See Us, Support Us Guiding Principles
See Us, Support Us (SUSU) is a national awareness raising initiative about and an affirming community for children and young adults affected by parental incarceration. SUSU is guided by the following principles which were co-created with those whose parents are involved in the criminal legal system and SUSU Partners.
The criminal legal system should balance accountability and healing, while averting or minimizing family separation.
Oppression and dehumanization of Black, Indigenous and people of color is perpetuated by the criminal legal system. Policies and practices must be examined and new approaches rooted in healing and restoration enacted to achieve just treatment, equitable possibilities, and liberation.
Young people’s needs should be considered throughout the duration of their parents’ involvement in the criminal legal system, from arrest to reentry.
Young people should be free of the stigma and stereotypes that limit their future prospects and well-being. They should have access to affirming, inclusive spaces that create a sense of belonging.
Persistent patterns of oppression, racism, trauma, and poverty may result in the incarceration of family members across generations. We refrain from speaking about “breaking the cycle of intergenerational incarceration” because this narrative does not acknowledge these persistent patterns and largely places blame on families.
Approach young people with empathy and compassion, not judgment and pity. Recognizing the emotional challenges they may be experiencing due to their parent’s incarceration shows our capacity for understanding and providing support.
Young people must have accessible and cost-free ways to maintain contact with their incarcerated parents. Contact visits, phone calls, packages, letters, email, and video conferencing, can promote young people’s well-being, and support active parenting and successful reentry.
Young people must be co-creators in developing programs, policies, and practices that affect them.
Young people thrive and succeed despite challenges when provided with support and opportunities.
Thank you to SUSU and youth with lived experiences for creating these!
www.susu-osborne.org/guiding-principles
1 in every 28 children in the United States has an incarcerated parent.*
In North Carolina, more than 18,000 children have a parent in prison. According to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, an estimated 160,000 children in the state have experienced parental incarceration and the resulting consequences.
Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons Center is a statewide program committed to the well-being of these children through advocacy, education, and outreach.
In order to support children with an incarcerated parent and help them persevere through such a challenging experience, Sesame Workshop launched the Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration initiative. The bi-lingual (English/Spanish) resources include videos and a storybook for children to help support and comfort them, videos and guides for parents and caregivers to help them find the language to talk about incarceration with their children, and a resource for the incarcerated parent that highlights the importance of communication.
For more information, visit the Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration website or contact Our Children's Place.
A Bill of Rights for the Children of Incarcerated Parents
The San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (SFCIPP) created this downloadable bill of rights. Click either link below to download your copy.
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of David Reeser, founder of OpiAID and a tireless advocate for those affected by substance use and overdose. Through Coastal Horizons’ partnership with OpiAID, we saw firsthand David’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and strengthening our community. David’s legacy is one of compassion in action. He met people where they were, without judgment, and worked every day to give them another chance at life. We are deeply grateful for the partnership we shared and the lives that were changed because of his vision and leadership. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughters, and the entire Reeser family during this difficult time.
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Big news for access to care in our community! Coastal Horizons has opened a new on-site pharmacy in partnership with Genoa Healthcare—making it easier than ever for patients to get the medications they need, all in one place.
From pre-filled pill organizers to free delivery, this is about removing barriers and improving lives. 💙
👉 Click the link in our bio to read how this new addition is helping patients stay on track and get the care they deserve.
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