Child Welfare
How many children are affected by having a parent in prison?
Approximately 1.25 million children.
What year was the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) established?
1997
Does parental incarceration affect only the incarcerated individual or the entire family?
Entire family.
What program allows eligible incarcerated mothers to stay with their newborn babies?
Prison nursery programs.
What is 1 important role social workers have when supporting children who have a parent incarcerated?
Providing families with access to resources, cope with trauma, support maintain a healthy family connection.
What are 3 challenges children may experience when a parent is incarcerated?
Academic challenges, financial hardship, emotional discomfort, stigma, or housing insecurity.
After how many months in foster care must states generally initiate termination of parental rights proceedings, subject to exceptions?
15 out of the most recent 22 months.
Name 2 emotional challenges children may experience when a parent is incarcerated.
Any 2: Sadness, anxiety, anger, fear, shame, or isolation.
What are 2 ways incarcerated parents can maintain contact with their children without in-person visits?
Calls and letters.
Name 2 resources/services social workers can help families access.
Any 2: Transportation assistance, mental health services, counseling, visitation programs, or family support resources.
Why is parental incarceration considered a child welfare concern instead of just a criminal justice issue?
Affects family stability, child development, caregiving arrangements, and children's well-being.
What major concern did ASFA create for incarcerated parents who are serving longer sentences?
Parents losing their parental rights even when trying to maintain relationships with their children.
How can incarceration affect a family's financial and housing stability?
It can create financial hardship, housing insecurity, and additional economic pressure on the caregivers.
What program allowed mothers to visit with their children in a more natural environment?
Mother Offspring Life Development (MOLD) program.
Why is it important to educate caregivers about how trauma can influence children's behavior?
In order for caregivers to have a better understanding with children's reactions and teach them how to respond with patience and understanding rather than punishment.
Which group is disproportionately affected by incarceration and its related policies?
Families of color.
What 3 areas should child welfare professionals focus on when working with families affected by parental incarceration?
Supporting parent-child visits, including incarcerated parents in case planning, and working toward reunification if when appropriate.
Why might children feel uncomfortable or intimidated during prison visits?
It could be security procedures, surveillance, uncomfortable visiting spaces, and limited physical contact.
What type of assistance did the Family Visiting Program in New York provide to the families?
Free bus transportation services.
Any 2: Travel distance, transportation costs, work schedules, childcare, and correctional facility restrictions.
How can parental incarceration affect a child's emotional, behavior, and academic development?
Can contribute to emotional difficulties, behavioral challenges, developmental delays, and academic struggles.
Why can the ASFA timeline create challenges when balancing family reunification with a child's need for permanency?
Parents may serve sentences longer than the ASFA timeline, potentially creating a conflict between reunification efforts and the child's need for permanency.
Why should social workers consider a child's safety and individual needs before encouraging them to contact an incarcerated parent?
Contact may not always be safe or beneficial, specifically when the parent-child relationship was previously harmful.
Why are child-friendly visitation programs important in order to maintain parent-child relationships?
Creates more comfortable environment for children to interact with parents and help preserve meaningful family connections.
What services/resources should be included in an advocacy program to support children and families affected by parental incarceration?
Transportation, child-friendly visitation, affordable communication options, and counseling through schools or community clinics.