Parenting classes are held year around in ten week sessions at the women's unit in Newport and the men's correctional units throughout the state. Topics covered include child development, positive discipline, anger management, social and emotional concerns, and special issues of parenting from prison and future reunification.
Parenting classes for those reuniting with their families are held weekly in central Arkansas at various locations. Topics include stages of reunification, pitfalls to avoid after release for parents, and resetting expectations.
There are 33,000 grandparent care-givers in Arkansas along with other relatives. Support groups are held in Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Parenting help, resources, and some case management are available.
A child with a mother in prison will most likely be living in a relative's home. These caregivers need support, information, and resources. By coming together as a group, they learn to advocate for themselves and other caregivers, develop leadership skills, and enhance parenting skills for the "second time around." There are other reasons that relatives step forward to care for children of kin, including death of a parent, addiction of a parent, or neglect or abuse by a parent.
What You Should Know (Word document - 119K)
This is a new program that provides literacy support and education for families with an incarcerated parent.
We provide training, resources, and workshops for those working with families and children with an incarcerated parent. For information contact Dee Ann Newell.