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Protect Children of Incarcerated Parents
SIGN THIS PETITION
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Signatures
268 out of 1,000Petitioning
- Danny Davis and The Second Chance Act Sponsors (http://reentrypolicy.org/jc_publications/text_of_SCA)
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Leading Youth to be "College Bound"
-1 in 43 American children has a parent in prison.*
-In 2007, about half (52%) of all incarcerated men & women were parents.*
- 22% of all minor children with a parent in prison are under the age of 5 years old.*
Silent Victims of Crime are the 1.7 million children of incarcerated parents (who were the primary caregivers prior to arrest). These children are routinely overlooked and displaced to potentially unsafe environments following the arrest of a caregiver. Lack of intervention on behalf of these children may be a contributing factor towards unhealthy, unstable, and reduced levels of overall well-being of these youth and their future choices and experiences.
We need your support so a law is passed to protect these children.
According to The Second Chance Act, Public Law 110-199, when addressing the needs of children of incarcerated parents it is important to have "maintenance of the parent-child bond during incarceration, having parental self-improvement, as well as having parental involvement in planning for the future and well-being of their children” (Second Chance Act, P.L. 110-199, pg. 35, sec. 243). Currently there are limited resources fostering these.
We have created a petition that addresses the needs of children of incarcerated parents. This petition can change the lives of these children.
Our proposal is to question the caregiver at time of intake. If they acknowledge that they have children, they are offered the opportunity to obtain the assistance of a "Family Advocate". A "Family Advocate's" sole role is the welfare and safety of the children, which is similar to a "Guardian ad Litem". The "Family Advocate" can interact with the caregiver on behalf of the children, while maintaining the parental involvement throughout the process.
The hope is that a more supportive system will mediate the repercussions of having an “unavailable” parent.
Our interest is to ensure that the children are raised in a stable environment where education and well-being are encouraged.
Leading Youth to be "College Bound."
*The Sentencing Project. Research & Advocacy for Reform. February 2009
Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures
Take action by sponsoring a bill that protects children of incarcerated parents.
Greetings,
I just signed the following petition addressed to: Danny Davis.
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Take action by sponsoring a bill that protects children of incarcerated parents.
-One in 43 American children has a parent in prison.*
-In 2007- half (52%) of all incarcerated men & women were parents.*
-22% of all minor children with a parent in prison are under the age of 5 years old.*
*The Sentencing Project. Research & Advocacy for Reform. February 2009
Leading Youth to be "College Bound"
Children of Incarcerated Parents are the 1.7 million Silent Victims of Crime. These children are routinely overlooked and displaced to potentially unsafe environments following the arrest of a parent (primary caregiver). Lack of intervention on behalf of these children may be a contributing factor towards future negative behavior and overall well-being.
We are proposing that when a parent is going through the intake process and has acknowledged having children, the parent will then have the opportunity to obtain a "Family Advocate." The “Family Advocate” who would be similar to a “guardian ad litem” would interact with the parents, and other family members, in making decisions that would benefit the children.
Our ultimate goal is what is best for the children, by creating a stable environment that would ultimately lead them to be “College Bound.”
We are Leading Youth to be "College Bound"
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Sincerely,
[Your name]