What is Extended Family for Kids?
Extended Family for Kids is a solution-based program for children who have an incarcerated family member. This innovative program offers unique, inventive sessions in a ready-to-use format. Designed in a detailed structure, it is flexible enough to modify for various age groups and settings. For example, it can be implemented in a weekly group setting or offered in daily sessions in a summer camp environment. Sessions may also be rearranged to accommodate theschedules of Program Leaders and guest speakers.
Extended Family for Kids is produced by Extended Family, a support system for families of prisoners. Since 2003, this non-profit organization has shown family members of prisoners how to successfully adjust to a new way of life. Extended Family serves families across the United States through a three-part support system which includes monthly meetings, a nation-wide resource database, and a one-on-one networking approach. For more information visit www.extendedfamilysupport.org.
What does Extended Family for Kids offer?
This user-friendly manual includes:
• Goals spotlighted at the top of each session which function as a basis for the agenda;
• Resources needed and set up instructions listed at the beginning of each session, saving valuable time in preparing;
• Sample parent letters, permission form, and program introduction flyer;
• Special notes throughout the sessions to explain specific dynamics of an activity and to point out areas of caution;
• Handouts provided at the end of sessions, with permission given to reproduce these for use with participating youth;
• Feedback forms provided at the end of the sessions, for use as a monitoring system for the Program Leader or as supplemental information for reporting and grant purposes.
Who created Extended Family for Kids?
The Extended Family for Kids program was created by Laure E. Clemons, Executive Director and Founder of Extended Family, along with educational professionals Lorie Schmid Conrad, Christy Swansbrough and Elaine Thomas.
Laure E. Clemons knows first-hand what families face when a loved one is incarcerated. After her husband went to prison, she spent months struggling with financial, emotional, and physical challenges. After identifying her own resources and solutions, she founded Extended Family, a support system for families of prisoners. That organization has since grown to include members from across the country. After seeing the success of Extended Family in the lives of so many adult members, Laure created Extended Family for Kids to give the children the same tools that their parents and guardians received through Extended Family membership. Laure has gone into prisons in several states to speak to inmates and their families, and has been a guest on various radio and television programs. She is currently writing a book to guide other families through the prison experience, and is supervising production of a children’s book aimed at answering the questions posed by children of the incarcerated.
Lorie Schmid Conrad has her Masters Degree in Education from Converse College in SC. She worked with moderately to severely emotionally disturbed students in The Pioneer Ridge Program in Spartanburg, SC for 14 years, working with both deaf and hearing students. She is an Extended Family volunteer, lending her expertise as an advisor and contributing editor in the Extended Family for Kids program development.
Christy Swansbrough has her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. In 2007, she began working as a Social Worker for the Chattooga County schools in GA. Christy was the social worker overseeing the Extended Family for Kids program development during its pilot phase with students in grades 6 through 8 at Summerville Middle School, Summerville, GA.
Elaine Thomas has a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Jacksonville State University in AL. At the time of the Extended Family for Kids program development, Elaine had been an educator in Chattooga County, GA for 18 years, and a Middle School Counselor for nine years. She coordinated each session of the pilot program at Summerville Middle School and actively participated in the group dynamics.
Who can lead Extended Family for Kids?
It is recommended that the Extended Family for Kids Program Leader have a family member incarcerated, either currently or in the past. If this is not possible, it is acceptable for the Program Leader to be an adult experienced in the group process.
It is always recommended that a counseling or social work professional attend each session, to add emotional and psychological backup as needed, working with a child afterwards on an individual basis if necessary. While observing the group, this adult can monitor emotional reactions, distractions, and non-verbal signs, to foster group unity. The counselor’s observations will be invaluable as he or she works with the Program Leader to realize the successes in each child as well as potential disruptive behavior or immediate individual needs.
What are the expected results?
As the many adults participating in Extended Family have found over the years, it is healing to be a part of a group who really understands the challenges that come with having a family member incarcerated. Extended Family for Kids is designed to provide children with additional tools for coping with this season of their lives. As children understand and use the concepts taught in the sessions offered, the results could be life changing.
Knowing that each child is different, Extended Family and the Extended Family for Kids program can make no promises or guarantees about the results to be seen in the participants. We can tell you from our experience that many children embrace the lessons offered and integrate them into their daily lives, giving them opportunities they would have surely missed otherwise.
Previous Extended Family for Kids’ students have told us:
“I learned you don’t have to let a family member in jail hold you back.”
“I learned that we don’t have to do their time.”
“I learned I am not alone or without hope.”
We believe you will hear similar comments from the students you work with.