Mission
Children of Incarcerated Caregivers promotes the rights and best interests of children impacted by parental incarceration.
Vision
CIC envisions a world where justice systems value family connections, and a child’s best interests are a primary consideration when a caregiver is involved with the criminal legal system.
Our Work
- We research and advocate for evidence-based laws, policies, and programs that enhance the lives of children affected by parental incarceration.
- We convene and collaborate with diverse, global stakeholders—including impacted people, field experts, practitioners, and students—to envision and enact new policies.
- We raise international awareness of these issues by presenting them before intergovernmental bodies and engaging with human rights mechanisms.
- We develop toolkits and train legal system professionals to center the rights and well-being of children whose parents are involved in criminal legal cases.
- We provide the next generation of changemakers with meaningful opportunities for research, advocacy, and professional development.
- We connect youth impacted by parental incarceration – as well as their caregivers – to resources, summer camps, and family-friendly enrichment activities.
Values
- Compassion – We care deeply about the safety, health, and well-being of children and their families. We seek to foster understanding and respect for those impacted by parental incarceration.
- Human Rights – We are guided by globally-recognized human rights laws and principles. We unwaveringly believe every child is entitled to be a part of decisions that affect them, to have access to their caregivers, and to have the opportunity to thrive.
- Collaboration – We prioritize collective, interdisciplinary collaboration across legal, academic, and community sectors. We build partnerships and networks founded on respect, trust, and a shared commitment to the well-being of children, and we seek to create supportive spaces for learning and advocacy.
- Listening & Understanding – We strive to be deeply informed about the issues we cover and look to subject-matter experts and people who are impacted by incarceration to understand a range of perspectives. We are committed to listening to, respecting, and amplifying the perspectives of impacted people.
- Research – We believe knowledge sharing is critical to helping stakeholders make informed decisions. We vow to ethically gather and disseminate accurate information and thoroughly review published materials.