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Wilder Foundation
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Minnesota Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration Collaborative

Addressing the strengths and needs of families affected by incarceration in Minnesota

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More than 5 million children in the U.S. have had a parent who lived with them go to jail or prison. 

Incarceration often creates challenges for children and families at home, in school, and in their communities. The collaborative is working to inform and improve practices and policies that address the needs of children, caregivers, and incarcerated parents.

Using data from the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), the collaborative examined who has an incarcerated parent and the affect on academic outcomes, chemical use, and mental health outcomes. 

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Youth Affected Parental Incarceration Infographics

Who Has an Incarcerated Parent in Minnesota

Read the report »

Academic Outcomes Among Youth With Incarcerated Parents in Minnesota

Students who have experienced parental incarceration self-report lower attendance, more discipline issues, and lower grades than their peers. Read the report »

Chemical Use Among Youth With Incarcerated Parents in Minnesota

Youth with parents who are or have been incarcerated face more chemical health concerns than students who have not experienced parental incarceration. Read the report »

Mental Health Outcomes of Youth With an Incarcerated Parent in Minnesota

Youth who have experienced parental incarceration are more likely to report long-term mental health problems compared with youth who have no history of parental incarceration. Read the report »

Health and Health Care Utilization Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Parental Incarceration in Minnesota

Characteristics of Minnesota youth who have experienced parental incarceration and homelessness. Read the report »

Who is Affected by Parental Incarceration?

1 in 6 Minnesota youth has experienced parental incarceration.

Forum Videos

The collaborative hosted a series of forums for school staff, mental health workers, parents, caregivers, correctional facilities staff, and others who interact with youth. The forums included the research about mental health, chemical health, and school outcomes among youth affected by incarceration, as well as personal stories from those affected and the experiences of those working with youth.

Watch more forum videos.

More About the Collaborative

Collaborative Goals

  1. Collect, analyze, and explore additional data needs and collection methodologies.
  2. Create and implement a communication and training plan.
  3. Develop recommendations for policies and practices as they relate to improved family engagement.
  4. Map policies and practices that need change and develop recommendations.

Download Collaborative brochure

Collaborative Members

Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Council on Crime & Justice
Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota
Hennepin County Library
Initiative Foundation
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies
Minnesota Department of Corrections
Minnesota Department of Education
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Minnesota Fathers and Families Network
Parenting with Purpose
Ramsey County Child Support
University of Minnesota
Volunteers of America
Wilder Research

Related Content

Strengthening Families Impacted by Incarceration - Evaluation of Volunteers of America Programs

Read the project »

Five Things About Youth Who Have Had an Incarcerated Parent

​If you work with youth in Minnesota, it’s likely you are working with people who have been affected by parental incarceration, even if you do not realize it. D... Read the article »
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