Lydia’s Place, Inc.

710 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-391-1013

412-391-1082 (fax)

info@lydiasplace.org

 

Initiatives

Lydia’s Place is dedicated to changing policies that affect incarcerated women and the children of prisoners in our region.  Our work in this arena includes:

 

· In collaboration with a variety of community stakeholders, Lydia’s Place is developing a formalized arrest procedure for offenders with children in Allegheny County.  The procedure, which will be taught at the local police academy, will help arresting officers work with parents to minimize trauma and identify a safe place for children to go. 

· In partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and the Women and Girls Foundation, Lydia’s Place will conduct a study of birth outcomes for women incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail during their pregnancy.  We plan to use the results in statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of pregnant offenders and their babies. 

· In 2006, Lydia’s Place led the effort to ban the shackling of laboring inmates in Allegheny County.  See the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article.  In addition, we have worked with the Allegheny County Jail to improve nutrition for pregnant inmates. 

 

 

A Bill of Rights

 

For Children of Incarcerated Parents

 

· I have the right to be kept safe and informed at the time of my parent’s arrest.

· I have the right to be heard when decisions are made about me.

· I have the right to be considered when decisions are made about my parent.

· I have the right to be well cared for in my parent’s absence.

· I have the right to speak with, see and touch my parent.

· I have the right to support as I face my parent’s incarceration.

· I have the right not to be blamed, judged or labeled because of my parent’s incarceration.

· I have the right to a lifelong relationship with my parent.

 

 

San Francisco Children of

Incarcerated Parents Partnership

Accomplishments

· Lydia’s Place is proud to be part of a nationwide effort to help communities better respond to the needs of the children and families of prisoners.  In 2006, we received a grant from the Soros Foundation to continue our efforts on behalf of these children, as well as educate community stakeholders about this issue.  This partnership has put the Pittsburgh community on the front line of nationwide efforts. 

· Outcomes for women in our aftercare services in 2006 were excellent.  80% of our women clients landed a job, 94% found stable housing, 94% received drug treatment, and 89% stayed out of jail.  

· The Family Activity Center at the Allegheny County Jail opened in April 2007.  This project was the result of collaborative efforts with 90 community partners.  The Center is open 28 hours per week during peak visiting times and serves 250 children each week . 

· Family Court recently referred a client to Lydia’s Place for parenting classes and supervised visitation through the Zero to Three program, which works to expedite permanent placements for children under three years old.  Our feedback has been excellent, and we are actively seeking funding to expand our efforts in this arena with the goal of acquiring a foster care case load. 

· We are working to expand our case management capacity through sustainable fee-for-service contracts.  These services would operate in concert with our efforts with the Zero to Three program, and would allow us to serve as advocates for mothers working hard to regain custody of or strengthen their relationships with their children.