CSGJC providing training and technical assistance to Second Chance Act children of incarcerated parents grantees

The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center will continue providing training and technical assistance (TTA) to Second Chance Act (SCA) Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children (COIP) grantees and to advance evidence-based practices (EBPs) to support families in the broader reentry field.

The CSG Justice Center will work with current and new grantees to develop, implement, and expand programs and initiatives that are culturally-responsive, family-centered, reflect EBPs, and employ a racial equity lens.  CSG will continue to: 1) provide comprehensive support on planning and implementing programs and initiatives to improve outcomes for incarcerated parents and their children; and 2) elevate promising practices and lessons from grantees to other grantees, the broader reentry field, and policymakers to advance policies and practices that reduce recidivism and improve family outcomes.

The TTA will bolster grantee capacity to maintain family connections, provide supports for incarcerated parents and their children, and incorporate the voices of people with lived experience into their programs and practices, with a focus on reducing recidivism, supporting child development, tailoring services to needs, and improving interactions among families. CSG will help grantees develop strategic goals with short- and long-term outcomes and coordinate information sharing with the field and various stakeholders, including grantee successes and lessons learned. We will also disseminate a national survey to better understand the needs of the field and this population. CSG will create tools and resources to assist with the development and implementation of grantee programs and sustainability, support grantees in documenting service delivery and program impact, host a second Learning Forum in coordination with OJJDP, and maintain a greater presence at fieldwide convenings.