Children and Families Dealing with Incarceration and Re-Entry
Often it is hard for families who have a family member in jail or prison to handle finances, keep in touch with their loved one, care for their children and keep the family safe and healthy. Children with parents that are locked up need support, as do caretakers for those children. In addition, when a family member returns from jail or prison, the return home can also be challenging.
There are services available at DSHS and from other agencies and groups to provide support and help families meet their needs. Please click on each of the links below to find out more about those services:
New Tools and Resources for Social Service Providers who work with Children of the Incarcerated
Research has shown that as many as 1 in 31 adults in this country are in prison, jail or under some kind of correctional supervision. Even though oftentimes the question isn’t asked, social workers and social service providers often encounter and seek to help children of the incarcerated, their families and caregivers. DSHS’ Children’s Administration and Planning, Performance and Accountability Office have created a new video training available online to help social service providers gain new tools and resources to help work with this community more effectively. Please go to: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/pubs/pubcats.asp?cat=Multi-Media to learn more about this training!
New Training Resource for Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers
Are you caring for a child who has one or more parents in prison or jail? This is a reality for many children in out of home or relative placement. Did you know that even if a parent is incarcerated, they still need to be provided court-ordered services such as visitation? How can you work effectively with social workers and birth parents on this issue, while ensuring that the child(ren) in your care receive the support and services they need? These and many other questions are addressed through a new online video training called Working Effectively with Children of the Incarcerated, their Parents and Caregivers, available at: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/onGoingVid.asp. You can receive credit for each module of the training that you complete.
You may also be interested in viewing a copy of a DSHS publication called Beyond the Walls: A Guide to Services for Families Affected by Incarceration, available at: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/Publications/22-1288.pdf.
A Web-Based Resource Guide
Designed for Social Service Providers Working with Children and Families Affected by Incarceration in Washington State (DSHS 2009). For more information
Connecting to Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Support and Services
Youth that are eligible for Medicaid (medical coupons) can be assessed at mental health agencies contracted through the Regional Support Networks (RSNs), to determine what services might be available.
For a description of mental health services that are provided through the RSNs, and information on youth outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, click here.
For referrals to chemical dependency treatment, call the Alcohol/Drug Helpline: 1-800-562.1240 (within Washington State) or 206-722-3700 (from Seattle or out of Washington State).
For more information on chemical dependency treatment, including “Frequently Asked Questions About Treatment,” and a “Screening Questionnaire for Adolescents,” click here.
To find out more about substance abuse prevention services, read about The Division of Alcohol and Substance abuse’ Prevention Program, including a resource kit and information on prevention programs across the state.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Services
The Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) uses an Integrated Treatment Model in their residential and parole programs that draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy and family therapy. Click here to read more about this model.
For those youth that receive parole after release, JRA uses a service model called Functional Family Parole. Youth and families that qualify for parole receive between 5 and 6 months of services. JRA also connects youth to mentors and other therapeutic programs.
Some low-risk youth are placed into JRA’s Residential Treatment and Care Program (RTCP) as an alternative to placement in a secure institution. Youth are placed in specialized foster homes using Multi-dimensional Treatment Foster Care.
JRA is working with other partners to reduce disproportionate minority contact and confinement. For more information on this initiative, click here.
For a directory of regional offices and information about each of JRA’s facilities, including location, click here. JRA youth also reside in six group homes, some of which have specialized mental health and/or chemical dependency foci. These homes help transition JRA youth back into the community.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash and medical support for qualifying families. Caregivers of children who have an incarcerated parent can receive TANF grants regardless of income (“non-needy grant”). Non-related adults caring for children “in the place of a parent” may also be eligible. Child support cases are automatically opened to help the state pay for the cost of TANF, if there is/are non-custodial parent(s). However kinship caregivers can request that child support not be pursued from a non-custodial parent if it would impact the safety of their home and family (called a “good cause decision to not pursue”). DSHS also operates emergency services programs through the Community Services Offices (CSOs) that provide assistance to eligible families dealing with eviction, lack of food, homelessness, pregnancy medical issues, utility shut off, domestic violence, medical emergencies, non-receipt of benefits, daycare needed due to work, or circumstances that present harm to the client or others.
