Working Effectively with Children of the Incarcerated, their Parents and Caregivers
These video modules are designed to help social workers and other social service providers understand the particular needs of families with an incarcerated parent and learn effective practices in working with children of the incarcerated, their parents and caregivers.
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Videos
Click on the modules listed below to see a summary of the content in each module and a link to the powerpoint slides. Before watching a video, open the PowerPoint slides for the section you are viewing.
There are also two links at the bottom of this page: a summary of resources that the speakers refer to, and a summary of relevant legislation and policies.
Video Training Modules:
Introduction
This section includes an overview of all of the training modules, information on incarceration in the United States and the prevalence of parental incarceration, and research documenting the emotional, behavioral and developmental effects on children having an incarcerated parent.
Watch the video (21 min 15 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Voices of Youth Panel
In this panel, youth who have had an incarcerated parent and been involved in the child welfare system talk about their personal experiences and the impact parental incarceration has had on their lives.
Watch the video (15 min 24 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Navigating Practice Challenges: Children
This section discusses visitation and contact between incarcerated parents and their children, Children's Administration policy regarding visitation, mentoring and other supports and services for youth with incarcerated parents, connecting youth to mental health and chemical dependency treatment, youth in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JRA) and Victim/Witness concerns.
Watch the video (41 min 33 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Voices of Parents Panel
In this panel, parents who have experienced incarceration and been involved in the child welfare system talk about their personal experiences and provide suggestions to social workers on how to work effectively with parents in prison or jail.
Watch the video (15 min 22 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Navigating Practice Challenges: Caregivers
This section outlines supports available to relative caregivers and foster parents caring for a child of an incarcerated parent.
Watch the video (18 min 33 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Navigating Practice Challenges: Parents
This section covers the following topics: locating a parent in prison or jail, legal obligations to provide services to parents while incarcerated, ways to work effectively with incarcerated parents, housing impacts, child support debt obligations and how parents can request child support modifications, and the impact of the Adoption Safe Families Act (ASFA) and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
Watch the video (22 min 45 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Partner Agency Panel
This panel includes representatives from the Department of Corrections, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Public Defense, and GALs/CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Each participant speaks about services and supports available through their agency for incarcerated parents and/or their children, and suggests ways that social workers can partner with other agencies to assist families.
Watch the video (30 min 38 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Impact on Community
This section concludes the training modules by focusing on the impact of incarceration on communities and outlining the legislation and other efforts taking place in the State of Washington and nationally to address the needs of children of the incarcerated and their families.
Watch the video (8 min 16 sec)
PowerPoint Slides
Resources
Summary of Resources
Legislation and Policies
