Approximately 5 million children have experienced parental incarceration, and about 1 in 6 children in Minnesota have experienced parental incarceration. Experiences of homelessness or parental incarceration are associated with elevated risk for lower academic achievement in students, and high rates of parental incarceration have been reported among children experiencing homelessness. Parental incarceration and experiences of homelessness are associated with lower grades in school and more disciplinary actions, with experiences of both, associated with an even higher risk. Understanding how systems interact in the lives of children experiencing risk is vital to serving them. In this session we will explore these intersections, and discuss ways to mitigate risk and support vulnerable populations of youth as professionals doing direct service work.