Issuu

April 7, 8 & 9, 2025

Thank you to our

generous sponsors!

Conference Policies

Photo/Video Policy

Please note that there is a strict no filming or live streaming policy during the sessions for CIP2025. Please refrain from the use of any cameras or recording devices while speakers are presenting. Professional photographers and videographers may be present during select sessions. Recoded sessions will be available for 6-weeks following the conference.

Social Media Policy

Social media use is encouraged. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @ChildWellBeing and Facebook @ ASUCCWB to interact with us during and after the conference. Please be respectful of fellow attendees and always get permission before tagging them on social media.

Suggested hashtags

#CIP #CIP2025 #COIP #CIPConf #ChildrenofIncarceratedParents #ChildWellBeing

Conference Etiquette

If attending virtually, please type any questions that you have for any of the presenters in the Q and A section. If the session host has enabled audience participation, please remember to mute your microphone when not speaking.

Ann Adalist-Estrin was the Director of the National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. Under Ann’s leadership, NRCCFI provided consultation to government and non-government agencies and community programs in 47 states including Connecticut’s statewide Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative; Sesame Street; Austin Independent School District, Prison Fellowship Ministries. Ann also worked across a number of countries.

Ann was a trailblazing advocate for children and families of the incarcerated and we are happy to dedicate this year’s conference to her.

Advancing Child Well-Being

Locally, Nationally and Globally

James Herbert Williams, PhD,

MSW

Arizona Centennial Professor of Social Welfare Director, Center for Child Well-Being

Welcome Interim Center Director’s

We warmly welcome you to the 7th annual Ann Adalist-Estrin Memorial National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference, proudly presented by the Center for Child Well-Being at Arizona State University (ASU). This year, we embrace the timely theme “Moving Forward Through Uncertainty,” gathering at a pivotal moment marked by resilience, adaptation, and renewed commitments to justice and equity. It is our privilege to honor the legacy of Ann Adalist-Estrin, whose tireless dedication and influential advocacy for children of incarcerated parents continues to inspire our work. In recognition of her profound contributions, this conference now proudly bears her name.

The Conference Planning Committee has thoughtfully curated two and a half impactful days of programming featuring diverse sessions, invited plenaries, interactive workshops, and insightful keynote speakers. The Committee’s goal is to inspire meaningful dialogue, encourage collaborative partnerships, and equip participants with practical tools and strategies that drive positive, tangible outcomes for children and families impacted by incarceration.

As we navigate these uncertain times, this year’s conference continues to evolve through invaluable input from community practitioners, advocates, and leaders. Their expertise ensures our programming remains responsive and relevant. We extend deep gratitude to our committed sponsors—the Arizona Department of Child Safety, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and the School of Social Work—for their steadfast support. Special acknowledgment goes to Kelly Edmonson, Christine Cohea, and Angela Ruffalo whose exceptional dedication and meticulous planning make this gathering possible every year.

We also honor Dr. Judy Krysik, the founding director whose visionary leadership established this critical space for dialogue and collaboration. It is through the collective efforts of community practitioners, leaders, educators, and advocates like you that we continue to pursue transformative outcomes for children and families impacted by incarceration.

We warmly welcome your insights, experiences, and ideas as we explore strategies for supporting families through challenging times. Together, let’s move closer to our shared goal of fostering resilience, equity, and wellbeing for all children of incarcerated parents.

On behalf of all of us at the Center for Child Well-Being, thank you for being at this year’s conference and actively contributing to this vital conversation.

Justin S. Harty, PhD, MSW, LCSW Assistant Professor of Social Work Interim Director, Center for Child Well-Being

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that the physical locations of the Arizona State University School of Social Work and Center for Child Well-Being are within the ancestral homelands of those American Indian tribes that have sustained connections to its lands and waters since time immemorial, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima), Pee Posh (Maricopa), Quechan, and Tohono O’odham peoples.

Judy Krysik, MSW, PhD

Associate Professor/ Associate Director for Academic Affairs, School of Social Work (SSW)

Conference Chair from the Welcome

Dear Conference Attendees and Speakers,

We are so excited about the 2025 CIP conference. First, it provides an opportunity to pay tribute to our dear colleague Ann Adalist-Estrin, an amazing leader and support in this area. We have several aspects of the conference this year designed to honor Ann, our dear colleague and friend. Second, the program looks fantastic, and we continue to see the evolution in research, programming, and advocacy presented. Finally, the attendees represent 25 states and the District of Columbia, plus a few countries. That means that there is a lot of networking to take advantage of. If you attended the CIP conference in the past, we are grateful for your return. If you are new to the conference this year – welcome.

