B2 - Children of Incarcerated Parents in the Child Welfare System: Challenges and Best Practices

This workshop will present information on working with children of incarcerated parents involved in the child welfare system. Participants will learn about the developmental impact on children affected by family separation due to incarceration, with a focus on attachment theory and trauma. The workshop will also present innovative ideas and best practices for engaging these families.  San Mateo County Department of Human Services will present their program, Service Connect, designed to reduce recidivism.  The program’s focus is to provide family driven services for recently released adults and their children as a crucial method to strengthen families, promote improved outcomes for children, and to end the cycle of incarceration.

Presenters: Ann Adalist-Estrin, National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated, Family and Corrections Network, Jenkintown, PA; Kathleen Creamer, Community Legal Services, Philadelphia, PA; Kristi Chauvin Baker & Pastor Andre Harris, San Mateo County Human Services Agency, Redwood City, CA