Medical Assistance
There are multiple medical assistance programs funded and administered by the state. Many programs require individuals to be covered by Medicaid. To find out if your client is eligible for Medicaid, click here. Healthy Options is a Medicaid managed care program for adults and families, including children eligible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The First Steps program provides medical and support services for pregnant women. Apple Health for Kids provides health coverage and affordable health care for children in families with higher income limits. The Family Planning program provides birth control and family planning services for Medicaid-eligible women and men. Adults who qualify for the General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU) program receive GAU managed care health coverage. DSHS medical programs pay for transportation services to get clients to and from needed non-emergency healthcare programs. Medicaid clients receive mental health benefits and chemical dependency services (see section above). DSHS medical programs also include a Smoking Cessation benefit.
Washington Basic Health is a state-sponsored program that provides low-cost health care coverage through private health plans.
Food Assistance
Basic Food is the state’s food stamp program, which many families do qualify for. Participation in Basic Food also includes enrollment in free school meals for school-aged children, and qualification for low-cost local phone services. Families that meet requirements for Basic Food also qualify for the Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. If a client qualifies for food assistance, they will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, otherwise known as a Quest Card. Clients may also benefit from visiting food banks. To see a map of food banks across the state, click here.
Subsidized Telephone Service
The Washington Telephone Assistance program (WTAP) helps low-income households afford telephone services. WTAP discounts phone service, and for those who are not able to get a traditional phone, WTAP also provides no-cost community voice mail.
The Residential Parenting Program at the Department of Correction’s Washington Correction Center for Women (WCCW) allows pregnant, minimum security inmates with sentences of less than 30 months the opportunities to keep their babies with them after giving birth. Children there receive Early Head Start services, and services are supported through specialized financial services from DSHS. Currently those women who have previous Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement are not eligible for this program.
Expedited Medical Assistance
Under HB 1290 (2005), offenders who received medical coupons prior to incarceration are able to be referred prior to release to re-instate their medical coverage, so that they can have medical coverage when they are released. The correctional facility (DOC prison or county jail) needs to refer the offender to DSHS prior to release by looking them up through a free database available from DSHS, the Expedited Medical Determination database (EMD). This database will tell the correctional facility if they’ve received medical coupons in the past. If so, they can be referred to coordinators from the Economic Services Administration (ESA) in each geographic area that receives those referrals to process those benefits.
Regardless of whether they are incarcerated or not, child support debt continues to accrue if child support is unpaid. Therefore it is very important to help parents that are incarcerated or recently released communicate with the Division of Child Support. Non-custodial parents that have a high or unmanageable debt can request a modification of their child support order so that their payments can be reduced. If the non-custodial parent requests a Conference Board hearing, a portion of the debt to the state may be reduced, depending on circumstances. Individuals should start the process by speaking to their local Division of Child Support office.
DSHS operates a Kinship Caregivers Support Program (KCSP) in each county, assisted by Kinship Care Navigators that provide support and resource referrals to kinship caregivers. The KCSP provides short-term supports (funds) for relative caregivers that are not involved in the child welfare system- for food, housing, clothing, school supplies and legal services. They also refer kinship caregivers to state and community resources. Relatives raising children are eligible for “non-needy” TANF grants (financial support regardless of income). For more information see the “economic supports” section above.
You can apply for a range of DSHS services including health care, income support, food stamps and treatment services through the Community Services Office (CSOs) in your area. Find your local DSHS offices.
Publications for Families
DSHS Publications has developed several free publications to help families understand how to access DSHS services, including:
Children and Families of Incarcerated Parents: Understanding the Challenges and Addressing the Needs (DSHS 2007). This publication was created for submission to the statewide Children and Families of Incarcerated Parents advisory committee. It outlines the current challenges faced in serving these families, and recommendations on how to do so more effectively.
