A positive childhood experience focused approach to planning programs serving children of incarcerated parents

Understanding children of incarcerated parents frequently reflects a myopic focus on risk, disadvantage, and likelihood of intergenerational justice system involvement. Thankfully, we now see pivots towards using positive research frameworks to research youth and evaluate programming. One such initiative was undertaken by a Christian non-profit called Prison Fellowship® to develop their new program, the First Chance Network™. The program aims to promote family resilience and youth flourishing for families of children with incarcerated parents. A participatory, sequential mixed-methods evaluation design strategy was developed, taking inspiration from the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experience (HOPE) framework, and Positive Childhood Experience (PCE) research. Initial findings from baseline surveys support the importance of PCEs, mentors, and supportive peers in promoting child well-being, even amongst adversity. Positive research strategies serve not only to evaluate programs and promote youth flourishing but also to redirect the defeatist narrative we often speak over children and families impacted by this adversity.