B''more Reconnects: Strengthening Families During and After Incarceration

This program will promote and expand services in detention and correctional facilities to incarcerated individuals and their minor children younger than age 18, and provide services to children of incarcerated parents by facilitating access to services that support their needs. This program will provide states and localities with funding to implement positive family engagement strategies and activities that address the needs of incarcerated parents and their minor children.

The City of Baltimore and the Institute for Innovation & Implementation at the University of Maryland, with the Baltimore City Health Department, will use funding to operate “B’More Reconnects” in support of minor children from Baltimore City whose parents are or were recently incarcerated. The project will work with local partners to expand services before and upon reentry to promote developmentally appropriate parenting skills and provide training for correctional officers to safeguard children and families during visitation. The project will also examine visitation policies to make visits more family friendly and support the delivery of community-based services upon reentry. CA/NCF