Toolkit for children of incarcerated parents
Date
2025
DOI
Authors
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
This summer, I created a toolkit for children of incarcerated parents as part of my ongoing research under Professor Megan Sullivan. Building on Professor Sullivan’s scholarship on parental incarceration and education, I aimed to address a critical gap in available resources: the lack of accessible, developmentally appropriate tools for children navigating the complex trauma of having an incarcerated parent. Drawing from both academic research and my lived experience, I designed a comprehensive, adaptable resource for use in schools, libraries, and community spaces.
The toolkit integrates curated, age-specific book lists for elementary, middle, and high school students, each paired with summaries and key themes to foster emotional resilience, identity formation, and empathy. It also includes reflective worksheets that encourage self-expression and emotional regulation, as well as specialized activity books for younger audiences. To support educators, caregivers, and advocates, the toolkit features a directory of national organizations, academic literature, and the New York Initiative’s Children’s Bill of Rights, bridging theory and practice.
Fundamentally, the toolkit advances a child-centered framework, responsive to both developmental and emotional realities. Every component of the toolkit is designed to validate children’s experiences, combat stigma, and encourage open communication. By combining storytelling, creative exercises, and evidence-based strategies, this project not only offers immediate support to affected children but also invites institutions to take their educational and emotional well-being seriously. Ultimately, the toolkit represents a step toward equity, advocacy, and community empowerment for one of the most underserved and often invisible populations in our society.
Description
License
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.