YES Summit JANUARY 24, 2014 BY: LORENZO HENDERSON BELOIT POLICE DEPARTMENT

What is the single greatest threat to a child's welfare today in America?  According to an International Human Rights Organization…

What is the scope of this problem?  2.7 million children have a parent in prison  Roughly 1 in 9 African American children have a parent in state or federal prison  Approximately 1 in 28 Latino children have a parent serving time compared to 1 in 57 Caucasian children.

What other challenges do children of incarcerated parents face?  Adverse childhood experiences associated with an incarcerated parent  Children of incarcerated parents experience similar pain as other children whose parents are also not in the home.  Greater risk of poverty and instability in the home

Although the call to arms on this issue is finally gaining momentum…  Two unlikely advocates have tried to spotlight this tragedy  President Bush 2003 State of the Union speech  Nylo's Story

What can be done to change this…  Being in prison should not stop you from parenting  We have to encourage and support parents in prison to maintain and strengthen relationships with their children  Just because a parent has failed as a citizen does not mean you have to fail as a parent

Bonding Beyond Bars Phase 1  Pilot project enhancing parental relationships for the (5) Rock County Families selected to participate in the program  The incarcerated parent must be willing to play an active role in their child’s life  The prison sentence has to be greater than 12 months

Bonding Beyond Bars Phase 2  The project will align county service agencies for targeted service delivery for the families selected to participate in this initiative.  Reducing the risk factors

Objectives of Bonding Beyond Bars  Forge parental relationships between incarcerated parents and their children  lessen the adverse childhood experiences associated with having a parent in prison  Reduce intergenerational recidivism  Encourage families toward breaking the cycle of governmental dependency

Resources 211.idaho.gov/pdf/COIP_Factsheet.pdf ‎ Center for child and Family well being-UW Madison Urban Institute

Thank you for your time  Questions?  For further questions, feel free to reach me at