Portraits of Prison-Connected Youth: Analyzing the Impact of Support Programs for Children of Incarcerated Parents

• In Event: 29.015 - Pro Bono Education Research Service Projects (ERSPs): AERA's ERSP Initiative

Abstract

In partnership with Foreverfamily, Inc., a non-profit in Atlanta, Georgia, that supports children of incarcerated parents, we sought to train the staff in qualitative methodology, collect data on particular programmatic elements that best support educational outcomes and empowerment for prison-connected youth, and create a digital archive with participants’ narrative portraits. Our research showed that the organization offers participants: (1) a connection to a family-like community that supports the whole child, (2) love in many forms, including professional support, care for families’ circumstances, and high expectations for youth’s behavior, and (3) ongoing growth and development, including academic, social, and communication skills for youth and their entire families. The portraits website can be found at http://foreverfamilyportraits.weebly.com. The research and portraits website and research outcomes will be used to apply for future grants to further the organization’s mission.

Authors

• Alyssa Hadley Dunn, Michigan State University

• Darius Johnson, Michigan State University

• Justin Avery Coles, Michigan State University