This document discusses the Oklahoma Messages project, which aims to support children of incarcerated parents. The project provides activities to maintain contact between parents and children, parent education programs, and resources to strengthen the parent-child relationship. It highlights that over 27,000 Oklahoma children have an incarcerated parent. The Messages Project records incarcerated parents reading books to their children on DVD. Evaluation found the project reduced children's depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues while improving bonding with caregivers and reading skills. Over 10,000 messages have been recorded since 1999.

1. by Cheri Fuller
Executive Director
Supporting Children
of Incarcerated
Parents
redeemingthefamily.org
6 September 2013
Oklahoma City, OK

2. www.redeemingthefamily.org

3. redeemingthefamily.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdiBQ4tMyxQ

4. http://oica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Children-of-Incarcerated-Parents-Report-January-1-2012.pdf

5. 1.To support activities to maintain contact between
incarcerated parents and minor children when in the
best interest of the children

6. 2.To improve the parent-child relationship with more
parent education

7. 3.To help support a healthy and strong parent-child
relationship

8. The Oklahoma Messages project is...

9. “More than 27,000 children in Oklahoma have at least one
parent in prison.That's 3 percent of the child population.”
www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/8749763261
www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Incarceration_rates_affect_Oklahoma_kids/20101012_11_a1_wtkaoa319509

10. www.flickr.com/photos/bingramos/75258722

11. redeemingthefamily.org

12. Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIPs) are at higher risk for:
academic failure substance abuse
delinquency
www.flickr.com/photos/86530412@N02/8226451812 www.flickr.com/photos/lifementalhealthpics/8485857200
www.flickr.com/photos/xtinamilan/3042222548

13. Without intervention:
5-6 times higher rate to enter prison
www.flickr.com/photos/sercasey/251142094

14. In some Oklahoma school districts 75% of
children are affected by parental incarceration.
(Dr. Susan Sharp, University of Oklahoma)
75%
www.flickr.com/photos/reckless_sniper/3829904814

15. The Messages Project is:
incarcerated parents reading books to their children on DVD

16. The Messages Project is:
incarcerated parents receiving training from volunteers

17. The Messages Project is:
a prevention and intervention
program for childrenwww.flickr.com/photos/dottiemae/5393993016

18. redeemingthefamily.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdiBQ4tMyxQ

19. redeemingthefamily.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdiBQ4tMyxQ

20. Outcomes & Impact
redeemingthefamily.org

21. Spring 2011 Caregiver
Survey Results
88% of children experienced less depression and sadness,
along with improvement in emotional well-being
88%

22. Spring 2011 Caregiver
Survey Results
50% of children were less anxious and
worried about their parents
50%

23. Spring 2011 Caregiver
Survey Results
50% of children reported less anger and acting out
50%

24. Additional
Benefits:
bonding
with
caregivers
act out
less
at school
reading skills
improve
lower
recidivism
www.flickr.com/photos/12327292@N00/3551019373 www.flickr.com/photos/usaghumphreys/7891451098
www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/3537327425 www.flickr.com/photos/irteza/4330754374

25. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQulk_PknPE
redeemingthefamily.org

26. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQulk_PknPE
redeemingthefamily.org

27. Over 10,000 messages recorded for CIPs since 1999

28. 2008
2012
http://redeemingthefamily.org/2013/04/04/volunteer-organization-of-the-year-for-oklahoma/
Volunteer
Organization
of theYear for
Oklahoma

29. importance
of
supporting
children’s
literacy
www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/5913123665

31. family reunification
www.flickr.com/photos/hendry/5289517315

32. What CanYou Do?
redeemingthefamily.org

33. by Cheri Fuller
Executive Director
Supporting Children
of Incarcerated
Parents
redeemingthefamily.org
6 September 2013
Oklahoma City, OK