The first lesson in the Extended Family for Kids (EFK) curriculum is “What’s Your Story?” and opens with a meaningful survey titled “It’s All About Me.” EFK is an evidence-based program designed for children in kindergarten through 12th grade who have a loved one who is currently or has ever been incarcerated. This introductory activity helps participants of all ages begin building trust with one another, a vital step in creating the safe and supportive environment they need to thrive.
The first two questions in the survey immediately reassure students that they are not alone. Using simple fill-in-the-blank prompts, children learn that their peers share similar experiences. Many of them have endured stigma, shame, and a learned silence around incarceration in their families, which often leads to deep feelings of isolation. From day one, EFK begins to dismantle those barriers. Tools like the “It’s All About Me” survey help students release negative emotions, reduce stigma, and start building genuine friendships within their group.
A favorite question in the survey lightens the mood and encourages connection through humor with the question, “I wish ____ were incarcerated.” Responses range from the playful, “I wish math were incarcerated” to the sincere, “I wish people who hurt others were incarcerated.” And in nearly every group, one thoughtful answer appears time and again, “I wish nobody were incarcerated.”
That wish is what fuels Extended Family’s mission, “To offer help and inspire hope.” Our goals are to prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, reduce recidivism among youth and adults, and help break the cycle of incarceration in families. When we succeed, we bring our communities one step closer to realizing what so many children hope for, that one day, “nobody will be incarcerated.”
By bringing Extended Family for Kids to your community, you can change the trajectory of a child’s life. We provide EFK Program Leader Training for adults who work with children through organizations that follow safe-child practices, ensuring that each community can deliver this program effectively and sustainably. We are scheduling EFK Program Leader Trainings now for the coming year.
To learn how you can support Extended Family or implement EFK in your community, please visit our website, www.extendedfamilyhelp.org. With your partnership, we can reach more children who need us. Together, we are changing lives – one child at a time.