Communities Inspiring Action:
Children with Incarcerated Parents
Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2010, community dialogues were held at the Hartford Public Library and in several Hartford neighborhoods. Attendees included local business owners, state representatives, neighboorhood residents, law enforcement officers, caregivers of children of an incarcarated parent, city council persons, not-for-profit workers, probation officers, school teachers, persons from the faith-based community, and those who have been formerly incarcerated. Concerns that were addressed included existing barriers in the criminal justice system for children and families, the lack of resources for caregivers, and the negative psychological impact that children face when they have a parent in prison.
During 2010 the citywide and neighborhood dialogues, ideas that were developed at these sessions fell into three categories: the child, the child-parent relationship, and the family. On November 4, 2010, an Action Forum was held to decide on the ideas that would be worked on. Eight (8) ideas were chosen and task forces were established to address each of the ideas.
Click here to learn more about each of the Task Forces
Recent Activity: A joint meeting between the Steering Committees and the Task Force Members was held on December 9, 2010 at the Hartford Public Library.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?
AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2009
Hartford Public Library, Everyday Democracy and Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy want to work together on a project in Hartford
Decide to hold dialogues on issues facing children of incarcerated parents.
The Steering Committee members
DECEMBER 2009
Kick-off event held.
35 people attend
Partner organizations recruited
Planning begins for community-wide dialogue
JANUARY-MARCH 2010
Steering committee plans community dialogue to be held in April
Participants are recruited
APRIL 10, 2010
Community dialogue held at Hartford Public Library
85 people attend
JUNE-JULY 2010
Dialogues held in Northeast, Frog Hollow, and Upper Albany Neighborhoods
11 sessions held.
30 people participate
Overview of the items mentioned in these dialogues
AUGUST – OCTOBER 2010
Information from all dialogues combined and action items identified
Steering Committee planned Action Forum for November
OCTOBER 30, 2010
Youth focus group held
Six teenagers attend.
NOVEMBER 4, 2010
Action Forum held at Hartford Public Library. Actions for change were agreed upon and eight ideas were chosen. A task force was established for each idea and attendees volunteered to actively participate in making change in their community!
DECEMBER 9, 2010
Joint meeting held between the steering committee and the task force members to answer any questions and identify the next steps for working to improve the lives of families in Hartford dealing with parental incarceration. Click here to view the agenda.
