Case Support

Encouraging the Parent-Child Bond

TIPS & ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN

This online website from Sesame Street includes an “app” downloadable to one’s smart phone and other downloadable activities to do with children during visitation and practical tips on how to talk to children about separation and incarceration.

One page sheet with helpful hints on answering difficult questions and connecting through visits.  Author: Sesame Street.

This on-line resource from The Osborne Association (NY) provides video and other resources on supporting children of incarcerated parents. 

This 5-page publication supports communication between incarcerated parents, their children, and their families by recognizing:  “Without communication, their adjustment and long term well being may be compromised.”  practical considerations and suggestions for prevention are included.

 Posted at Justice Center, The Council of State Governments webpage. Visiting is an essential way for families to maintain and strengthen relationships during a family member’s incarceration, particularly for children with incarcerated parents. This brief shares 12 best practices for supplementing in-person visiting with video visiting options. Authored By Megan Pfeiffer, Valerie Carpico, Ann Adalist-Estrin.

Prison Fellowship program supporting children during holidays while their parents are incarcerated.  

Storybook project is a program of Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM) that provides comfort to children each month by offering them a tape recording of their mothers reading books.

WA Department of Corrections program (check with Family Services Division about availability and access to program) focuses on parenting and relationship skills, and Fathers as Readers has dads’ tape recording stories to send home for their children to hear. 

SUPPORTING CHILDREN BEFORE AND AFTER VISITS

This guide is one of many resources published by the The National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated.  The document inculcates tips for preparing children, parents, and caregivers for visiting in jail or prison.  Or find more information on the impact of parental incarceration on children from their Children of Incarcerated Parents Library.

This online website from Sesame Street includes an “app” downloadable to one’s smart phone and other downloadable activities to do with children during visitation and practical tips on how to talk to children about separation and incarceration. 

The brief guide was created for those fostering children whose parents are incarcerated.  It focuses on tips for supporting a child before and after visits, preparing for the child-parent visits, and preparing as caregivers for changes in child behavior before and after visits. 

WA DOC RESOURCES

This external link to resources for travelling to in person visits at WA State prisons.

This external link is to the WA Department of Corrections guidebook for loved ones.  

This external link is to the WA Department of Corrections website reflecting the current programming. The website cautions the following: The Department’s available programming changes frequently. Every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, however, this list may not represent currently available programs at Department facilities. If you have questions about the availability of a program, contact the prison, reentry center, or field office directly to inquire.

A publication on pregnancy and parenting in juvenile detention, providing answers to questions about options, rights, and what to expect while in juvenile detention in WA. Published by Washington Appleseed (2014).