Sunday, February 27, 2011

"PREVENTION"

"PREVENTION" ACTION PLAN:  Overarching Strategy: Interupt the pathways to incarceration.
STATE:
Reduce adverse childhood experiences through evidence-based programs that address physical, sexual & emotional abuse;emotional or physical neglect;untreated mental illness or addiction in the home;incarceration of a family member;domestic violence;& single parenting.
Implement & enhance evidence-based, comprehensive & well-coordinated services for women & children (0-18 years) who have factors shown to put them at high risk for later incarceration.
Suggested approaches include:
Encourage coordination of services among faith-based & community-based organizations.
Encourage communication among government entities.
Educate key audiences on availability of services & programs.
Support creation of the Children of Incarcerated Parents Advisory Council for the purpose of gathering data, identifying interagency collaborations & creating a state plan to address the needs of families affected by incarceration.
Support initiatives that:
Provide funding for assessments of children whose mothers are going to prison & at regular intervals during incarceration.
Provide funding for programs for children whose mothers are incarcerated.
Continue funding of programs that address issues of parenting & child abuse prevention.
Examine issues related to guardianship & custody to ensure caregivers have access to needed services.
Remove barriers that hinder examination of family situation prior to sentencing,including movement of Title 22,Chapter 1,Section 20 (Imprisonment of a Single Custodial Parent of Minor Child-Care & Custody of the Child) from criminal procedure to sentencing statutes.
Require Oklahoma institutions of higher education to provide training for teachers on identification & referral of at-risk children.
Increase affordable childcare programs for at-risk women who are pursuing further education.
COMMUNITY:
(including Business;Faith-Based Organizations & Community-Based Organizations,County & Local Governments etc)
Enhance  domestic violence services.
Suggested approaches include:
Encourage vigorous investigation & prosecution,even when the victim becomes reluctant to testify or file charges.
Expand programs to educate,protect & empower victims.
Increase programs that identify & provide services to children in their homes.
Encourage collaborations that expand evidence-based school programs for children & youth.
Suggested approaches are:
Prevent bullying.
Teen pregnancy prevention.
Prevent dating/domestic violence.
Prevent suicide.
Prevent substance abuse & addiction.
Reduce truancy & increase graduation rates through counseling & mentoring.
Expand existing mediation programs.
Facilitate identification & referral of at-risk children.
Establish safe havens through after-school programs.
Expand early childhood education programs.
Increase engagement of caregivers/family members.
Increase self esteem & self worth for girls

INDIVIDUAL:
Educate, advocate & volunteer.
Suggested approaches include:
Volunteer to tutor at a school.
Volunteer with a scouting organization.
Volunteer with a faith-based organization's youth group.
Join a civic club with an interest in youth.
Join a group that is interested in mentoring young girls & teens.
Volunteer with an after school program.
Volunteer with the local Literacy Council.
Volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister.
Assist the local library with reading hour.

Raise funds for child abuse prevention.
Mentor an "at-risk" child.

Volunteer with a safety-net organization that makes referrals & assists with health/social services.













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