New Parenting Class Launches at the Jail

July 20, 2021

New Parenting Class

Launches at the Jail

According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, more than 18 million children in America live without their biological father at home, which increases their chances of going to jail, living in poverty, teenage pregnancy, depression, and substance abuse. Among the reasons for absent fathers, incarceration is a leading cause. The Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that close to six million kids in the U.S. have experienced losing a parent to incarceration at some point in their lives.

At the Pinellas County Jail, fathers must live with the consequences of being separated from their children. However, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office social workers like Andrew Goldstein say that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. On July 13, 2021, Goldstein began teaching a class at the Pinellas County Jail called “InsideOut Dad,” which helps inmates work on becoming better fathers. “I think the father’s role is so important in children’s lives,” Goldstein said. “It’s not impossible to be a father from inside the jail, but they need to learn what they can do while they’re here. They can become better dads and have better relationships with their children and then take that with them when they leave.”

The InsideOut Dad program will be taught in two-hour sessions over 12 weeks, and each inmate will receive a certificate of completion for finishing the course. The sessions cover topics on communications skills, co-parenting, and learning how to nurture their kids effectively. The course includes video clips, prompts for group discussion, and workbooks that cultivate critical-thinking skills through question and answer exercises.

“When I was asked if I was interested in teaching this class, I had no hesitation,” Goldstein said. “My dad was always there for me, and all I ever wanted to do was be a good dad like him. He taught me to help people, respect people, not to judge people, and I want to pass those values on not only to my kids, but also to the men in this group.”

In addition to offering the course to inmates, Program Services also mails Sesame Street, “Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration” kits to inmates’ families and caregivers who provide support to children ages 3-8. The kit has a guide for caregivers on how to understand what their children may be feeling and how to notice changes in behavior. There is also a DVD and children’s storybook that discusses the absence of the incarcerated parent.

“I believe parenting shouldn’t end in prison or jail, and if the parent can be a positive influence in the child’s life, they should have the opportunity to do so,” Program Services Supervisor Ramona Schaefer said.

“A positive male presence can shape and form a child’s life. When fathers have consistent and continued contact during their period of incarceration, it strengthens the bond between parent and child. After being released, some men have a difficult time rejoining their families, especially if they’ve become estranged due to lack of contact with their children. Without proper interventions, the cycle of broken families and neglectful relationships will go on and recidivism (the reoccurrence of criminal behavior and jail time) will be more likely.”

Although the Program Services staff members don’t always know if their classes make a difference in inmates’ lives, occasionally, they receive feedback. A couple of years ago, Goldstein received an email from a woman. Her husband had been in the Pinellas County Jail and taken one of Goldstein’s classes on making smarter choices in the early 2000s. She wanted to let him and the Program Services team know that even though he recently passed away from cancer, he had talked about them all the time and how much they influenced him not going back to jail, being a better partner, a better father, and a better worker.

“There are people we see come back to jail, and then people we never see again,” Goldstein said. “The opportunity to help someone who is struggling and wants to change their life is why I come to work every day.”

Three National Night Out Events Planned for August 3rd

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies nationwide for National Night Out—an annual campaign that fosters community partnerships between law enforcement and the community. The events give citizens an opportunity to learn more about law enforcement, public safety, and other community programming.

This year, we are hosting the event at three different locations in Pinellas County on August 3rd from 6-8 p.m.: Seminole City Park in Seminole, Edgewater Park in Dunedin, and Horan Park in St. Pete Beach.

“National Night Out has been bringing communities and law enforcement together for almost 40 years and has never been more important than it is today,” Communications & Public Education Manager Ricky Butler said. “It is one of the many tools that law enforcement has in its toolbox to reach the communities they serve. Despite Facebook, Nextdoor, and other social media platforms, there is no substitute for in-person engagement.”

The sheriff’s office will have interactive family fun, vehicle displays, public safety information booths, and demonstrations from specialized units, including the Canine Unit.

Butler added, “Taking some time to stop by one of our three events is a fun, educational way to get involved and get to know your community, specifically law enforcement.”

Summer Heat Safety Tips

Cities across the country have been experiencing record-breaking heat waves, and the Tampa Bay area has been no exception. Taking extra precautions to prevent dehydration, heatstroke, dizziness, and other life-threatening situations is of crucial importance during peak summer months, especially when children are present.

Follow these safety tips if you go outside in the heat for any length of time:

Never Leave Children or Pets in Your Vehicle

It doesn’t matter if you’re only stopping for a few minutes, you should never leave children or pets inside a hot car. According to the nonprofit KidsandCars.org, more than 1,000 kids in the U.S. have died from heatstroke in hot cars since 1990, and there has already been at least one child death in Florida in 2021. In just 10 minutes, the temperature can increase by 20 degrees inside a car. Additionally, a child’s body can heat up five times faster than an adult’s. A child left in a hot car for just 20 minutes has very little chance of survival. Always check to make sure that nobody is inside the car when you leave and, as always, lock your doors.

Stay Hydrated

When it’s hot, your body loses fluids rapidly through sweat to help you cool down, so it’s even more important to drink lots of water. The heat can make you feel sluggish and lightheaded. If you start to feel symptoms of heat stroke, get to a cooler area immediately, hydrate, and rest. If you don’t feel better after resting, seek medical attention. Untreated heatstroke can damage vital organs and can even lead to death.

Watch Children Around Water

One of the best ways to cool off during the summer months is to take a trip to the beach or pool. With so many water activities, it’s crucial to pay attention to children around water. Accidental child drowning is still a leading cause of child deaths all over the country. More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death in the U.S. Never leave a child alone near water, and stay alert monitoring them while they are swimming. If your child has a disability and is prone to wander near water, sign them up for the Take Me Home program. By registering your child, law enforcement can quickly identify them in case they go missing and could prevent an accident like drowning.

Click here to sign up for Take Me Home.

Job Feature: Law Enforcement Pilot

The Aircraft Pilot serves in the Flight Unit of the Patrol Operations Bureau and assists with search and rescue missions, Canine Unit tracking, and other needs of the county. The person in this role must maintain a current Commercial FAA Rotorcraft/Helicopter Pilot Certificate and must complete certification of law enforcement training as required by the State of Florida or Equivalency of Training (EOT) program.

To learn more and apply, click here.