Children are often dealing with serious, adult challenges. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, nearly six million U.S. children have experienced the loss of a parent to incarceration, a figure supported by the Pew Charitable Trust, which reports that 1 in 28 children currently has a parent in prison. The impact of parental incarceration is severe, but children are also deeply affected when any close family member—such as a sibling or grandparent—is incarcerated. The trauma from such separation mirrors that caused by divorce or the death of a loved one.
Children with incarcerated loved ones face both physical and emotional struggles. Physically, families may experience food insecurity and homelessness. Often, children display behavioral issues stemming from anger, frustration, and embarrassment. The disruption at home can lead to difficulties concentrating on schoolwork, causing them to fall behind academically. Children may also suffer from untreated depression due to the absence of a caregiver and the stress of prison visits, which contribute to fatigue and emotional withdrawal. This isolation can worsen if the remaining caregiver focuses primarily on the incarcerated family member, neglecting the child’s needs. The result is often social isolation, whether from family limitations or shared stigma.
Extended Family programs support children affected by incarceration. Through our Extended Family for Kids (EFK) and Extended Family Leadership Academy (EFLA) programs, we focus on three key goals: breaking the cycle of incarceration by teaching healthy coping skills and character development to lead to better decision making, preventing youth from entering the juvenile justice system, and ensuring that every child recognizes their value and understands “You matter.” These programs help restore self-esteem and empower children to envision and pursue a brighter future, despite the challenges they face through their loved one’s incarceration.
Our evidence-based, solution-oriented approach equips children with the tools they need to succeed, and we are committed to making EFK and EFLA programs available to every child who needs them. For more information on bringing these programs to your community, please visit our website, www.extendedfamilyhelp.org.
