Over the past year, Lund has expanded its parenting program Kids-A-Part (KAP) to serve incarcerated fathers and their children—an important step in reducing the trauma experienced by families impacted by incarceration. KAP supports children, caregivers, and parents by strengthening connections and promoting healthy family relationships. Lund has long provided on-site services at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and following recent legislative changes, this work is now growing.
On June 12, 2025, Governor Phil Scott signed S.109 (Act 64), mandating that the Department of Corrections establish a Family Support Program at every facility to provide free parenting and family support to incarcerated parents and guardians, regardless of gender. Shortly after, Lund launched services at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. Since the contract began in October 2025, the team has hosted a dozen informational sessions, engaging approximately 60 fathers. Today, about 30 fathers are actively enrolled, and the program is fully staffed.
This expansion includes partnerships that help deepen our impact. Lund is subcontracting with Umbrella who will soon start to deliver weekly programming using the Ignite Change: Journey Towards Legacy (JTL) curriculum. Grounded in research on developmental and generational trauma, JTL helps participants build self-awareness, understand past experiences, and develop healthier behaviors—supporting stronger relationships and long-term resilience.
We are also collaborating with the University of Vermont Justice Research Center to establish baseline data and measure how support for KAP evolves over time. Additionally, Lund is engaged with the Vermont Justice Innovation Collaborative—an initiative expanding UVM and the Department of Corrections’ Prison Research and Innovation Network (PRIN). This collective brings together leaders across sectors to turn research into coordinated, real-world solutions that improve outcomes for individuals and families.
Initial survey feedback from incarcerated fathers highlights both the need and the importance of this work. Participants have expressed a strong desire to reconnect with their children, improve communication, and strengthen parenting skills. Many have shared appreciation for the opportunity, noting how meaningful it is to focus on family relationships while incarcerated. One father shared, “I want to connect with my children more than anything else in the world. I’ll do anything.”
Programs like KAP are helping to bridge gaps and strengthen bonds, giving parents meaningful opportunities to stay connected and show up differently for their children—even while incarcerated.
