June is National Reunification Month

June is National Reunification Month, when we raise awareness and celebrate and recognize those who help families stay together. We know that the vast majority of parents love their children, and the parents of the children we serve in foster care are no exception. That’s why CASA’s top priority is to support families towards reunification, whenever safe and possible.This June we also celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to providing a safe and loving home for their children and are able to reunify after their child was placed in the child welfare system. It is important for our work as CASAs that there is a focus on supporting families with community resources to reduce the number of interactions with the child welfare system. In 2020, 42% of CASA case closures were the result of reunification with parents or primary caretakers or children and youth remaining with parents throughout the life of the case.Each year the American Bar Association highlights parents, professionals, and youth "reunification heroes" who demonstrate the compassion and perseverance to keep families together. Learn more about their stories here.Legal Services of New Jersey’s Reunified Foster Youth Program have shared reunification stories with the American Bar Association (ABA). Each story and circumstance is different—but they all share a focus on the unique, powerful, and healing bond of family. Read their stories here.

This factsheet explores what foster caregivers can do to work with the birth families of the children in their care to promote reunification. This may include actively communicating with the birth parents, the caseworker, and the agency; accessing help from a variety of sources; cultivating trust and compassion; and maintaining contact with families after reunification or other permanency.This factsheet shares stories and advice from caregivers and birth parents who have experienced kinship care on the importance of maintaining boundaries, managing family dynamics, building trust, positive parenting and communication, and securing support. Relative caregivers may face certain challenges when caring for a family member's children. A better understanding of how to maintain boundaries and respond to the birth parents' needs and concerns can help kinship caregivers improve reunification odds and long-term outcomes.

CASA volunteers work with experts to identify and recommend services aimed at keeping families together. Reunified families that restore children and youth to their family of origin are an inspiration because they have overcome difficulties and are equipped with tools to address future challenges. At Maryland CASA Association, we are grateful to our CASA volunteers for their involvement in reunifying children with their families.

Learn more about becoming a CASA Volunteer here.

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