The release of the Center for American Progress’ report, Removing Barriers to Opportunity for Parents With Criminal Records and Their Children, was coupled with a panel discussion. Panelists analyzed the number of U.S. children who have at least one parent with a criminal record, the organization hosted a panel exploring the intergenerational effects of parental criminal records across five pillars of family well-being—income, savings and assets, education, housing, and family strength and stability—and how a two-generation policy approach to addressing barriers to opportunity associated with having a criminal record can strengthen a family’s economic security, thereby giving both parents and children a fair shot.

The event featured a presentation by Rebecca Vallas, Director of Policy, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress, was moderated by Todd A. Cox, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress and included featured panelists:

Carol Fennelly, Founder and Director, Hope House DC
Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Amy L. Solomon, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Scot T. Spencer, Associate Director for Advocacy and Influence, Center for Community and Economic Opportunity, The Annie E. Casey Foundation