Keeping Families Together

...during and after incarceration

Purpose

This two-year demonstration project is intended to meet the substance abuse, child welfare, and health care service needs of mothers and pregnant women in jail and as they transition to the community,

Its primary purpose is to prevent re-occurring substance abuse by:

• Assisting incarcerated women in seeking substance abuse treatment and health care for their pregnancy or newborn infant upon release.
• Assisting mothers of minor children in maintaining connections with their children during incarceration and in re-establishing or initiating family reunification efforts upon re-entry into the community.
  

The project provides screening for substance abuse problems and intervention to women serving their sentences at the Milwaukee County Correctional Facility–South who are scheduled for release within 30–45 days and have minor children. It also provides substance abuse screening and intervention for pregnant women at the County Correctional Facility–Central. Women are assisted in maintaining connection with their children, planning for reunification with their children, and connecting with substance abuse treatment and health care services upon release. Women are followed up at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months post release to problem-solve barriers to seeking substance abuse treatment, health care, and family reunification.

Funding Agency

Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Time Period

September 1, 2010-August 31, 2012

Scientific Team

P.I.: Susan Rose, Ph.D., CABHR Scientist and Professor, HBSSW
Co-P.I.: Tom LeBel, Ph.D., CABHR Scientist and Associate Professor, HBSSW

Staff

Melissa Quistorf, project coordinator