Assisting Families Of Inmates Inc

TO SUPPORT UNDERSERVED FAMILIES OF THE INCARCERATED BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL VISITATION, FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS THAT ACHIEVE POSITIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED OUTCOMES.

AFOI'S VISITATION SERVICES INCLUDE OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, IN COOPERATION WITH VADJJ AND VADOC, WHICH INCLUDE COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION AND INCIDENTAL SERVICES FOR VISITATION BY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF JUVENILE RESIDENTS AND ADULT INMATES CONFINED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN VIRGINIA.AFOI'S VISITATION SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE OUR VIDEO VISITATION PROGRAM, IN COOPERATION WITH VADOC, WHICH PROVIDES A LOW-COST ALTERNATIVE (NO TRAVEL, LODGING, TIME-OFF-WORK, OR MEAL EXPENSES) TO IN-PERSON VISITS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH AN INCARCERATED LOVED ONE. VIDEO VISITATION ALSO ALLOWS FOR REDUCTION IN SECURITY RISKS AND PERSONNEL NECESSARY FOR FACILITES TO ACCOMPLISH VISITS INCLUDING CONTRABAND AND INMATE MOVEMENT. AFOI CURRENTLY PROVIDES VIDEO VISITATION OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL OF VIRGINIA'S ADULT CORRECTIONAL CENTERS EITHER REMOTELY FROM HOMES WORLDWIDE OR FROM ONE OF OUR VISITOR CENTERS(LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH IN ALEXANDRIA, CHARLOTTESVILLE, FREDERICKSBURG, MECHANICSVILLE, NORFOLK, RICHMOND AND ROANOKE).

AFOI'S CHILDREN'S SERVICES INCLUDE OUR MILK & COOKIES (MAC) CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AND ITS CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION. MAC PROVIDES SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMMING TO CHILDREN, GRADES K-5, WHO HAVE AN INCARCERATED PARENT, WITH THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING SELF-COMPETENCY, FEELINGS IDENTIFICATION, COPING SKILLS AND RESILIENCY FACTORS WITHIN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. AS EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION DECREASES, THE CHILDREN ARE THEN BETTER ABLE TO ACHIEVE SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY AND ACADEMICALLY. THE MAC PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF THESE CHILDREN IN ORDER TO REDUCE HOUSEHOLD STRESS AND BOOST THE HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

AFOI'S FAMILY SERVICES INCLUDE DIRECT SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE INCARCERATION OF A LOVED ONE. AFOI ALSO PARTNERS WITH VADJJ TO OFFER OUR HEARTY SUPPORT FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH - YOUTH EITHER REENTERING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM INCARCERATION OR YOUTH ON PROBATION AND PAROLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. AFOI ALSO OFFERS HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE TO IMPACTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; SUPPORT THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES LIKE OUR FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS AND SEMINAR SERIES, AND, DIRECT WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VADOC TO OPEN AND OPERATE FAMILY REUNIFICATION PROGRAMMING FOR INCARCERATED PARENTS, AND THEIR CHILDREN/FAMILIES, AS THE PARENT NEARS THE END OF THEIR SENTENCE AND REENTERS THEIR HOME AND COMMUNITY.