Children with Incarcerated Parents
If your caring for a child who has an incarcerated parent you have most likely had to answer some tough questions from the child. If the child is young enough you may not have had to tackle this subject but it's just a matter of time. Below are some great ideas and resources on how best to go about having this talk with a child. Just because the resources are listed means in no way that the creators of the site endorse these or are offering any advice.
Here is a book list for children with Incarcerated parents:
- When Andy’s Father Went to Prison by Martha Hickman
- A Trip to the Big House by Oliver Butterworth
- Joey’s Visit by Donna Jones
- Let’s Talk About When Your Parent Is in Jail by Maureen K. Wittbold
- Just for You – Children with Incarcerated Parents - Center for Children with Incarcerated Parents, Pacific Oaks College and Children’s Programs, 714 West California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
- My Mother and I Are Growing Stronger by Inez Maury
- Two in Every Hundred: a special workbook for children with a parent in prison
- There Are Some Real Special Kids In Our Class by Frank M. Black
- Keeping in Touch by Long Distance by Ann Kerniski
- A Visit With Daddy by Frank M. Black
- My Mom Went to Jail by Kathleen Hodgkins and Suzanne Bergen
- Dad’s in Prison by Sandra Cain and Margaret Speed
- I Know How You Feel Because This Happened to Me - Center for Children with Incarcerated Parents, Pacific Oaks College and Children’s Programs, 714 West California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
- A Visit with Daddy by Frank M. Black
- A Visit with Mommy by Frank M. Black
- Help for Kids Understanding Your Feelings About Having A Parent in Prison or Jail For Kids Ages Six and Older by Carole Gesme
- When a Parent Goes to Jail A Comprehensive Guide for Counseling Children of Incarcerated Parents by Rebecca Yaffe and Lonnie Hoade
- Regarding addiction: “My Dad Loves Me, My Dad Has A Disease” by Claudia Black
-This is a link to three sites with talking points and suggestions on how to answer their questions, how to deal with visits, and how to best parent from behind bars
Link
youth.gov/youth-topics/children-of-incarcerated-parents
nicic.gov/coip
Child Welfare Services
Family-centered services for incarcerated parents, their children, and families focus on parenting programs, family strengthening activities, nurturing of family relationships, community supports for families during incarceration and following release, and gender-specific interventions.
www.childwelfare.gov/topics/supporting/support-services/prisoners/
-Sesame Street video and toys for children with an incarcerated parent
Video
-Here is a list of services available for children with incarcerated parents
Find Youth Info
-This is a link to the site for the New York Initiative for Children with Incarcerated Parent
http://www.osborneny.org/programs.cfm?programID=23