Training Topics

• An introduction to NYS Department of Correctional Services and its prisons, policy and practice as related to children and families.
• Grief, relief, worry, fear, confusion—what children of prisoners may feel
• A day in the visiting room- how it looks and how it feels.
• What children really think/feel about prison visiting
• Working with young children of prisoners
• Prisoners’ children and the school environment
• Special issues of teenagers who have parents in prison
• Prisoners’ children in juvenile facilities
• How to respond in difficult moments
• The importance of confidentiality
• Why prisoners’ children need to know the truth
• How to encourage success
• Health care issues of prisoners’ children and their families/caregivers
• Mental health care issues of prisoners’ children and their families/caregivers
• Children at risk vs. children with great potential—“when was anyone ever at risk of doing anything positive?”
• Seeing prisoners’ children as experts in this area
• The importance of being with others in similar situations (peer support, safe spaces)
• Mentoring children of prisoners
• Issues of the caregivers
• Preparation for workers who accompany children on prison visits
• Reunification and feelings it can bring about (positive and negative)

Cecily J. Coleman
Prison Families of New York, Inc.
40 North Main Avenue
Albany, NY 12203

518-453-6659

childrenofprisoners@nycap. rr.com