H.I.P

Hope, Inspiration, Protection

Mentoring for Children of Prisoners

MENTORING

Mentoring is an opportunity. It is an opportunity for an adult to be a positive influence in a child’s life. By spending time with a child as a good friend, a mentor can create a world of difference in that child’s experience. There are many children in our society who have one or both parents who are incarcerated. This situation almost always means trauma for the child. In order to minimize the negative effects of this trauma, a responsible adult needs to step in and provide a positive role model for the child. In addition to being a positive role model a mentor must be an objective observer, an encourager, a fun companion and a good listener. This kind of companionship for a child can change what could be a negative perspective into something very positive. The time a mentor spends with a child is an investment in the truest sense of the word.

Qualifications & Requirements

• To be 21 years of age
• To be of good character
• To pass a criminal background screening
• To pass a screening for previous child abuse or neglect
• To demonstrate a propensity for learning how to serve the special needs of a particular group of children
• To be willing to commit to at least one year of service
• To be willing to understand the child in the context of the child’s family
• To be willing to be responsible for the safety of the child while in their company
• To be willing to accept the joy of an experience of a lifetime
• To be willing to accept recognition

Grant for mentoring

In October of 2003 a federal grant was made to the state of Arkansas to provide funds for a mentoring program. The mentoring program would not be exactly like others already operating, but instead would address the needs of a special group. The special group of children to be mentored are children of parents who are incarcerated.

The objective of this mentoring program is to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. Studies show that children of parents who have been incarcerated are seven times as likely to experience incarceration themselves.

One method of breaking a strong intergenerational cycle is to provide an intervention. Mentoring has been shown to be an effective intervention with youth and families throughout the country. Many types of mentoring programs exist as a strong encouragement to children. Committed volunteers are the very backbone of mentoring programs. To volunteer as a mentor is to make a profound and valuable contribution to the life of a child.

A strong indication of the need for mentoring of children with parents in prison is illustrated by the number of children at risk. The Center for Youth and Families in Little Rock has estimated that there exists 50 to 60 thousand children in Arkansas who have at least one parent in prison or jail. These numbers are significant and indicate an enormous need for mentoring. The federal grant and matching state funds will allow the mentoring program to reach an estimated 1,300 children over a three year period.

There are 21 counties in Arkansas that will receive the focus of the mentoring program. Those counties include Pulaski, Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Drew, Craighead, Poinsett, Faulkner, Perry, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lee, Phillips, Mississippi, St. Francis, Washington, Benton, Miller, Hempstead, Little River and Sevier.

CHILDREN AT RISK

Children of incarcerated parents have experienced multiple traumas. These traumas occur often as a result of drug or alcohol addiction. Another trauma is poverty and all the stress that comes with it. Other traumas might be constant residential relocation and the likelihood of witnessing their parents being arrested. Still another trauma and perhaps the most difficult for the children is being separated from their parents for significant periods of time. These traumas take time to heal. If these children don’t receive help in the healing process they often develop behavior problems, school difficulties, drug or alcohol problems and possibly incarceration for their own criminal behavior.

BENEFITS OF MENTORING

• Experience with a responsible adult role model
• Friendship with a caring adult
• Having someone outside the family who will listen
• Educational enrichment
• Recreational enrichment
• Group interaction
• Increased connection with the community
• Recognition of achievement
• Personal support
• Improved family relationships
• Increase in positive growth and development
• Improved peer relationships

If you or anyone you may know may be interested in mentoring children with parents in prisons. Please contact:

Dr. Paul Batson:
Child Care Resource & Referral Center 614 East Emma
Springdale, AR 72764
Phone 479-751-3463
FAX 479-751-1110
jbatson@jtlshop.jonesnet.org