“Expecting the Best” – Miriam’s Promise is the only entity that currently offers help to incarcerated pregnant women in Middle Tennessee jails. The need for this program became apparent on reciept of a desperate letter from an expectant inmate in the Davidson County Jail.

Today, through counseling and support, the program meets the needs of these women and aligns with our mission statement to ensure the well-being of children: before, during and after birth. “Expecting the Best” is an eight-week program consisting of weekly group sessions of 7-8 inmates. The sessions cover issues that positively impact:

• decision making
• parenting
• family planning
• life skills
• past traumas
• attachment issues

Since many of them have experienced chaotic childhoods, attachment issues are also addressed to enhance parenting skills and help them understand and deal with the emotional challenges of children of incarcerated parents. Following incarceration, Miriam’s Promise continues to offer support service and counseling to insure positive outcomes for these women both as individuals and as mothers.