Even Start

Teach the parent…Reach the child.

	Without the Even Start program, I wouldn’t be able to see my children. Seeing my children means the world to me.
	-Cynthia

The Even Start program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon offers incarcerated mothers the opportunity to spend quality time connecting with their children in a supportive and nurturing environment.  With a focus on child and adult literacy, parenting, and early childhood services, this evidence-based program provides valuable parent/child interaction, parent education and advocacy.

	Even Start has helped me learn parenting skills and have one-on-one time with my son.
	-Heather

Even Start focuses on improving literary outcomes and mother/child relationships through planned activities and meaningful contact. The program helps parents develop skills to create literary activities that support and nurture their child’s development and learning. Through a partnership with Portland Public Schools, children involved in Even Start are also offered educational support services at their schools.

Parent and child time together occurs twice monthly for a two-hour period. Eligible children age birth to seven come to Coffee Creek’s Even Start classroom where they participate in literacy activities. Not only does this time together provide valuable visitation, it also demonstrates and reinforces the power of literacy activities on the critical mother-child bond. Mothers use this time to practice parenting skills with the support and guidance of staff and peers.

	Even Start helps me maintain the bond I have with my children.
	-Shannon

In addition to offering an opportunity for positive parenting and meaningful visitations with their children, mothers involved in the Even Start program are also enrolled in parenting and adult basic education classes. Through Parenting Inside Out, mothers build skills to effectively parent from prison and meet weekly to discuss emerging parenting issues, attend special workshops and participate in a book club. A partnership with Portland Community College offers mothers either Adult Basic education, GED or computer technology classes. Each participant develops an individual transitional plan to prepare for eventual release back into her family and community.

The Coffee Creek Even Start program is the first of its kind in a prison in this country, bringing mothers and children together to improve literacy and ultimately strengthen the family bond through enhanced parenting skills and education. 

	Because of the Even Start program, my son and I have become much closer. Understanding his feelings will make…our life much easier.
	-Crystal