Thanks to our national advisory committee we have made several improvements in the conference this year. We brought the Whova platform back which will provide a better virtual experience and allow conference attendees to connect with ease. Our physical space has new video equipment installed which should also improve the experience for our online attendees. The We Got Us Now Social Hour that was a feature of the conference pre pandemic is back after several years. There is an added focus on self-care that we will be introducing in the morning on Day 1 and revisiting throughout. There is a new Champion for Child Well-Being award – the Founders Award. For the first time we will honor three incredible champions at the conference instead of two. Back by popular demand is the conference hike which we added last year. Also, back this year are the poster sessions – both virtual and in person, which allows for increased interaction with some of our presenters and provides increased opportunity for those who submit proposals to present.

Finally, thank you to our CCWB staff, our ASU students, community volunteers, and our sponsors who make the conference possible. It is a privilege, and a serious responsibility to host the CIP conference. We know that these are difficult and uncertain times. It is a comfort to have this network to move forward with. To all our attendees, please enjoy the sessions and the connections, and don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything we could do to make your experience better.

Sincerely,

Judy Krysik

Conference Chair

Director Elizabeth Lightfoot from Welcome

Welcome to the 2025 National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference hosted by the ASU Center for Child Well-Being within the ASU School of Social Work! We are excited to bring together a diverse group of professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to discuss, learn, and collaborate on supporting children, youth, families, and communities affected by incarceration. With almost 3 million children currently having a parent incarcerated and 10 million having experienced parental incarceration at some point during their childhood, it is vital that we increase awareness and community capacity to respond in helpful and healing ways.

Thanks in advance to the conference organizers and to our generous sponsors. And thank you, our attendees, for joining us in this important conversation and for your commitment to supporting children, youth, families, and communities affected by incarceration. Let’s work together to create positive change and empower those who need it most.

Elizabeth Lightfoot

ASU School of Social Work Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy

Elizabeth Lightfoot

ASU School of Social Work Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy

Dean Cynthia Lietz from Welcome

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 7th National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference hosted by the Center for Child Well-Being at Arizona State University (ASU). This conference has become an important part of the ecosystem of ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and our School of Social Work. Every year we look forward to welcoming attendees from across Arizona and the nation to raise awareness and discuss best practices as it relates to addressing this challenging experience. The conference focuses on better supporting children and young people who experience incarceration of one or both parents. A painful reality for far too many families across the U.S.

Having worked in the child welfare systems in Arizona and Illinois for over ten years, I saw firsthand the challenges that children, youth and their parents face because of incarceration. At the same time, I was inspired daily by examples of resilience that children and youth displayed as they adapted to this difficult reality. At this conference, you will learn more about how incarceration is impacting children, youth and families across the country. You will also have an opportunity to consider a range of policy changes that are needed as it relates to better supporting children of incarcerated parents. Finally, best practices will be discussed to ensure that all attendees leave with a toolbox of interventions that are supported through evidence.

Thank you to the leadership and staff at the Center for Child Well-Being for seven years of impact that has resulted from this conference. Thank you also to the sponsors, committees, presenters, and all those involved in planning this important event. Finally, thank you for prioritizing this conference in your schedule and more importantly, for your passion to support children, youth, and families who are impacted by incarceration. We are proud to partner with you in this important work.

Cynthia Lietz

Dean & President’s Professor

Watts

College of

Public Service and Community Solutions

Elizabeth Lightfoot

Dean & President’s Professor Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions

Words Matter

#WordsMatter

We are committed to a conference framework that truly supports children and families impacted by incarceration. We encourage presenters to include content that will combat stigma by using language that does not label children, stereotype families or demonize incarcerated parents.

In addition, perspectives that highlight an intergenerational cycle of crime or incarceration should be carefully crafted to accurately support the underlying causes of parental incarceration such as poverty, trauma and racism.