Beyond the Walls: A Guide to Services for Families Affected by Incarceration (DSHS 2009). This link will take you to the DSHS publications site, where this guide can be downloaded at no cost in English and Spanish. If you would like to receive printed copies of this guide, please contact Planning, Performance and Accountability at DSHS at 360.902.7803.
Children of DOC Incarcerated Parents Use DSHS Services at Very High Rates(DSHS 2008). This link will take you to a report issued in August 2008 by DSHS’ Research and Data Analysis Division. It includes initial data that matches DSHS data sources to DOC and Department of Health data, to provide information on what services children of incarcerated parents receive, and where they live within the state of Washington.
To find an inmate in a Department of Corrections (DOC) prison, go to the web-based DOC inmate locator. It helps to have the inmate’s full name, date of birth and DOC number.
Community Partnership Program Coordinators at Prisons
The best contact for social workers at prisons to discuss services currently available for inmates is each facility’s Community Partnership Program Coordinator (CPPC). You can also contact the CPPC in the facility with the inmate you are working with to ask them to communicate with the inmate’s correctional counselor and to find out from them what services they are engaging in.
For assistance in working with a parent that has been released and is on probation, speak with their probation officer. Services for adults and families are provided in the community through DOC’s Community Justice Centers (CJCs). DOC probation officers are also stationed in field offices
County Jail Websites
Click on the name of the county to go to or connect to the jail website and/or jail roster for that county jail. Note: not all counties have websites, and/or rosters. If a jail does not have an online roster, call the jail and speak with the Sheriff. Go to the website or call the jail for information on visitation procedures and hours, and available services.
The Veteran’s Incarcerated Project - Washington State Veteran’s Affairs works with incarcerated veterans in King County, providing resources and support.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters operates a Mentoring Children of Promise program that provides mentors to children with parents in state prison. Go to their website and enter in the zip code of the child that needs mentoring to find the office you need to contact.
Girl Scouts of America operates a Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program for daughters of incarcerated mothers. Supportive activities are combined with supervised and meaningful visitation.
Boy Scouts of America operates a Children Of Incarcerated Parents (COIP) program, for sons of incarcerated parents. Supportive activities are combined with visitation. Contact the Boy Scouts of the Chief Seattle Council and ask for the contact for the COIP program.
Volunteers of America operates a Mentoring Children of Promise program for children of incarcerated parents in several areas of the state.
Goodwill Industries Inland Northwest, in partnership with other organizations, operates a Mentoring Children of Promise program in the greater Spokane area.
Powerful Voices provides mentoring to young women in juvenile justice facilities, including youth mothers.
To find an inmate in a Department of Corrections (DOC) prison, go to the web-based DOC inmate locator. It helps to have the inmate’s full name, date of birth and DOC number.
Community Partnership Program Coordinators at Prisons
The best contact for social workers at prisons to discuss services currently available for inmates is each facility’s Community Partnership Program Coordinator (CPPC). You can also contact the CPPC in the facility with the inmate you are working with to ask them to communicate with the inmate’s correctional counselor and to find out from them what services they are engaging in.
For assistance in working with a parent that has been released and is on probation, speak with their probation officer. Services for adults and families are provided in the community through DOC’s Community Justice Centers (CJCs). DOC probation officers are also stationed in field offices
County Jail Websites
Click on the name of the county to go to or connect to the jail website and/or jail roster for that county jail. Note: not all counties have websites, and/or rosters. If a jail does not have an online roster, call the jail and speak with the Sheriff. Go to the website or call the jail for information on visitation procedures and hours, and available services.
The Veteran’s Incarcerated Project - Washington State Veteran’s Affairs works with incarcerated veterans in King County, providing resources and support.
