Parenting Inside Out is offered to clients who have no prior convictions for crimes against children. This research-informed parent-management skills training program is designed, over 108 hours, to interrupt patterns of criminality and substance abuse, and address adjustment of child and family to parental incarceration and re-entry into society. Using a federal grant awarded in 2003 by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Oregon Social Learning Center is evaluating the long-term effects of Parenting Inside Out. The information learned in their study is expected to identify the best ways to strengthen family ties in support of the Oregon Accountability Model and to help break the intergenerational cycle of criminality.

Content/Skills

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Planning, prioritizing, organizing
• Lifestyle structure and healthy habits
• Healthy self-care
• Advocacy
• Monitoring and supervision
• Healthy nurturing habits
• Creating and maintaining pro-social networks
• Accessing community resources
• Identifying personal and cultural values, and transference to children
• Healthy, nonviolent child-guidance techniques
• Positive encouragement
• Development of a personalized family plan

Outcomes

• Implement personally relevant habits of nurture and structure to support, guide and protect family
• Practice sobriety and work recovery plan as needed
• Practice healthy, nonviolent relating with significant other
• Effectively communicate and problem solve
• Access community resources and socially acceptable avenues for meeting individual and family needs; advocate for self and children
• Select and apply individualized, nonviolent child-guidance strategies in response to the unique needs of each child
• Advocate effectively for self and children in the community: schools, health care and social welfare arenas