Trauma-Focused Advocacy for Children with Incarcerated Parents

by Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson (July 2025)

[Preview of the Advocacy in Action Coalition Plenary Topic, Presented During the 2025 Connecting 4 Justice International Conference, Las Vegas, NV.]

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in awareness and educational focus on trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). While this attention is essential, the rapid circulation of information through social media and digital platforms can sometimes lead to oversimplified or misleading portrayals of trauma—often packaged as memes, clickbait, or "quick-fix" solutions. This commodification risks minimizing the real and profound impact trauma has on children and families.

At DC Project Connect, we strive to bring clarity and depth to this conversation. Drawing from our recent publication, Children of Imprisoned Parents: A Guide to Holistic Caregiver and Child Well-Being, Chapter 11 addresses the complex topics of ACEs, trauma, and emotional triggers. The chapter provides a brief history of the original ACE study and explains trauma through the lens of brain and body science, helping caregivers and advocates understand trauma not just behaviorally, but physiologically.

Understanding ACEs: The Disruptors of Childhood Stability

Adverse Childhood Experiences are events or conditions that disrupt a child’s sense of safety and stability. Parental incarceration is just one of several ACEs, but it's an increasingly common one, affecting millions of children in the U.S. and globally (Massetti et al., 2020). Other ACEs include abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and exposure to violence.

Importantly, ACEs are not classified as mental illnesses. However, they are strongly correlated with a higher risk of future mental health challenges, physical health issues, and social struggles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019b):

• 1 in 6 adults report having experienced four or more ACEs.

• 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are linked to ACEs.

• Preventive efforts focused on increasing protective factors could reduce the impact of ACEs by up to 44%.

• Prevention of ACEs could decrease depression rates by 21 million cases in the U.S. alone.

• Chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes are also preventable in part by addressing ACEs early.

These statistics underscore the importance of early intervention and trauma-informed care.

The Role of Stability in Early Development

Children need stability to develop a healthy sense of self and security. Unstable environments—especially during early childhood—can cause significant emotional and cognitive stress. According to Butcher et al. (2007), children are particularly vulnerable during such periods because:

• They have not yet developed a strong sense of identity, making emotional regulation and interpretation of events more difficult.

• They have limited historical perspective, meaning they can't compare current events to previous experiences to contextualize their emotions.

• They often overcompensate in the face of stress, sometimes responding to relatively minor issues with exaggerated reactions or misunderstandings.

For example, a young child grieving a parent's death might attempt suicide—not due to an intent to die, but from a desire to "reunite" with the lost parent. This kind of misinterpretation underscores the need for developmentally appropriate trauma responses and emotional support.

The Double-Edged Sword of Overprotection

Although children rely on adults for safety and support, an overly protective environment can also be detrimental. Overprotection may prevent children from developing resilience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to cope with rejection or failure.

In such cases, children may face future challenges when navigating social expectations, managing personal disappointment, or asserting themselves in adverse situations. Encouraging appropriate independence and emotional resilience is key to long-term well-being.

Long-Term Health Impacts of ACEs

The CDC (2018a) and others have emphasized how ACEs can have lifelong effects. These include:

• Disrupted neurodevelopment

• Social-emotional and cognitive impairments

• Adoption of health-risk behaviors

• Increased risk for chronic diseases and early death

  
  

Felitti et al.'s foundational ACE study (1998) showed clear links between early adversity and a range of negative adult outcomes, including heart disease, substance use, and mental illness. Talley (2018) also connects these early-life stressors with systemic issues such as historical trauma, social inequity, and intergenerational transmission of pain.

Moving Toward Trauma-Informed Advocacy

Understanding the full scope of ACEs and their effects is critical for caregivers, educators, clinicians, and policymakers. Children of incarcerated parents often face multiple ACEs simultaneously, putting them at higher risk for poor outcomes if not supported by trauma-informed and culturally responsive systems of care.

By prioritizing prevention, enhancing protective factors, and fostering resilience, we can mitigate the long-term effects of trauma and help children lead healthier, more stable lives.

Preventing Re-Traumatization: Guidelines for Advocates Supporting Children and Families of Incarcerated Individuals

When working with children and families impacted by incarceration, advocates play a critical role in promoting healing—not unintentionally deepening emotional wounds. Re-traumatization can occur when individuals are exposed to reminders or conditions that echo their original trauma. This can happen even in well-meaning support environments if care isn't taken to provide safety, choice, and empowerment.

Here are 10 key strategies to help prevent re-traumatization when engaging with these vulnerable populations:

1. Prioritize Emotional and Physical Safety: Always begin by ensuring the environment feels safe, predictable, and non-threatening. Be mindful of tone, posture, room setup, and any triggering elements (e.g., locked doors, loud noises, uniforms).

2. Use Trauma-Informed Language: Avoid labels like “at-risk,” “broken,” or “delinquent.” Instead, use strengths-based language that honors the child's or family’s resilience, dignity, and potential.

3. Offer Predictability and Clear Expectations: Clearly explain processes, routines, or next steps to reduce anxiety about the unknown. Surprises or unclear expectations can trigger trauma responses.

4. Respect Autonomy and Choice: Trauma often involves a loss of control. Offer choices whenever possible—what to talk about, where to sit, or whether they prefer a parent or advocate present.

5. Avoid Requiring Disclosure: Don’t pressure children or caregivers to share personal stories or trauma details. Build trust over time, and allow disclosures to happen voluntarily, if and when they’re ready.

6. Understand Cultural and Generational Trauma: Acknowledge and respect how trauma may intersect with race, culture, and history. Be especially aware of systemic inequities that contribute to incarceration and trauma cycles.

7. Be Mindful of Body Language and Eye Contact: Some individuals, particularly children, may interpret certain gestures (e.g., standing over them, prolonged eye contact) as threatening. Maintain a calm and respectful presence.

8. Validate, Don’t Minimize, Emotional Reactions: If a child becomes upset, validate their feelings without overreacting or dismissing them. Statements like “That sounds really hard” or “You’re not alone” can be grounding.

9. Collaborate with, Not Over, Families: Empower caregivers and family members by involving them in decision-making and planning. Reinforce their role as protectors and nurturers rather than sidelining them.

10. Practice Ongoing Self-Awareness and Supervision: Be honest about your own triggers and limitations. Engage in regular supervision, peer support, or reflection to avoid projecting your own emotions or burnout onto the families you serve.

Sources

• Butcher, J. N., Hooley, J. M., & Mineka, S. (2007). Abnormal Psychology (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018a). Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Leveraging the Best Available Evidence. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/preventingACES.pdf

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019b). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

• Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., ... & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.

• Massetti, G. M., Ford, D. C., Thomas, C. C., et al. (2020). Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Risk of Cancer Among Adults in Five U.S. States. Preventive Medicine, 132, 105999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.105999

• Talley, L. (2018). Historical Trauma and Its Impact on Health and Well-Being: A Multigenerational Perspective. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 11(2), 1–12.

For more information related to trauma and DC Project Connect's publications and resources, please complete the contact form and specifically state your requests. Join us in collaboration with the Connecting 4 Justice International, as the Advocacy in Action Coalition Presents Trauma Informed Advocacy at the 2025 Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

In Solidarity,

Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson