A serious problem facing this country today is the 2.7 million children who are currently left behind in incredible pain while their parents are placed behind bars (Maier 91). They are left behind not only with pain, but also with the difficulties of living everyday life without the guidance of their parents, as well as the need to find a new home. According to Denise Johnston, a child development specialist and founding director of the Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents, "there are more than 10 million minor children in the United States who have experienced the incarceration of their parents." over time” (91). The Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) program must take the lead in the reunification process between incarcerated parents and the children they leave behind. The Big Brother Big Sister program is designed to nurture children who have never had that feeling of connection before, also helping them recognize their potential and helping them build a bright future. The BBBS program serves many children around the world who face various challenges in life, but a related program is the Amachi program. “The Amachi program specifically helps children with an incarcerated parent broaden and overcome their perspectives on what they can achieve in life” (Big Brother Big Sister). In addition to the responsibilities they assume, the Amachi/BBBS program is also expected to help reunite these children with their parents once they are released from prison. Ultimately, the presence of these BBBS mentors to encourage these children to visit their parents creates an easier path to full reunification. According to R. Anna Hayward and Diane DePanfilis of Universe......middle of article......"Social Work in Public Health. 27.1-2 (2012): 12-28. Web. 10 April 2014. Maier, Katrin. “Children of Incarcerated Parents.” Taylor & Francis Online 12.1 (2006): 91-105. Web. . “Issues Affecting the Effectiveness of Programs for Children of Incarcerated Parents.” Journal of Correctional Education. 62.3 (2011): 166-174. Web. March 4, 2014. Osofsky, Joy D. Young Childrn and Trauma: Intervention and Treatment. New York: Guilford Press, 2004. eBook. Reed, Diane F. and Edward L. Reed. “Children of incarcerated parents”. Social justice. 24.3 (1997): 152-169. Web, U.S. Government Accountability Office: More information and collaboration. Could promote connections between children in foster care and their incarcerated patients: Washington, 2013. Web..