Think of how a child might feel when their parent is called a “criminal.” To children they are moms and dads first and forever. #WordsMatter and can signal to a child struggling with their parent’s incarceration that you are a safe space. Creating safe spaces for children whose parents are incarcerated can reduce stigma and negative effects of separation from a parent. Join us in using thoughtful language when speaking of and with people with carceral system involvement and their families.

Together we can change the narrative.

Three quick tips

Children are not targets!

Please refrain from using the word “target” when discussing an area of focus for policy or practice. Instead use “designed to support” or “will focus on the needs of.”

Thanks to The Osborne Association and The Opportunity Agenda for providing the main framework, verbiage, and content for this document.

3 2

When referring to Native Americans, please refer to that person as a Native Person, Indigenous, or use their tribal association. Please refrain from using the term American Indian.

When discussing incarceration we can use justice involved, justice impacted, incarcerated people, people convicted of crimes to describe individuals experiencing incarceration.

Additional thanks to the late Ann AdalistEstrin, Director, National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated at Rutgers University, Isabel Coronado, Family-Based Justice Center at NYU Marron and Dr. Alexandria Pech, ASU Center for Child Well-Being, for their input and efforts.

Preferred phrasing surrounding justice related issues & the incarcerated

Instead of... Try...

“Bad guys” or “crooks”

Balancing safety and reform

Child prostitutes

Children at risk

Criminals, Convicts

Criminal justice system

Dangerous neighborhoods

Defendants

Ex-cons

Federal, state and local governments

Felons

Homosexual, gay lifestyles

Illegal immigrants, Illegal aliens

Inmates

Intergenerational cycle of incarceration

Juveniles

Law and order

Minorities

Non-violent offenders

Offenders

Parolees

Poor, at risk

Prisoners

Punish crime

Racial disparities

Rape victim

Sex offenders

Tough on crime

Victims versus offenders

Violent offenders

Worst of the worst

People charged with or accused of a crime

Advancing safety and fairness

Victims of human trafficking, sexually exploited children

Children of promise and resilience

People convicted of crimes

Criminal legal system

Communities experiencing high levels of violence

People accused of crimes

People who have paid their debt to society; formerly incarcerated people

Federal, state, tribal and local governments

People convicted of felonies

Gay, lesbian, queer, LGBTQ people and their lives

People without documentation

People in prison or jail, people who are incarcerated

Intergenerational trauma or poverty, or systemic racism

Youth or young people

Accountability, rehabilitation, restoration, equal justice, due process

BIPOC – Black, Indigenous People of Color, Latino, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander

People who have been convicted of non-violent offenses

People who have committed offenses

People on parole

People navigating poverty; Underserved, neglected, marginalized communities

People who are currently incarcerated

Address root causes of crime and law-breaking; hold people accountable; restore harm

Obstacles to equal justice, systemic racism, discriminatory school justice, racial profiling, implicit bias, unconscious bias, resulting in unequal rates of arrest, incarceration, lengthy and extreme sentences

Sexual assault survivor

People convicted of a sex offense

Smart and effective responses addressing the causes of crime

Promoting healing and trauma services for all who have been harmed

People who have been convicted of violent offenses

People who have committed serious offenses

Conference Schedule

Sessions and titles subject to change

Monday, April 7, 2025

8:00 am - 8:30 am Check-in and breakfast

Welcome – Daily Wellness Moment

8:30 am - 9:00 am

9:00 am - 10:15 am

• MyKayla Searles-Houston, Center Director, U.S. Dream Academy

Realizing the Children of Incarcerated Parents’ Bill of Rights: Youth Leading, Informing, and Creating Change

• Allison Hollihan, Director, New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Patents at the Osborne Association , The Osborne Association, NYCIP | SUSU

• Jamilla Small, SUSU

• Jakeaela F., National Planning Team, See Us Support Us

• Mordakai Heming, Community Works

10:15 am - 10:30 am Break

The Wise Discerning of Ann Adalist-Estrin - A Video Tribute by Echoes of Incarceration

10:30 am - 11:00 am

• Jeremy Robins, Director, Echoes of Incarceration

• Kharon Benson, Echoes of Incarceration

U.S. Dream Academy

11:00 am - 11:30 pm

• Dianne Wallace Booker, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Dream Academy

