Focusing on Family
Chicago Beyond partnered with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Chicago Children’s Museum to initiate family-friendly, child-centered visitation experiences for children, their incarcerated fathers, and their caregivers. The initiative was the first-of-its-kind in the nation to focus on the father-child relationship and, with the support of the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children’s Hospital, applied a trauma-informed approach throughout the visit to support all participants and staff.
Human-centered impact
The Cook County Visitation Pilot’s human-centered model removed many physical, mental, and emotional barriers found in a traditional visitation such as plexiglass and the stigmas associated with visitation. The program was designed to foster greater connection between incarcerated individuals and their families. Today, this model is available to more than 60,000 people who are admitted into Cook County Jail every year.
In addition to quantitative impact, quotes from participants speak to the power of this work.
- “Seeing my kid and being able to have this opportunity motivates me to be a better dad.” Participating father
- “The visit helped change how law enforcement relates to the community and combat the stigma and biases associated with law enforcement.” Cook County Sheriff’s Office staff member
- “Seeing the dads introduce one another to their families felt good. There was real community amongst the families.” Lurie Children’s Hospital staff member
Human-centered impact
The Cook County Visitation Pilot’s human-centered model removed many physical, mental, and emotional barriers found in a traditional visitation such as plexiglass and the stigmas associated with visitation. The program was designed to foster greater connection between incarcerated individuals and their families. Today, this model is available to more than 60,000 people who are admitted into Cook County Jail every year.
In addition to quantitative impact, quotes from participants speak to the power of this work.
- “Seeing my kid and being able to have this opportunity motivates me to be a better dad.” Participating father
- “The visit helped change how law enforcement relates to the community and combat the stigma and biases associated with law enforcement.” Cook County Sheriff’s Office staff member
- “Seeing the dads introduce one another to their families felt good. There was real community amongst the families.” Lurie Children’s Hospital staff member