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June is National Reunification Month and highlights the importance of safely reuniting children with their parents whenever possible, in environments where they can heal, grow, and thrive. Supporting and maintaining family connections are essential to the health and well-being of children. Everyone working within the child welfare system has a role in safely reunifying families and obtaining positive permanency as soon as possible. Continue reading to explore national and statewide resources designed to support successful reunification.
The Child Welfare Information Gateway’s Reunifying Families Page features materials to help professionals engage parents, assess readiness, and support reunification, including fact sheets for parents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, and information related to reasonable efforts to preserve or reunify families, virtual family time, and concurrent planning for timely permanence.
The American Bar Association has continued its expanded focus on family unity by moving from family reunification to family unification through education and resources. Their National Family Unification Month webpage highlights various events and resources as well as support and information for communities interested in hosting family unification and reunification events.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) maintains Parent Collaboration Groups, comprised of a network of parents who are or have experienced the child welfare system, that support parents on the path to reunification. A list of regional Parent Collaboration Groups can be found on the DFPS website. Parents who wish to volunteer with a local group can contact their regional SSCC/CPS liaison for more information.
The Children’s Commission’s Parent Resource Guide is available in English and Spanish to help parents understand the Texas child welfare system and the path towards reunification. Additionally, the 2025 webinar entitled “Supporting Reunification in Child Welfare Cases” is available on the Children’s Commission On-Demand Training and MCLE webpage. The webinar provides insights into barriers and strengths as children and families navigate the complexities of the child welfare system and work towards successful reunification.
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