• MyKayla Searles-Houston, Center Director, U.S. Dream Academy

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch

Mending vs Repair: Lessons from a Decade of a Whole Family Approach to Supporting Incarcerated Mothers, Their Children and Families

• Jessica Katz, YWCA Family Preservation Project, Founding Director

• Ashley Dorety, Family Preservation Project, Family Resource Center Coordinator/Alumni

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

• Roxanna Frias

• Sophia Frias

• Sophia Montoya

• La’Shuanta Vasquez, Family preservation project , Youth advisory council member

(continued on next page)

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

1:10 pm - 1:40 pm

1:40 pm – 2:10 pm

Monday, April 7, 2025

Mending vs Repair (continued)

• Vanessa Sherrod, The Family Preservation Project

• Kendra Stidhem, The Family Preservation Project

• Crystal Magana, The Family Preservation Project

• Taylor Husak

• Selene Laskey

The Trajectory of Strategic Collaboration for Children with Child Welfare Involvement and an Incarcerated Parent: Research to Practice to Public Policy

• Tamarie Willis, Faculty, University of Washington

How to Assist Children and Caregivers Experiencing Familial Incarceration in Our World of Uncertainty

• Helena Valenzuela, Director, Coping To Resilience Center

• Cady Berkel, Associate Professor, REACH Institute, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University

• Aly Lopez, Arizona State University

Support Services for Child Survivors of Intimate Partner Homicide: Arizona and Beyond

• Bianca Harper, Arizona State University

Being the Father Our Children Need: Program Overview and Evaluation Results of the Dads Back! Academy F.I.R.E program in LA County

• Katie Kramer, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Bridging Group

• Lynda Murillo, Evaluation Manager , The Bridging Group

• Mary Weaver, Authorizing Organizational Representative, Friends Outside in Los Angeles County

• DaJohnai Vincson, Program Manager, Friends Outside LA County

Powerful Feelings: Storytelling for Emotional Processing

• Priscilla Wilson, Founder | Owner, Raíces Colectiva LLC

Using Evidence to Inform Systems Change for Minnesota Families Impacted by Incarceration

1:40 pm – 2:10 pm

• Julie Atella, Research Manager, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

• John Eshun, Minnesota Department of Health

• Rebecca Shlafer, University of Minnesota

When you’re ready to take the next step.

Our programs span the spectrum of public service. Whatever your passion, you will ﬁnd it here. Featuring leading academic programs, our four schools — Community Resources and Development, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Affairs and Social Work — equip you with the tools to move on or move up in your career, and provide the opportunity to put your ideas into action today.

• Master’s Degrees

• PhD Degrees

• Graduate Certiﬁcates

• Executive & Continuing Education

• Online Programs

• Undergraduate Degrees

2:10 pm – 2:20 pm Break

2:20 pm – 3:20 pm

Monday, April 7, 2025

HERO: An Evidence-Based Curriculum for Children of Incarcerated Parents

• David McLeod, The University of Oklahoma

• Elizabeth Adelson, New Hope Oklahoma / Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

• Danielle Hovenga, Executive Director, New Hope Oklahoma

Enhancing Emotional Regulation of Families Impacted by Incarceration Through Community Partnerships

• Katelyn Ashby, Student, Northern Arizona University

• Kiera Butler, Northern Arizona University

• Julia Colman, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northern Arizona University

• Hannah McKinney, Occupational Therapy Student, Northern Arizona University

• Katherine Olson, Northern Arizona University

Lessons From the Earth: Healing and Building Community for Youth and Caregivers Impacted by Incarceration

• Gabriela Lopez, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Charles Roundtree Bloom Project

• K’Amber Thompson, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Charles Roundtree Bloom Project

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm Break

Building Bridges Behind Bars: Research and Implementation Findings from Family-Focused Programs in Jails

• Pajarita Charles, UW-Madison

• Allison Hoekstra, Family Connections Social Worker, Dane County Sheriff’s Office

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

• Julie Poehlmann, Dorothy A. O’Brien Chair in Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Kaitlyn Pritzl, Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Rebecca Shlafer, University of Minnesota

• Victoria Ylizaliturri Fernandez, PHD Student, Northwestern University

Uplifting Youth Affected by Incarceration: The PFA Youth Art Program

• Julia Lazareck, Prison Families Alliance, inc.

