SINCE 1980, THE NUMBER OF WOMEN in the Los Angeles County Jail System has increased 500%, largely due to substance abuse and related crimes. Each year, more than 4,000 women with children under the age of five are released back into the community. Sadly, this has resulted in thousands of forgotten victims: their children. Studies show that these children are punished for their mother's crimes with feelings of abandonment, shame, distrust, and fear. In time, they're at greater risk of following in their mothers' footsteps, with higher rates of school dropout, gang affiliation, and criminal activity.

In the first attempt of its kind to address the problem, Volunteers of America (VOA) has developed an innovative strategy that reaches out to this neglected group of children. "Reuniting Mother and Child" will involve up to 100 pre-school-age children of prisoners in its inaugural year. The Weingart Foundation has provided a $472,000 grant for the pilot project.

In one aspect of the program, VOA staff will provide early childhood education and other developmental activities to the children wherever they live - with Mom, in foster care, with relatives or friends. The goal: to improve their odds of success in school and in life.

Mothers receive services upon release from jail, including schooling in child development and parenting, at home and at VOA Centers. They also can access such VOA programs as job training and counseling, in hopes of preventing a return to jail. In addition to preparing children for school, VOA officials want to solidify the bonding between mother and child crucial for healthy development. "It's an overwhelming challenge," admits Bob Pratt, VOA president. "But someone has to start somewhere."

Christina Sandoval, 20, understands the long-term effects of being the child of a prisoner. Her mother, a drug addict, died four years ago. Christina herself now faces two years in state prison for several felony convictions. Her daughter, Taegan, was born last April.

Christina is counting on the VOA program to keep her connected to Taegan and to teach parenting skills to her and her boyfriend, whose family is caring for the baby. She's determined to do well when she gets out of prison. "I don't want my daughter waking up and Mommy's not there. I'm going to be there for her."