The Literacy Link: Strengthening Bonds between Parents and Children during Parental Incarceration
Ronda Davis, Justice-Involved Families State Outreach Specialist at UW Madison Division of Extension
The Literacy Link session will explore the critical role of literacy and learning opportunities for young children with parents or caregivers in local correctional systems. The presentation will highlight evidence-informed approaches that integrate literacy development with parenting education to promote meaningful parent-child engagement despite physical separation.
Participants will learn about the award-winning Literacy Link project's research-based interventions that address the needs of parents, caregivers and their children through five targeted strategies. The session objectives will focus on: (1) examining how literacy-based programming enhances communication between incarcerated parents and their children; (2) identifying strategies for embedding family-centered literacy practices into correctional education settings; and (3) understanding the connection between family engagement, improved literacy skills, and reduced recidivism outcomes.
The session directly aligns with reentry-focused work by demonstrating how maintaining family bonds contributes to post-release stability and supports intergenerational educational success. Attendees will gain practical tools, program examples, and actionable strategies to implement or strengthen initiatives within their own facilities.
Key takeaways include adaptable literacy activities that foster connection, techniques for supporting parents as educators, and insights into creating programs that improve both individual outcomes and family resilience.