Using Data to Support Incarcerated Parents: Insights from Beaver County’s KFC Program Tracking

• Nicole Hendricks, The Council of State Governments Justice Center

We publish an annual collection of poetry, stories, essays, and artwork created by club members. Our 10th Anthology, Home and Away, launches on April 8, 2025! Learn more and purchase books:

www.outofthewoodspress.com/buy

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

1:10 pm - 1:40 pm

Monday, April 7, 2025

Angel Tree’s First Chance Network: Promoting community capital and positive childhood experiences

• Chelsea Hunsucker, Youth Development Researcher, Prison Fellowship

• Yvette Kaufman-Bell, Senior Partnerships Manager, Prison Fellowship Ministries

WE GOT US NOW

Social Hour

• Tamarie Willis, Faculty, University of Washington

The

ASU

School of Social Work Child Welfare Education Program

The Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) is a collaborative effort between the Arizona State University School of Social Work and the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).

The mission of the program is to prepare social work students to empower families and promote the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of the children involved in Arizona’s public child welfare system. The goals of the program are to 1) facilitate students’ development of culturally responsive and socially just critical decision-making capacities, 2) instill in students frameworks for viewing both problems and collaborative solution-seeking through traumainformed, relationally-based, and resiliency theories, and 3) teach engagement, assessment, and intervention skills speciﬁc to safety planning and case management with vulnerable children and families.

Students involved in the program receive ﬁnancial assistance while pursuing their degrees in social work. In return, students contractually commit to work for DCS upon graduation.

More Information

For more information including eligibility requirements, application materials, and deadlines please visit our website or contact us.

Website: socialwork.asu.edu/childwelfare

Email: childwelfare@asu.edu

Child Welfare Education Program

Thankyou!

Thank you to the CIP National Advisory Committee members who help advise on issues related to the conference and who evaluate conference proposals.

• Paja Charles

• Isabel Coronado

• Mark Eddy

• Avon Hart-Johnson

• Allison Hollihan

• Tanya Krupat

• Leticia Longoria-Navarro

• Alexandria Pech

• Julie Poehlmann

• Jeremy Robins

• Ebony Underwood

• Diane Wallace Booker

A Career in Child Welfare Social Work

Child welfare social workers engage families who may be facing signiﬁcant challenges including poverty, a history of trauma, substance abuse, familial violence, mental illness, and oppression. They assess child safety and they intervene to protect children. They also work with parents to promote family preservation and reuniﬁcation and with extended families and care-givers to promote children’s permanency and well-being. Child welfare social workers must be able to empathetically engage children, parents, and caregivers, use motivational strategies to encourage clients to make changes, team with families, coordinate with service providers, write detailed assessments, and testify in legal proceedings.

The work is very challenging, yet rewarding. If you believe that you have the ability to make a difference for vulnerable families, a career in child welfare may be a good ﬁt for you. The ASU School of Social Work Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) can prepare you to engage with families in a meaningful and transformational way.

Degree Options

The CWEP provides ﬁnancial award packages to the following students:

• Part-time or full-time BSW students during their Junior and Senior years

• Full-time MSW students in the Advanced Standing (one-year) Program

• Full-time MSW students in the Standard (two-year) Program

• Part-time MSW students who also are DCS employees

Award packages include the payment of in-state tuition and mandatory fees. All packages require students to sign a contractual agreement committing to a post-graduation employment term with the AZ Department of Child Safety (DCS).

Specialized Curriculum

CWEP students enroll in specialized child welfare courses that teach the competencies of child welfare social work. The courses are taught by instructors with real-world experience. Through class activities and assignments, students apply their learning to realistic case scenarios and to their work with clients at their ﬁeld placements.

Specialized Internship

CWEP students complete a specialized internship in a DCS ofﬁce, working as a member of a team on actual DCS cases. Students complete benchmarks related to their demonstration of knowledge and skills; participate in trainings, workshops, consultation groups, and individual and group supervision; and receive coaching in their skill development. Students receive job training experience while developing their competencies in child welfare social work.

Employment

In the semester prior to graduation, students work with DCS HR representatives to apply to DCS and receive a job placement. Upon graduation, students are hired directly into a DCS Specialist position and receive the same salary as other employees in their pay grade. They also receive the same beneﬁts as other State of Arizona employees including health insurance, enrollment in the state retirement plan, paid holidays, and accrued sick and vacation time.

