Children of Incarcerated Parents

Our Family Services Advocates (FSAs) support the unique needs and rights of
children with incarcerated parents.

This program in Lancaster County helps families and caregivers connect with existing community supports, and maintain healthy parent-child relationships.

Our Team

Headshot of a woman in business casual clothing in an indoor atrium with plants, smiling

Karizma Pomales

Family Services Advocate
kpomales@compassmark.org

Vanessa Mendez

Vanessa Welker

After-School & Community-Based Programs Manager
vwelker@compassmark.org

Eligibility

Compass Mark provides support free-of-charge to those caring for children 0-18 years of age who have one or more incarcerated parents. The child must reside in Lancaster County.

Addresses

  • Children and caregivers’ basic needs
  • Temporary guardianship
  • Therapeutic supports such as counseling
  • Healthy relationship between child and their incarcerated parent
  • School connection & success
  • Trauma caused by separation

Setting

Our Advocates visit both the child and their caregivers in the home, as well as the incarcerated parent at Lancaster County Prison.

Effectiveness

Documents

Parenting Inside Out

We provide parenting classes in Lancaster County Prison using the evidence-based Parenting Inside Out curriculum. Twelve-session groups for male and female incarcerated individuals are alternated throughout the year.