June is Reunification Month

Take advice from those who have experienced foster care and reunification firsthand by exploring the “Partnering in Practice” resources. Listening to youth and family voices is the first step toward strengthening the critical partnerships that lead to reunification.

When foster and birth families team up, better outcomes follow. Listen to our podcast episode, "Birth-Foster Parent Mentoring Teams," to hear a conversation about the impact of these partnerships.

Though it can be challenging, it is important for foster families and kinship caregivers to maintain communication with birth parents and keep an open mind and heart to the challenges these parents are facing.

These factsheets for families provide valuable insight on how to do just that:

• Partnering With Relatives to Promote Reunification
• Partnering With Birth Parents to Promote Reunification
  
  

Reunification—when in the best interests of the child—is the most common goal. However, sometimes other permanency options need to be explored.

Whichever the path, youth deserve a voice in their future. Belonging Matters—Helping Youth Explore Permanency gives child welfare and adoption professionals valuable insight straight from youths who have lived the experience.

Want to learn more about building partnerships between foster families, birth families, and youth? Check out the following resources:

Integrating Foster Parents in Permanency Planning Creating and Maintaining Meaningful Connections Working With Children, Youth, and Families in Permanency Planning

Your feedback is important. Be sure to let us know how we're doing by taking our survey! For more information, visit our website, email us at info@childwelfare.gov, or call us toll-free at 1.800.394.3366.