Conference Schedule

Sessions and titles subject to change

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

8:00 am - 8:30 am Check-in and Breakfast

Welcome – Daily Wellness Moment

8:30 am – 8:40 am

8:45 am – 10:15 am

• MyKayla Searles-Houston, Center Director, U.S. Dream Academy

The Power of Proximity: The Impact of Personal Experiences on Criminal Justice Change

• Isabel Coronado, Research Scholar, New York University

• Tiana Smith, Senior Policy Analyst, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Emani Davis, Executive Director, The Omowale Project

10:15 am - 10:30 am Break

Fostering Family Reunification and Healing: The Place4Grace’s Camp Grace Model

• Karen McDaniel, Founder & ED, The Place4Grace

10:30 am – 11:30 am

• Heather Ramirez, Camp Grace Director, The Place4Grace

• Gabriella Ramirez, Camp Grace Lead Counselor, The Place4Grace

Advancing Holistic Safety to Support Families Impacted by Incarceration

• Jennifer Farrington, President & CEO, Chicago Children’s Museum

• Nneka Tapia, Managing Director, Justice Initiatives, Chicago Beyond

Envisioning our past, present and futures: Letters of joy, freedom, and guidance from BIPOC girls impacted by familial and parental incarceration

• Dr. Alexandria Pech, Assistant Research Professor, ASU Center for Child Well-Being

Black Children of Incarcerated Parents: Understanding Challenges, Recognizing Resilience Factors

10:30 am – 11:30 am

• Tonisha Taylor, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Community Engagement , Lehigh Carbon Community College

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Lunch

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM Child Well-Being Champion Awards

Home and Away: PATHfinder Club and POPS the Club 10th Anthology Release Celebration - Honoring Ann Adalist-Estrin

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

• Leticia Longoria-Navarro, The Pathfinder Network, Executive Director

• Amy Friedman, The Pathfinder Network, Executive Editor/Publisher

• Victor Trillo, The Pathfinder Network, The PATHfider Club Program Manager

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Poster Session — Children of Incarcerated Parents and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)-What We Need to Know & What We Can Do

• Dr. Maria Amaya, Saved to Serve

• Rusan McNeal, The Chicago School, Sr. Director of Adu

Poster Session—Compassionate Prison System: Building Bridges, Transforming Lives of Children of Incarcerated Parents

• Smita Dharmamer, Aangan India, Associate Director

Poster Session—Empowering Connections: Trauma Informed Approach Incorporating Youth Voice

• Natasha Blakely, Project Avary Inc, Training and Engagement Specialist

• Kellene VanBrackle, Project Avary Inc, Program Director

Poster Session—From Bars to Bonds Effective Strategies for Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents

• Bria Tijerina Stevens, The RIDGE Project, Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist Youth Facilitator

• Elizabeth Brown, The RIDGE Project, Inc, Director of Family Programs

Poster Session—Heal, Learn, Succeed and Dream: A Music/Mental Health Program for CIPs

• Diana Vuolo, SWAN: Scaling Walls a Note at a Time, Founder, Executive Director

Poster Session—UnLocking Our Community: Empowering College Students with Incarcerated Parents through Peer Support

• Anna Tovchigrechko, UnLocked Project

• Rip Cornish, UnLocked Project, Outreach Chair

• Athena Garcia, UnLocked Project

• Blessing Madagu, UnLocked Project

• Ava Meisner, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Investigative Intern

• Nadja Miljkovic, UnLocked Project, Vice President

Poster Session—Virtual Lifelines: The Impact of Social Media Support Groups on Families of Incarcerated Individuals

• Christina Pipkin, FAYE Learning Center

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Break

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Parenting Inside Out: A User Gathering to Connect, Reflect, and Innovate

• Pajarita Charles, UW-Madison

• Mark Eddy, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

• Allison Hoekstra, Family Connections Social Worker, Dane County Sheriff’s Office

• Leticia Longoria-Navarro, Executive Director , The Pathfinder Network

• Tiffany Atkinson, Director of Community Corrections Programs, The Pathfinder

Exploring the Impact of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars

• Shannon Luper, GSBB Program Director, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma

