FAMILY-FOCUSED REENTRY PROGRAMS

Whole families are affected when one member goes to prison. While all of the agency’s programs operate using a holistic model for treatment services, we operate specialized family-focused reentry programs that begin working with a parent while s/he is incarcerated and with their parenting partner and children in the community. These programs provide a range of comprehensive services to strengthen family relationships, improve employment opportunities and facilitate family self-sufficiency.

While the parent is incarcerated, s/he lives in a Family Life Center and participates in specialized programming, including parenting classes, cognitive therapy and life-skills classes. In the community, Alvis House staff also work with the parenting partner and children on meeting their individualized needs. The program also provides opportunities for family visitation and family programming at the prison. Once the parent is released, both parents and children continue to participate in family strengthening programs.

These programs are about reentry - but they are also about preventing recidivism and future criminal activity. Research has found that family-based interventions are among the most effective in reducing recidivism. Studies have also found that 70% of juveniles in state reform institutions grew up in single-parent or no-parent situations. By doing more to fix families that have been broken by incarceration, we help to make our community a better, safer place.