Download Storybook Parents What is it?

Embedded Librarianship in Correctional
Facilities: Taking Services To Those That
Need It The Most
OLA Super Conference 2017
February 2, 2017
Agenda for the Session
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Facts and figures
What is the Storybook Parents program?
Objectives of the program
Storybook Parents Program from around the world
Program evolution and history
How does the program work?
Measuring success
Challenges of the program
Next steps
Tips for starting your own program
• Q&A
Literacy
Facts
• In Ontario
• 42% of adults do not have the literacy skills they need
for home, work and life
• 16% or 1.3 million people struggle with very serious
literacy challenges and have trouble reading even the
most basic text
• 26% or 2.1 million people can read but not well enough
to meet the demands of today’s society
• Upon arrival at correctional institutions, approximately
65% of offenders test at a level lower than Grade 8,
and 82% lower than Grade 10
Source: http://lbspractitionertraining.com/pd-courses/practitioners/lbs-101/272-11-20reasons-why-literacy-matters
Benefits of Early Literacy
• Parents are their child’s first and
best teachers
• Parents play a key role in their
child’s early literacy development
because they can encourage
them in ways that no one else
can
• Communication begins at birth
• Parent-child relationship is the
basis of a child’s success
Facts
Storybook Parents
What is it?
• The Storybook Parents program is a family
literacy initiative that works with currently
incarcerated and recently-released men and
women to help maintain family bonds and
reduce recidivism
• Storybook Parents creates a recording of a
story being read aloud by a participant
(parent/older relative). The recording and
storybook is then mailed to their family for the
child to listen and read with
Storybook Parents
Program Objectives
• Promote the importance of Family Literacy
• Providing an opportunity for the participant to be a reading
role model for their child (or younger relative)
• Modeling the importance of reading
• Strengthen or develop family bonds
• Breaking the cycle of low literacy
• Reduce recidivism (re-committing)
• Working with participants who may be “at risk”
• Providing alternative supports/interventions
• Develop basic literacy skills
• Provide information about TPL’s programs and services
• For both participants and their families
Storybook Parents
Around the World
• United Kingdom:
• Storybook Dads
• http://www.storybookdads.org.uk
• Big Book Share project
• United States
• Father Read Program (Colorado)
• http://www.cca.com/press-releases/cca-s-kit-carsoncorrectional-center-sponsors-father-read-program
• Reading Family Ties – Face to Face (Florida)
• Storybook project (Ontario County, New York)
• Canada
• Kitchener Public Library (annual program)
Storybook Parents
Program Evolution and History
• 2011 - 12: Storybook Dads
• Focus: Incarcerated men
• Mimico Jail
• Toronto East Detention Centre
• 2012 - 13: Storybook Dads
• Focus: Absentee parents
• Community Agencies
• 2014 - present: Storybook Parents
Storybook Parents
Who do we serve?
• Men and Women
• Incarcerated [men]
• Recently released (within 5 years) [men and
women]
• 18 years of age and older (target audience is
youth between the ages of 18 – 29 years*)
• Have a child (or close relative, generally 12 years
of age or younger)
• Must not have a no-contact order in place (for the
parent/child who will be receiving the package)
Storybook Parents
Where do we deliver the program?
• Toronto East Detention Centre
• Toronto South Detention Centre
• Organizations that support recently released
clients:
• Toronto Bail Program
Storybook Parents
• Intake and Assessment
How does the program work?
 Collect participant and child information
(interests, age)
 Identify if literacy assistance is needed
 Consent to participate
 Confirmation that there are no existing court orders
preventing participation
• Book Selection
 Selection of suitable book
• Recording
 5-20 minute recording sessions
 Echo reading for participants who struggle with their
literacy skills
• Editing of recording
• Preparing the package
Storybook Parents
Program Overview
Family Packages
• Storybook with inscribed
message from parent
• CD Recording
• Invitation to visit local
library
• Library Information - What’s
On, Bookmarks, Booklists,
Dial-A-Story Magnet
• Feedback Form
Storybook Parents
Program Statistics
Number of clients
(program
participants)
Number of
children reached
Number of
recordings made
2015
2016
22
73
37
149
48
187
Storybook Parents
• Marketing
 Posters
 Word of mouth
 Within detention
centres versus
recently released
organizations
Marketing the program
Storybook Parents
Measuring program success
• Qualitative feedback from:
• Clients (participants)
• Families
• Quantitative statistics
• Number of clients recorded
• Number of children reached
• Number of recordings made
• Interest from clients (participants)
• Increase in requests over time
• Work plan
• Setting yearly targets
Storybook Parents
Feedback – Highlights
Responses from families
• Children were very pleased with the CD
• Made their child feel closer to their Dad (or older
relative)
• Gave positive impressions of their Dad (or older
relative)
• The guardians of the child felt that the program
encouraged the child to read more
Storybook Parents
Feedback – Highlights
Responses from families (unedited to preserve authenticity)
“When she heard her fathers voice reading her a story like he always
did when he was home she cried and knew even though hes not
home he still thinks of her and makes an effort with sending her the
story…A program such as this is an amazing investment and
reminds the men that are gone, their kids, and families that they are
always there in voice if not there in person”
“They're thrilled to hear their Dad's voice.”
“This is one of the best ideas ever! We love it so much, just because
of cercomstances shouldn't mean that our child doesn't get to read
with her father. This program makes it fun and exciting to read, my
only suggestion would be MORE books!!!! :D”
Storybook Parents
Feedback – Highlights
Responses from Participants (unedited to preserve authenticity)
1) Why did you want to participate in Storybook Parents?
“Because it's a way for me to reach out to my kids as well as
promote them to read and show them I'm here for them when I
can't be”.
2) How has participation in the Storybook Parents program affected
you?
“Storybook Parents program has given me a sence of achievement
and belonging towards my children, making it possible to teach
and entertain through recording, it has brought me closer to my
children”.
Storybook Parents
Challenges
• “Jails” in Toronto are remand facilities
• Clients are there for undetermined times
• Lots of turnover
• Infrastructure issues
• Staffing (in the jails)
• Lockdowns
• Lots of programs being offered
• Time
• Space
• Can only provide program during designated time frames
• Marketing
• Program staff need to be trained/oriented to work in the
venue
• Court order information is not easily available
• Official confirmation required before participation
Storybook Parents
Next steps for the program
• Expanding our work with recently released clients
• Parole and Probation Officers
• Investigate alternatives to CDs
• Clients writing and recording their own stories
• Looking for additional program funding
Storybook Parents
Tips for starting your own program
• Make a connection with the staff at the institutions
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Highlight the benefits of the program
• Help them fill a need that they may have (i.e..
Programming)
• Make connections with support organizations
• Be flexible
• Be patient
• Identify potential funding opportunities
• Municipal/Provincial funding
Storybook Parents
Questions?
Any questions or comments?
For more information, please contact:
Aly Velji, Manager, Adult Literacy Services
[email protected]
Courtney Cardozo, Youth Hub Coordinator (Previous Librarian, Storybook Parents
Program)
[email protected]
Geerthana Jegatheeswaran, Librarian, Storybook Parents Program
[email protected]