Children
Children ages 5-17 who live in Connecticut and have a parent in a participating CT Department of Correction prison are eligible to enroll in the CLICC program with the caregiver's permission. To enroll, each child picks 6 books he or she would like to read from the catalogue of our book partner, Scholastic Corp. The incarcerated mom or dad receives the same 6 books. If the child finishes the first 6 books before the end of the CLICC program, more books can be ordered. Everything is free of charge.
A trained CLICC mentor meets one-on-one with the child once a week at a library, community center or afterschool program, to read the books, do fun literacy activities, write Mom or Dad about what is being read, or just hang out. Mentors are specifically trained by CLICC to help children navigate the stigma, shame and toxic stress that may develop from a parent’s incarceration. More important, the CLICC mentor is a supportive adult in the child's life. CLICC child mentors satisfy a background check by the CT Department of Children and Families.
Links to Resources
Caring for Children of Incarcerated Parents