As the prison population has grown, the number of children with an incarcerated or previously incarcerated caregiver has grown as well. In the United States, 79% of the prison population is comprised of individuals with children.
The Parents as Teachers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) council recently hosted a virtual town hall meeting to hear from panelists that are currently serving this unique population. Attendees learned information about how caregivers impacted by incarceration were identified from the Parents as Teachers 2020–2021 Affiliate Performance Report, best practices. They unpacked successes and challenges, and explored creative ways that affiliates are making model faithful adaptations to the curriculum to best meet the needs of their families.
Also, in recognition of Black History Month, the DEIA council hosted an online forum called “Black Reflections Our Story.” The forum encouraged participants to share their personal experiences on how Blackness has impacted their lives through art, poetry, sports, friendships, etc.