Established in 2010, National Family Reunification Month highlights the importance of family preservation and the parents, caregivers and family-serving professionals involved in achieving lasting reunification. As Sauer Family Foundation maintains appreciation for institutions in MN who partner in community to support families impacted by separation and to illuminate the importance of lived experience, this year we will focus on justice involved parents and family reunification.

Approximately one in six children in Minnesota are affected by parental incarceration, making this a tremendous source of adverse childhood experience in our state. A collaborative initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of children with incarcerated parents by providing activities for both inside and outside of jail.

The Minnesota Department of Health partnering with the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association and the University of Minnesota established the Minnesota Model Jail Practices Learning Community. This program includes the following counties: Carlton, Olmsted, Ramsey, Renville, Stearns, and Sherburne, with plans to extend to Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Todd, Hennepin, St. Louis, Crow Wing, and Scott.

Several primary components of the program include:

Creating Family Friendly Jail Environments: making visiting areas more accommodating for families with separate points of entry and children’s books/activities.

Parenting Education: Incarcerated parents have access to evidence-based parenting classes, both within the jail and through community partnerships, to enhance their parenting skills and prepare for reentry into family life.

Increased Parent-Child Visits: towards strengthening the bond between justice involved parents and their children which includes more than 3,500 video visits.

Maintaining a healthy connection between a child and their parent includes rebuilding trust through gradual reconnection, especially as children may feel confused, distant, or angry. Family therapy aids in improving communication and navigating complex emotions, while creating routines and consistency promotes safe and reliable environments for children.

By providing resources for families and fostering connections, these activities contribute to healthier families and communities. More information can be found on the MDH Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents page.

– Sheri