June is National Reunification Month – a perfect time to recognize the people and efforts that help families stay together. CASA of North Mississippi recognizes 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.
In honor of National Reunification Month, we celebrate our volunteers and service providers who work hard to identify family strengths to reunite separated families. According to the Children’s Bureau with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the majority of children exiting foster care are reunited with their families. Placing children with relatives helps to maintain family connections and cultural traditions that can minimize the trauma of family separation and relieve the anxieties that come with traditional foster placements. When children cannot safely remain with their parents and need to enter foster care, reunifying them with their families remains the primary goal.
In fact, over the past years, the percentage of reunifications that occurred in less than 12 months from the time of entry into foster care was between 65% - 67%. Additionally, in 2020, 42% of nationwide CASA case closures were the result of reunification with parents or primary caretakers. 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. Our CASA volunteers commit to strengthening families in their ability to care for and protect their children.