
This guide from the
Annie E. Casey Foundation provides information for child welfare agencies and caseworkers on working with incarcerated parents and their children. This primer aims to familiarize child welfare professionals with the impact of incarceration on children and provide child welfare and correctional systems with the information necessary to help improve permanency outcomes for children.
Visit the
When a Parent is Incarcerated: A Primer for Social Workers webpage.
Youth.gov: Children of Incarcerated Parents (COIP) Webpage
Sample Forms, Materials, and Policies
Delaware Relative Caregivers’ School Authorization Affidavit
Packet for Parents Facing Incarceration
This sample packet from
Adrian Public Schools in Adrian, MI, provides information to assist parents facing incarceration with making appropriate arrangements for their children. Included in the packet area checklist of tasks for parents facing incarceration, a list of frequently asked questions, a blank power of attorney form, a sample completed power of attorney form, and a flyer about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education program.
Download the
packet.