A Program for Children with Incarcerated Family Members (PDF)

PART ONE
CHAPTER THREE: HOW TO GET STARTED—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
See Supplemental Materials for Chapter Three
26. Youth Interest Survey
GettInG started!
The following is a detailed look at the operation of a 4-H LIFE Program. 4-H LIFE
staff carry out these work responsibilities in partnership with correctional center staff,
incarcerated parents and the caregivers raising their children.
1. recruit Program Participants
• Work with correctional staff to develop program recruitment materials such
as flyers or brochures. These materials should include the program criteria,
enrollment process, and meeting dates and times.
• Post the flyers in each housing unit and in the caseworker’s office. The correctional
center may also have a cable TV channel that will post the program information.
• Work with correctional center staff to identify and enroll eligible offender
participants.
• Meet with offenders to identify their interests and strengths as well as their
parenting/family strengths and needs. An enrollment form can capture much of
this information. Also, obtain the caregivers’ contact information (phone, email).
See Supplemental Materials for Chapter Three
27. 4-H LIFE Program Recruitment and Eligibility Process Flowchart
2. Coordinate 4-H LIFe Program delivery
• Communicate with the institutional activities coordinator (IAC) in writing to
obtain written approval for supplies and/or for 4-H LIFE staff and volunteers to
enter the correctional center to conduct 4-H LIFE programming. Pass along the
IAC’s written approval, often referred to as an Interoffice Communication memo,
to other staff and volunteers as needed. The IAC may request an Application for
Program Visit form be filled out for guest visitors.
• Take attendance and maintain a list of offenders’ demographic information as well
as attendance record at each 4-H LIFE class or meeting.
• Communicate on an ongoing basis with IAC about professional boundaries and
safety, eligibility and recruitment of 4-H LIFE Program participants, status of
classes and meetings, etc. Brief weekly meetings with the IAC are recommended.
• Participate in quarterly meetings with the warden, IAC, and 4-H LIFE staff.
4-H LIFE GUIDE ©2009 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
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