The DSHS Victim/Witness Notification Program can help victims and witnesses track the location of the person who victimized them, and notify them when the perpetrator is released, transferred or escapes from a DSHS facility (including the Special Commitment Center for sexual predators, Washington State Psychiatric Hospitals, or a juvenile facility).
The Department of Correction’s Victim Services program offers notification of victims and witnesses when offenders convicted of serious crimes are released or moved within the prison system. They also offer opportunities for victims and witnesses to provide feedback regarding release and transition planning of offenders, safety planning and meetings between victims and offenders (by request). Crime victims may be eligible for compensation through the Department of Labor and Industries’ Crime Victims Compensation Program. Many jails participate in the VINE program, through which victims of crime can be notified of moves and releases from jail of perpetrators of crimes.
DSHS’ Domestic Violence Program provides support for community-based shelters, emergency counseling and legal advocacy, and certifies provider programs. To find programs to treat perpetrators, click here. For a referral to services including domestic violence shelters, call the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-562-6025. For more information about domestic violence services, go to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. For a statewide resource directory of programs for victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking, to go the Washington Violence Against Women Network.
Legal Voice is a source of information and referrals for low-cost legal support. It is primarily focused on women and their children, but provides information relevant to all families on family law and criminal justice.
Department of Commerce
Office of Crime Victims Advocacy: Assists victims of crimes in obtaining protection and services.
The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents (CCIP) This Center is based in California and offers training, technical assistance and local programs to assist families facing parental incarceration.
Families and Corrections Network (FCN)
FCN hosts the National Resource Center on Children and Family of the Incarcerated, a National Resource Center previously managed by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). They offer training opportunities, supportive email lists for families, multiple links to support groups and a reading room including research and relevant information.
Most of the following informational brochures and handouts for caregivers, families, parents and providers were produced by the Family and Corrections Network (FCN).
How to Explain Jails and Prisons to Children: A Caregivers Guide (OR Dept. of Corrections). This booklet contains suggestions for caretakers on how to discuss incarceration with a parent with a young child, and a “story” to read with children to help explain basic concepts.
Visiting Mom or Dad: The Child’s Perspective (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). This handout summarizes what caretakers or visitation providers need to know about the experience of children visiting jails or prisons.
Caring for Children of Prisoners (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). This pamphlet provides helpful information for caregivers and social service providers on the challenges children face at each stage of development when a parent is incarcerated.
Tips for Caregivers- from Caregivers (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). This pamphlet includes tips for caregivers for those who have “been there,” including tips on how to discuss issues with family members.
Questions from Caregivers (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). Frequently asked questions from caregivers are answered, including suggestions on how to address common problems with children.
Communication Tips for Prisoners and Their Families (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). This is a helpful pamphlet for parents to help guide their interactions with their children during in-person visits and other forms of contact.
Why Maintain Relationships? (Adalist-Estrin, FCN). This handout summarizes the advantages for children and families of maintaining contact and visiting.
When your Grandchild’s Parent is in Prison (AARP 2009). This article provides needed information for grandparents who are raising grandchildren with incarcerated parent(s).
To find an inmate in a Department of Corrections (DOC) prison, go to the web-based DOC inmate locator. It helps to have the inmate’s full name, date of birth and DOC number.
Community Partnership Program Coordinators at Prisons
The best contact for social workers at prisons to discuss services currently available for inmates is each facility’s Community Partnership Program Coordinator (CPPC). You can also contact the CPPC in the facility with the inmate you are working with to ask them to communicate with the inmate’s correctional counselor and to find out from them what services they are engaging in.
For assistance in working with a parent that has been released and is on probation, speak with their probation officer. Services for adults and families are provided in the community through DOC’s Community Justice Centers (CJCs). DOC probation officers are also stationed in field offices.
Finding and Working with a Parent in Jail
Jail Websites
Click on the name of the county to go to or connect to the jail website and/or jail roster for that county jail. Note: not all counties have websites, and/or rosters. If a jail does not have an online roster, call the jail and speak with the Sheriff. Go to the website or call the jail for information on visitation procedures and hours, and available services.
