Let's think about what back-to-school time looks like for children whose parents are in prison. No school supplies shopping w/their parents, limited chances to talk about new school jitters, concerns about who in school they can talk to. Are we doing all we can to support them?

This week's "Why Me for OCP?" has a slight twist - Why We! Thanks to the folks w/NC Collaborative for putting this together!

We love seeing that we're included in this recently updated Caldwell County resource!

One of our Coastal Horizons Center co-workers wrote a chapter (21, "Remaking a Family") in this "so much food for thought" book. ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9…

We might be post-Labor Day, but our summer reading continues. This book gave us so many "pause & think" moments as we followed Tracy & her family on this journey. We look forward to adding it to the book lists on our website. kcjohnsonwrites.com/this-is-my-ame…

The Coastal Horizons Center annual report was released last week during the annual meeting. We're on page 25! bit.ly/3AQK3Yf

This is such a wonderful story about a little girl & her first visit to see her father in prison! We'll be adding the book to the book lists on our website. Thanks again, Reda, for creating this! bit.ly/3XllslS

Looking forward to a thoughtful conversation w/Onslow County DSS staff Tuesday a.m.! We appreciation the invitation.

"Why Me for OCP?" continues this week w/this thoughtful piece and photo! NC Adult Correction

Sunday was Grandparents Appreciation Day. Thinking about the many grands who have dual roles - caring for grandchildren whose parents are in prison, being parents to children who are incarcerated. Are we doing all we can to support them? Thanks Generations United for this great graphic!

Please help us spread the word about this amazing opportunity for students!

Sometimes small gestures have outsized impacts! One of the granddaughters who participated in Parent Day @ Randolph Correctional 2 weeks ago donated these art supplies for a future Parent Day!

Wild weather aside, we look forward to a thoughtful conversation this afternoon @ this summit. We appreciate the invitation!

This week's "Why Me for OCP?" post includes both a thoughtful piece & some original artwork produced by a man who has spent time in prison!

What a great way to wrap up the week . . . presenting at the NCAEYC annual conference! We're glad to be back after a few years away.

We love that September is Smart Start month! And while September is coming to an end shortly, we know that the amazing work of Smart Start will continue throughout the year & across the state!

Most of us would agree that Covid showed us the importance of touch, including hugs. For too many children w/incarcerated parents, those hugs are impossible. Civil Rights Corps right2hug.org

We're closing out this year's "Why Me for OCP?" campaign with a "Why We?" piece, thanks to Kristen and Christy, our wonderful research partners!

Our goal is to have 31 group photos (one for each day of the month) showing #SeeUsSupportUs signs! If you'd like to help us reach our goal, let us know & we'll email you signs.

This is one of those "so intense, yet so hard to put down" types of books! Thanks, Angie Thomas! We'll be adding this to the book lists on our website. angiethomas.com/concrete-rose/