Angie Vachio,
Children of Incarcerated Parents

Angie Vachio, cofounder of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Preschools, and executive director of PB&J Family Services, Inc., headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, has dedicated her life to protecting children at risk of abuse and neglect. PB&J’s ImPACT program operates in four New Mexico correctional facilities to reunify children with their incarcerated parents and reestablish the family unit once the incarcerated parent is released. In addition, PB&J has also founded the KidPACT program that provides support groups and other services for school-age children who have a parent in prison or come from a family with a history of criminality.

Vachio grew up in New York City and received her bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University. She has a master’s in special education from the University of New Mexico, and in 2002, Vachio received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of New Mexico in recognition of her achievements in serving children and families. She was honored with being selected recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2003 Commissioner Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of child protection.