Mending Fences

• Dawn Dibbern, Parent Support/Advocate, Family Involvement Center

• April Gonzales, RRAP Mentor Coordinator, Family Involvement Center

• Anna Ochoa, Parent Ally, Family Involvement Center

• Sleepy Vildosola, Program Manager, Family Involvement Center

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Break

Family Preservation: Keeping Families Together Through Family-Based Alternatives to Justice Programs

• Pajarita Charles, UW-Madison

3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

• Isabel Coronado, Research Scholar, New York University

• Karen Johnson, The University of Alabama

• Miah Tolbert, CEO, Rise and Recover Inc Selma

FRESH (Family Re-Entry Support and Help): Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

• Melissa Radcliff, Program Director, Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons

Restoring Hope: Transformative Strategies and Tools to Empower Youth and Families

• Brandon Tejerina, The Ridge Project

• Ethan Matson, Media Manager, The RIDGE Project

• Chris Sartin, The Ridge Project

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Desert Hike (Optional)

Creating Connection for Those Who Need it Most

Aventiv Technologies develops innovative solutions that build bonds, improve safety, and strengthen communities. Through technology, we help families stay connected, inspire hope, and enhance reentry efforts.

We are proud to support the ASU Center for Child Well-Being and the 7th Annual Ann Adalist-Estrin Memorial National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference, strengthening our shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Conference Schedule

Sessions and titles subject to change

8:00 am – 8:25 am

8:30 am – 9:30 am

8:30 am – 9:00 am

9:00 am – 9:30 am

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Welcome – Daily Wellness Moment

• MyKayla Searles-Houston, Center Director, U.S. Dream Academy

The Power of Second Chances: How Rasa Legal is using technology to clear criminal records and build better lives for the children of the formerly incarcerated

• Noella Sudbury, Rasa Legal

Listening to Connect: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents Through Sound and Community Engagement

• Garth Paine, Arizona State University

• Celia Yang, Arizona State University

Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Families: A Collaborative Approach Across Academic and Correctional Institutions

• Laura Napolitano, Associate Professor of Sociology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden

• Jane Siegel, Rutgers University

Building Better Adult Allies: Understanding and Supporting Youth with Incarcerated Parents

• Oscar Calderon, Community Works

• Lhaga Dingpontsawa, Project WHAT!

• Jakaela F, National Planning Team, See Us Support Us

• Mordakai Heming, Community Works

Building the Knowledge Base

• MyKayla Searles-Houston, Center Director, U.S. Dream Academy

10:15 am - 10:30 am Break

Observations of children’s behaviors and interactions with carceral staff during visits with incarcerated parents following an intervention: Implications for policy and practice

• Kaitlyn Pritzl, Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin - Madison

9:00 am – 9:30 am

• Allison Hoekstra, Family Connections Social Worker, Dane County Sheriff’s Office

• Julie Poehlmann, Dorothy A. O’Brien Chair in Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Lauren Hindt, University of Minnesota

• Tyler Anderson

9:45 am – 10:45 am

10:50 am – 11:50 am

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Bonding from Within: Promoting Parent-Child Attachment during Incarceration

• Christy Collins, Family advocates, Head start community action

• Ali Freshwater, Family Services Teacher, Community Action Organization

• Amanda Niederberger, Program Area Supervisor, Community Action Head Start of Washington County

• Carmen Slothower, Community Action Organization

• Tiffany Vara, Coffee Creek Correction Facility

Understanding and Supporting Children with Incarcerated Parents

• Hena Ali-Bernard, NYC Public Schools

Children with Incarcerated Parents and Their Families: A Research Agenda for the U.S. Informed by Lived Experience, Practice, Science, Policy, and Advocacy

• Pajarita Charles, UW-Madison

• Ebony Underwood, Social Entrepreneur, Content Creator, Founder/CEO, WE GOT US NOW

• Tamarie Willis, Faculty, University of Washington

• Mark Eddy, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

• Julie Poehlmann, Dorothy A. O’Brien Chair in Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

11:50 am – 12:00 pm Conference Closing

We publish an annual collection of poetry, stories, essays, and artwork created by club members. Our 10th Anthology, Home and Away, launches on April 8, 2025! Learn more and purchase books:

www.outofthewoodspress.com/buy