Embedded Librarianship in Correctional Facilities Taking Services To

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 • • • 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 -20 reasons-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 avelji@torontopubliclibrary. ca Courtney Cardozo, Youth Hub Coordinator (Previous Librarian, Storybook Parents Program) ccardozo@torontopubliclibrary. ca Geerthana Jegatheeswaran, Librarian, Storybook Parents Program gjegatheeswaran@torontopubliclibrary. ca