This new Four Building Blocks of HOPE resource was developed in partnership with and tailored specifically for caregivers who have experienced or are still experiencing incarceration. In recognition of the unique challenges faced by this community, this fact sheet offers practical strategies on how to access the Four Building Blocks of HOPE for families impacted by incarceration. From fostering relationships to creating nurturing environments, each Building Block is crafted to empower caregivers with the tools they need to promote positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and build resilience.

So many families across the United States are affected by mass incarceration. In 2020, nearly one out of every 100 people in the U.S., or 1% of the total U.S. population, were incarcerated. The United States leads across the globe in the most amount of people incarcerated and those labeled with an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) from having a parent who is incarcerated. We need to find and support ways to promote healing and build resilience within these affected families.

Promotion of PCEs through the Four Building Blocks of HOPE

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE are broad categories of positive childhood experiences – relationship, environment, engagement, and emotional growth. Each Building Block has an unlimited number of ways that individuals can practice and connect with it, and it is up to each family and community to define what each Building Block means to them. Even in the face of ACEs, parents can still find spaces to provide PCEs for their children and ease the effects of ACEs. Resilience can be built over time, and PCEs help us find our strength through experiences of finding safety, feeling loved, and knowing that you matter. This resource shares how families affected by incarceration can provide these positive experiences and promote healing and resilience.

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