Holly Thompson, Kids FirstMary Dennis, Kids Peace

Marie Kalinyak, PFCS

Father involvement improves children’s quality of life

The number of children with an incarcerated father is on the rise

Failing to engage these fathers harms children

Children are: Five times more likley to live in poverty More likely to bring weapons to school More likely to bring drugs to school Twice as likely to commit a crime Twice as likely to drop out of school Twice as likely to be abused More likely to commit suicide More than two times as likely to abuse drugs or

alcohol More likely to become pregnant as a teenager

SOURCE: Father Facts (National Fatherhood Inititive)

“It will just upset the child to see their father in prison.”

“There’s a reason why they are there. Good Dad’s don’t go to prison.”

“He should have thought about that before he committed the crime.”

“Prisons are scary, dangerous places for children.”

Incarceration leads to immediate and long term effects

Increases the chance that children, especially boys, will go to prison

The lack of connection increases the risk of recidivism and decreases the likelihood of successful reentry, including legal employment

Financial Loss and Added Expenses Stigma of Incarceration Loss of Parent/Child Bond Added Stress on Grandparents and Extended

Family Members Costs to the Commnity, Its Systems, and

Society Potential Loss of Parental Rights Family Instability Loss of Intimacy Child-Related Concerns… and more

Maintaining parental engagement and contact/visitation can help the child cope with the situation

Contact and visitation helps sustain the parent/child bond

Maintaining connections can help decrease the rate of recidivism

Maintaining contact helps parents maintain parental rights

Helps with family reunification upon reentry

There are an estimated 138 incarcerated men in the Blair County Prison who are fathers to minor children

Lack of services to support father engagement with their children

No physical contact for visits

Program provides group and individual support to incarcerated fathers in the Blair County Prison

Target Population- any father whose incarceration in excess of 30 days disrupts the relationship with his child(ren) age 12 or younger

Inside Out Dad’s group parenting program

Make and Mail Workshops

Contact Visitation Video Visitation Visit Coaching Family Group

Decision Making Aftercare Services

Inside Out Dad Pre/Post Survey

The survey has a total of 65 questions and covered five areas:

Part A - About You and Your Family (Demographics)

Part B - About Being a Father and Your Relationships

Part C - About Your Fathering Knowledge

Part D - How You Father Today Part E - Your Thoughts on

Fathering

The data gathered spans from April 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 for both assessment tools.

Protective Factors Survey

The Protective Factor Survey is a pre-post evaluation tool that measures protective factors in five areas: family functioning/resiliency, social support, concrete support, nurturing and attachment, and knowledge of parenting/child development. These protective factors are associated with healthy family functioning and a lower risk of child maltreatment.

Data results changes in the participating Father’s perception about the supports and resource available to him.

Inside Out Dad Survey Results

18 Fathers have completed the post-survey

1.5 is the average gain in knowledge for fathers who have completed both portions of the survey

6.33 points is the average gain that reflects that fathers have had a positive shift in their attitude about being a father as a result of their participation in the program.

Protective Factor Survey Results

Nurturing and Attachment was rated as the most significant protective factor at both pre-test (5.89) and post-test (6.01)

Family Functioning is identified as the least significant protective factor both pre-test (4.7) and post-test (2.3)

In comparison to pre- and post-survey scores, fathers showed the highest gains in the area of Social Support (0.5966) while the least amount of growth is seen in Family Functioning (-0.5882) and Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development (-0.5882).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9Mc4xecL0

Troy grew up without having a close relationship with his father. How do you think this impacted Troy as a child and as an adult?

What were your reactions to Xavier’s current relationship with his father?

How can we promote success stories like Troy and Xavier in your county?

How FGDM partnered with the Father Initiative

How conferences are coordinated with incarnated fathers

Obstacles to coordination How the conferences focuses on the re-

entry plan

How has the population you work with been affected by incarcerated fathers?

How can your organization involve incarcerated fathers in a more active way?

What are you already doing to make fathers a part of your service?

How are incarcerated parents incorporated into your family group practice?

“Prison need not be the end of the road but the beginning of an interesting and productive

life”