§ 128. Incarcerated parents and guardians; Family Support Program (a) Family Support Program. The Department of Corrections shall establish the Family Support Program to provide free parenting and family support at each correctional facility to all incarcerated individuals who are parents and guardians regardless of gender. The Program shall include individualized services and programming intended to provide: (1) increased knowledge and skill for incarcerated parents and guardians to address the specific needs of their children; (2) resources to incarcerated parents and guardians to engage in needs-specific planning and communication strategies with their children and their children’s caregivers; (3) child-friendly visitation spaces, in consultation with the Department, for in-person and virtual visits between parents or guardians and their children, including establishing safety protocol; (4) outreach and coordination with appropriate services for the children of incarcerated parents and guardians and the children’s caregivers; (5) improved cross-system coordination and collaboration to deliver necessary services to the families of incarcerated parents and guardians; and (6) reentry support and preparation for incarcerated parents and guardians. (b) Program support. The Department may support the operation of the Family Support Program established pursuant to this section through grants of financial assistance to, or contracts for services with, any nonprofit entity that meets the Department’s requirements. (c) Annual report. Annually, on or before July 1, the Department shall submit a written report to the House Committees on Corrections and Institutions and on Judiciary and the Senate Committees on Institutions and on Judiciary concerning: (1) the funding, participation, and outcomes of the services and programming established pursuant to this section; and (2) considerations and any progress towards sustained statewide programming and gender parity.
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