STUDY TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF INCARCERATION ON CHILDREN
Researchers conduct interviews with Genesee County Adults 10-25 years later
We are looking for youth, caregivers and parents who participated in Project S.E.E.K (Services to Enable and Empower Kids), a program here in Genesee County that focused on children of incarcerated parents, during 1989 to 2004. If anyone is interested in being interviewed or participating in a focus group discussion in Genesee County beginning Saturday August 9th, please contact Carol or Amanda on twitter @ ProjectSEEK15, by email at ProjectSeek15@gmail.com or by phone at 810-308-8701 by August 8th to reserve your space.We want to hear more about their experiences and get their suggestions on how to improve programs to support children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their participation.
Government policies regarding crime and punishment over the past 30 years have led to nearly 7 million people in the United States living under some form of correctional supervision.More than 2.7 million children in the U.S. have an incarcerated parent and approximately 10 million children have experienced parental incarceration at some point. In recent years, national and local leaders have begun to recognize the needs of children of incarcerated parents. Despite a rise in political will, we have very little data on what types of interventions best serve children and families impacted by incarceration. Fortunately, Genesee County is in a position to provide data that can enhance policy and practice in Michigan. With this project, we hope to provide guidelines for best practices for serving children of incarcerated parents—here in Flint and in cities and counties across the nation. Long term outcomes such as criminal justice involvement, employment, education and health status, and coping techniques will be explored.
Project SEEK was an innovative prevention program designed to serve children with a parent in prison, developed and initiated as a pilot demonstration in Genesee County in 1988 by the Michigan Department of Community Health. SEEK is the country’s first (and only) comprehensive program and longitudinal study for children of incarcerated parents. The program was designed to address the risk and protective factors associated with delinquency and criminal behavior at both the individual and family level. The program operated for 16 years and early reports demonstrated less delinquent and antisocial behavior; fewer depressive symptoms and reduced stress.
The research study will be conducted by the Michigan Public Health Institute. For more information about the study please contact Carol F. Burton at (347) 249-7396 (carolb190@aol.com) or Crystal Tyler at (517) 324-7393 (ctyler@mphi.org). If you know of anyone who may be interested in being interviewed or participating in a focus group discussion please contact Carol or Amanda on twitter @ProjectSEEK15, by email at ProjectSeek15@gmail.com or by phone at 810-308-8701