Organizations that help coordinate visitation or contact with families
Volunteers of America operates a Words Travel Family Connection program, which works with incarcerated parents to tape them reading books to their children, which are then sent to their children to listen to.
Rebuilding Families Inc. (RFI) works with eligible women to help them re-enter their community. RFI also offers “The Little Bus that Could” visitation program that busses children to women’s prisons to help mothers rebuild a trusting relationship with their children.
Matthew House supports the families of people incarcerated in Washington’s prisons with a clothing closet, a food pantry, shelter in three apartments, transportation to prisons, childcare and adult counseling.
COMPASS/Green Park School provides mentoring, support groups, video/web visiting, parent education, re-entry support, information and referrals. Contact COMPASS by emailing: mkhause@bmi.net, or call (509) 527-3077.
Department of Corrections: Services for Parents and Families, and Contacts
Contacts and service information when a person is in prison:
Social workers and staff can contact the Community Partnership Program Coordinators (CPPCs) in each prison to determine the currently available services to parents and families at each facility, and the types of programs they offer.
Airway Heights Corrections Center
Molly Peringer
PO Box 1899
Airway Heights, WA 99001
(509) 244-6752
Ahtanum View Corrections Center
Ronald Farino
2009 South 64th Ave.
Yakima, WA 98903
(509) 573-6361
Cedar Creek Corrections Center
Sue Sheldon
PO Box 37
Littlerock, WA 98556
(360) 753-7278 x601
Clallam Bay Corrections Center
Tanja Cain, acting CPPC
LeAnne Fletcher, CPPC
1830 Eagle Crest Way
Clallam Bay, WA 98326
(360) 963-3203
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
Maggie Edler
PO Box 769
Connell, WA 99326
(509) 543-5906
Larch Corrections Center
Nancy Simmons
15314 NE Dole Valley Rd.
Yacolt, WA 98675
(360) 260-6300 x215
McNeil Island Corrections Center
Kim Govreau
PO Box 88900
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 512-6589
Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women
Patricia McGill
3420 NE Sand Hill
Belfair, WA 98528
(360) 277-2400
Monroe Correctional Complex
Marjorie Petersen
PO Box 514
Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 794-2627
Olympic Corrections Center
Dan James
11235 Hoh Mainline
Forks, WA 98331
(360) 374-6181 x343
Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women
Patricia Gaimari
PO Box 300
Medical Lake, WA 99002
(509) 299-2341
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Dawn Taylor
191 Constantine Way
Aberdeen, WA 98520
(360) 537-2029
Washington Corrections Center
Judy Mayo
PO Box 900
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-4599
Washington Corrections Center for Women
Vicki York
9601 Bujacich Road NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 858-4653
Washington State Penitentiary
Karen Gleason, Interim CPPC
1313 North 13th Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-3610 x1232/1239
Contacts and service information when a person is under correctional supervision in the community:
DOC has family specialists located at Community Justice Centers that work with families in their region, including providing parenting classes and other resources.
Family Specialist: Seattle Community Justice Center
Michelle Kaiser
(206) 516-7625
Family Specialist: Spokane Community Justice Center
Kathy Lamb
(509) 363-2737
Family Specialist: Family Services Unit
(Peninsula region and southwest Washington)
Liz Weinandt
(360) 485-8218
For further information regarding these projects, please contact:
Miriam L. Bearse
Correctional Policy Analyst, DSHS
PO Box 45011
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: (360) 902-8250
DSHS is part of a multi-agency and multi-organization effort to evaluate the services and policies available to children and families of incarcerated parents, develop and analyze data available regarding families facing incarceration, and make recommendations regarding service and policy needs.
These efforts within DSHS are housed within the Office of Planning, Performance and Accountability (PPA), led by Senior Director Jody Becker-Green.
DSHS and the Statewide Mentoring Partnership
The 
For further information regarding these projects, please contact: