SB2879 Services for Children of the Incarcerated

SB2879, introduced by Senator Kwame Raoul would provide much needed information on vital services to children in Illinois who have a parent incarcerated. his bill provides a first step to help children with incarcerated parents break the cycle of poverty, violence, uncertainty and deprivation.

Some more facts about SB 2879:

• SB2879 would direct the Department of Human Services to compile and provide information on services available to children with incarcerated parents.
• The public information will be designed to reduce stigma associated with having a parent incarcerated.
• All the materials, along with a stamped envelope, will be made available to all of the roughly 40,000 persons entering Illinois prisons each year, so they can send the information to the caretaker of their child immediately. The information will also be distributed throughout IDOC facilities to provide access to people who are currently incarcerated.
• By providing this information to parents in prison, this legislation creates the best process to reach as many children with incarcerated parents as possible.
• A 2006 study by The Chicago Reporter found that there are an estimated 90,000 children in Illinois with a parent in prison. Less than 1 in 6 of these children are receiving counseling or therapy services.

You can the read the full text of the bill, view a list of current co-sponsors, and follow its progress here
Find your legislators and tell them to stand up for children with incarcerated parents by supporting SB2879 http://www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx

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