SKIP Initiative (Support for Kids of Incarcerated Parents)
There is an invisible, yet ever-growing population of “hurting children” in our community—the children of incarcerated parents. Research shows that these children often experience multiple co-existing psychological problems including extreme sadness, withdrawal, low self-esteem, anger and aggression, poor school attendance and performance, early use of drugs and alcohol, and premature sexual activity.  Long-term effects of parental imprisonment include questioning of authority, negative perceptions of the legal system, impaired ability to cope with stress or trauma, and the intergenerational patterns of criminal behavior.

What Do These Children Experience?
Research has found that significant physical absence of a parent or parents has profound effects on a child's development. Children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to be involved in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems than children whose parents are not in prison or jail. If we look at just boys, the latest research figures from Nell Bernstein's book All Alone in the World states that as many as half of all boys whose parents do time will wind up behind bars themselves.
Research over the past decade has shown that children of incarcerated parents often experience multiple co-existing psychological problems including extreme sadness, withdrawal, low self esteem, anger and aggression, poor school attendance and performance, and early use of drugs and alcohol. Without intervention, these children find themselves struggling academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
On a national level, Christopher Mumola, U. S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that one in 33 American children have a parent in jail or prison (Bernstein, 2005). According to 2006 U. S. Census data, there are 74,307 children ages 5-17 in Guilford County. Therefore, approximately 2,251 Guilford County children probably have a parent who is incarcerated. 

What Happens In A SKIP Group?
During a SKIP group, children are given a safe place to share their emotions about having a parent in prison. Throughout the school year, we cover a variety of topics, including making good choices, setting goals, self-esteem, and how it feels to miss the incarcerated parent. Children have an opportunity each week to write or draw something that Tristan's Quest will then send to the incarcerated parent, when appropriate. We also encourage the incarcerated parent to respond back to their child, in the hopes that communication between the child and absent parent will be strengthened.

How Can I Get Involved?
• Volunteer to co-facilitate a SKIP program
• Adopt a school SKIP program (around $1000 will provide weekly support groups for 20 children for one academic year)
• Ask a professional at Tristan's Quest to speak to your group about the special needs of children whose parents are in prison
• Provide clerical support to mail out SKIP materials to incarcerated parents
• Make a donation to Tristan’s Quest
Tristan's Quest staff will be happy to come and talk about starting SKIP at your school. Tristan's Quest will help schools identify students who fit this population, and will assist in completing interviews with caregivers to explain the program and gain permission, as needed. Once the group starts, a Tristan's Quest volunteer and the school social worker or counselor will co-facilitate these groups together. Tristan's Quest staff will as a resource for any questions that might arise.

How can my child join a SKIP group?
SKIP groups are currently running in many elementary schools in Guilford County.  If your child has an incarcerated parent and you would like them in a group, either call the school counselor or school social worker to find out if SKIP is at your child’s school, or call Tristan’s Quest.
If SKIP groups are not currently running at your child’s school, we can work with school staff to establish SKIP groups.

Quotes about SKIP

(from incarcerated parents)

• “I think the SKIP program is a wonderful program, because being lock up sometimes you don't get to hear from your child, and with SKIP you get to hear from your child every week and he helps me keep in touch with my son”
• “The SKIP program was a life changing experience for me.  I don't see my child as much as I would like.  SKIP, it gave my daughter a chance to reach out to me, and to let me inside of her 8-year-old heart”
•“This is an excellent program which helps to strengthen the child, parent relationship and helps promote keeping in contact to ensure a good bond is continued during a parents incarceration.  I realize this is very important in ensuring a good quality life for a child now and in the future.”
• “Thank you very much for your involvement in the SKIP program.  It’s very nice to be able to stay in touch with my daughter.  Her pictures/ letters have really been both uplifting and inspiring.  SKIP has really made a difference in both of our lives, along with making this time apart for each other more bearable.  I really appreciate what you and your organization does for us parents who are away from our children.  SKIP makes a difference and adds to the quality of relationships we have with our kids.  Thank you sincerely from my heart.”

(SKIP children responses to the survey question ‘if SKIP helped me, this is how’)

•“That I've been better in school than usual, and that they've helped me a lot with my anger”
• “it helped me because I know that I am not the only person [with a parent in prison]”
• “Don't be like my dad and get in trouble”
• “Letting out my anger and I share my feelings”
• “understanding my dad and where he is”

(SKIP children responses to the survey question ‘what is the most important thing you have learned from SKIP this year’)

• “Its not my fault that my daddys in jail”
• “I have learned make right choices”
• “to express your feelings”
• “learn to be the best I can be”
• “that I learned it is [all] right to tell how [I’m]  feeling to your mom/ dad in jail”

For more information about SKIP, contact:

Amy Lynn Rhoderick, SKIP Coordinator     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tristan’s Quest, Inc.     115-A S Walnut Circle, Greensboro, NC       Ph.: 336-547-7461    Fax: 336-292-6133