Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents
The Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents was established in 2013 as a workgroup of the ReEntry Task Force of Columbia County. GHICIP quickly gained support from a wide variety of stakeholders in the Greater Hudson community, and in June 2015 joined The Osborne Association’s NY Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents.
In 2017, GHICIP expanded its programming and had many exciting accomplishments.
In 2017 alone, we facilitated 113 visits at the Columbia County Jail for sixteen different families and a total of twenty-four children. In the enhanced visits, unlike booth and traditional contact visits, children are allowed full contact with their parent for a full hour. The Columbia County Jail and GHICIP provide games, coloring supplies, books, and more to keep children occupied and engaged with their parents. Children are also able to bring in homework to complete with their parent, so that they can remain involved in their education and up to date on what children are learning. For children in the city of Hudson, transportation may also be available. In 2017, transportation for 53 visits was provided for children who otherwise would not be able to spend time with their parents.
In addition to our Enhanced Visiting Program, GHICIP staff now also meets one-on-one with parents before they can be approved for the Enhanced Visit Program. These one-on-one sessions with a social worker from GHICIP allows for parents to consult and discuss any relevant information, including ways to maintain connections throughout their incarceration, ways to talk about their situation with their children in an age-appropriate way, concerns or questions regarding enhanced visits, etc. For families who have no previous contact with the Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the children and prepare families for their first enhanced visits, and also explore other ways in which we can support the family.
We have also continued to collect data from incarcerated individuals at the Columbia County Jail biannually. Surveys from 2017 revealed that 65% of incarcerated individuals in the county jail are parents. Interest in support from GHICIP has increased from 60% of surveyed individuals in the Spring of 2017 to more than 80% in the Fall of 2017.
We look forward to continuing this work and expanding our programming. For those in the Greater Hudson area who are impacted by parental incarceration, stay tuned for details on a Youth Support Group to be launched soon.
Monthly meetings are held at the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood Office to discuss action plans and future goals. To attend a meeting or to receive more information, please contact our office at 518-828-5480.
“The mission of GHICIP is to support children impacted by incarceration through education, programming, and policy changes that strengthen families and our community.”
PARTNERS
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
Columbia County Jail
Columbia County Department of Social Services
Other key stakeholders and volunteers directly impacted
Columbia County Department of Human Services
Berkshire Farms Center and Services for Youth
Hudson Community Schools Initiative
Columbia County Probation
ReEntry Columbia
Hudson City School District
Staley B. Keith Social Justice Center
Hudson P.R.O.M.I.S.E Corps (AmeriCorps program)
Sweet Freedom Farm
First Presbyterian Church
Alderwoman Tiffany Garriga (2nd Ward Alderman)
Columbia County Police Department