OCCY Announces Toolkit for Families and Caregivers Experiencing Incarceration

Children and caregivers have many things in common when it comes to having a family member who’s been incarcerated.  In an effort to answer questions, and provide helpful resources, the Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Advisory Committee at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) announces the 2022 Children of Incarcerated Parents Toolkit.

The toolkit is designed to provide information that supports anyone in the community who may be experiencing incarceration.  By giving readers access to a wealth of information about incarceration, the goal of the toolkit is to help answer questions that may arise. 

The toolkit has numerous topics ranging from family support programs, tips for caregivers and educators, as well as ways to find answers to questions asked about the arrest or incarceration of a family member. 

Inside, readers will discover a large list of programs, agencies and services that offer support for families experiencing incarceration.  The hope is that the toolkit will help individual, community and familial strengths facilitate recovery and build resilience – especially when a child has questions about the incarceration of their family member.

Also included in the toolkit are resources for policymakers and lawmakers.  There is a list of several research studies, facts and resources concerning the effects of incarceration. 

The CIP Advisory Committee and OCCY understands that each child and caregiver’s experience is unique – that’s why they would like to invite you to explore the 2022 CIP toolkit.  Their wish is that you find the usefulness of the resources it provides and they ask that you share it with anyone you believe might need it.

To read the OCCY CIP Toolkit, click here.