Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint would receive a $60,000 grant to fund the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the grant to help provide guidance and assistance to the children of incarcerated parents. 

In a June letter to the HHS Administration for Children and Families, Kildee requested funding for the program citing that the Flint program had matched 238 children with adult mentors.

“This funding will help children of incarcerated parents develop a healthy and supportive relationship with a positive adult role model who can help them reach their full potential,” said Kildee.  “We must continue to provide funding for these types of mentoring programs so that at-risk children are able to avoid a life of drugs, crime and violence.  The Mentoring Children of Prisoners program has already prevented thousands of children from following in their parent’s footsteps by providing them with a safe and stable environment.”

The Mentoring Children of Prisoners program was designed to help minimize the disruption and instability that is caused by the incarceration of a parent.  These mentoring programs provide children with an opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a supportive, caring adult and a stable environment that can promote healthy values and strong families.  These programs have also helped reduce first-time drug and alcohol use, improve relationships and academic performance, and reduce the likelihood that these children will initiate violence.