Congressman Carson to Host Briefing on the Children of Incarcerated Parents

Washington, D.C. – On December 4, Rep. André Carson (D-IN) will host a briefing in partnership with Volunteers for America, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Sesame Workshop on issues affecting the children of incarcerated parents. Notably, the popular children's program Sesame Street recently added a character named Alex who is the child of an incarcerated parent.

The United States continues to lead the world in the rate of incarceration with over 2.3 million people behind bars. More than half of the incarcerated population are parents of children 18 years or younger.

Volunteers of America in Indianapolis is doing a fantastic job supporting these families. This afternoon, in partnership with the Marion County Commission on Youth and WFYI, Volunteers of America will host a free training session for service providers who want to support children with incarcerated parents.

Rep. Carson says, "Incarceration affects the whole family, so it is important that we support children who are at critical developmental stages and struggling to cope with a parent behind bars and the resulting instability. I am proud to help highlight this pressing issue facing many American families."

Earlier this year, Sesame Workshop released Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration, a toolkit that helps children and caregivers cope during a parent's incarceration.

Since 1896, Volunteers of America has been serving prisoners and their families. In 2009, Volunteers of America launched a five year pilot project – Look Up and Hope: Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration. Through its holistic, research-based approach, the program works specifically with families affected by maternal incarceration and provides support to the child, caregiver, and mother.

Joining Rep. Carson in this bi-partisan effort will be Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Jim Renacci (R-OH) and SenatorsChuck Grassley (R-IA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

What: Congressional briefing on Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration and the policy challenges and opportunities posed by children of incarcerated parents.

When: 2–3:30 p.m. EST. Cookies, milk and photographswith Cookie Monster from 3:30–4 p.m.

Where: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Congressional Meeting Room -- North

Reps. Carson and Reichert will welcome participants followed by experts on the issue including:

• Mike King, president and CEO, Volunteers of America
• Lynn Chwatsky, Vice President, Community Engagement Initiatives and partnerships, Sesame Workshop
• Shannon Schumacher, Chief Operating Officer, Volunteers of America Indiana
• Dr. Kirk Harris, Senior Advisor, Fathers, Families and Healthy Communities
• Jessica Meyerson, senior director of research and outcomes, Volunteers of America