Celebrating Positive Outcomes – Family Reunification!
June is recognized by The American Bar Association as National Family Reunification Month. In Maricopa County, we gathered together on June 24, 2023 with a purpose:
To CELEBRATE the accomplishments of families who have overcome an array of challenges to reunify safely and successfully.
To RECOGNIZE the vital role that community partners- including mental health and substance abuse providers, courts and judges, foster parents, social workers and others – play in helping to reunify, strengthen, and support families.
To INSPIRE other parents – particularly those going through the recovery process – that it is possible to confront and resolve challenges that led to their family’s separation, and to reunify with their children.
VOICES knows CASA volunteers are an important factor in this journey and therefore have been a key sponsor of FRD since 2014. Dignitaries and community leaders, including Governor Hobbs and The Honorable Lori Bustamante, Presiding Judge of the Maricopa County Juvenile Court, gathered to highlight the positive impact of reunified families on the community. DCS Director Lujan also delivered a video message of support and encouragement.
A new ‘Family Reunification Network’ was also launched on Foster Cooperative where families can register and engage in peer and community support.
Other sponsors include Casey Family Program, Family Involvement Center, and the Governor’s Office of Youth Faith and Family (to learn more and see information on past events)
Each year, partners across Maricopa County come together to rally for families who have reunified with their loved ones. Thousands of Arizona children are reunified with their families every year and the outpouring of love and joy our families have for each other inspires the entire community.