• An introduction to NYS Department of Correctional Services and its prisons, policy and practice as related to children and families.

• Grief, relief, worry, fear, confusion—what children of prisoners may feel

• A day in the visiting room- how it looks and how it feels.

• What children really think/feel about prison visiting

• Working with young children of prisoners

• Prisoners’ children and the school environment

• Special issues of teenagers who have parents in prison

• Prisoners’ children in juvenile facilities

• How to respond in difficult moments

• The importance of confidentiality

• Why prisoners’ children need to know the truth

• How to encourage success

• Health care issues of prisoners’ children and their families/caregivers

• Mental health care issues of prisoners’ children and their families/caregivers

• Children at risk vs. children with great potential—“when was anyone ever at risk of doing anything positive?”

• Seeing prisoners’ children as experts in this area

• The importance of being with others in similar situations (peer support, safe spaces)

• Mentoring children of prisoners
  
• Issues of the caregivers
  
• Preparation for workers who accompany children on prison visits

• Reunification and feelings it can bring about (positive and negative

Cecily J. Coleman
Prison Families of New York, Inc.
40 North Main Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
518-453-6659
Email