NCJ Number
236862
Date Published
June 2011
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Youth discusses the benefits of family reunification.
Abstract
Among child welfare professionals, the concept of family reunification refers to "the process of returning children in temporary out-of-home care to their families of origin." For children in out-of-home care, reunification with their family is the most common goal and the most common outcome. This brief notes that during fiscal year 2009, more than half (51 percent) of children exiting foster care were returned to their parent or principal caregiver. This brief focuses on strategies that can help families achieve successful reunification. These strategies include meaningful family engagement, assessment and case planning, and service delivery. The brief examines these strategies in terms of the following: what have the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) identified regarding family reunification in States; what does the literature report about the success of family reunification; and what are some examples of success from child welfare agencies around the country. The CFSRs identified three systemic issues that need to be addressed: increased funding for reunification, cooperation between the courts and child welfare agencies, and improved staffing levels. Research on family reunification has identified four areas of family engagement that are important to the success of reunification: the relationship between the caseworker and the family, parent-child visitation, the involvement of foster parents, and the involvement of a parent mentor or advocate. Examples of successful reunification include programs in Michigan and Rhode Island. References