For Children of Incarcerated Parents

FAMILY TIES INSIDE OUT supports NH children and their caregivers during parental incarceration while reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry. This program is a partnership between Waypoint, NH Family Resource Centers, Family Connections Center-NHDOC and NH Jails.

GROUPS:  

Kids can meet with other kids, along with an adult facilitator, for a safe place to feel supported, offer understanding to others, process feelings and learn how to cope with them. Groups will do all of this through games, stories and other playful activities. All support groups meet via Zoom. All participants will receive a $20 Walmart gift card for each session they attend.  Learn about groups offered here. 

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Sesame Street online has tips, videos, and activities for young children to help understand their parents' incarceration. Available in English or Spanish. 

For fun activities for children under 5 to learn and grow, visit Vroom. 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

For all types of activities for kids and families in your local community, find your local family resource center at FSNH.org.

For information for children and youth in NH with special health care needs or disabilities and general child development information, visit Watch Me Grow New Hampshire. 

If your child is experiencing emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges, help is available through NH Mental Health Care Access in Pediatrics (NH MCAP) program. This website has a list of the most recent directory of NH Pediatric Primary Care Physicians.

If your child is experiencing social and emotional challenges and the child’s parent is incarcerated in one of the NH state prisons or jails they are eligible to apply for the free counseling program called Family Ties. Referrals go to the Family Ties Director, Dr. Joanne Linden. lindenjoanne53@gmail.com or 603-391-5123. For those families who have a parent in the NH State Prisons and is an active member of the Family Connections Center Parenting Program, the incarcerated parent may be able to join all or some of these family sessions via tele-visiting.

For children, adults and families who are in need of mental health services, resources can be found at Community Mental Health Centers around New Hampshire. Download the list of centers.