Family Reunification Day June 29 Celebrates Children’s Return Home

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from King County.

The Third Annual Family Reunification Day Celebration will take place at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center on June 29th from 12:00 to 1:15p.m.  Family Reunification Day celebrates the efforts made by families to safely bring children back home after they have been in foster care.

Reunification is the preferred option for children who are temporarily placed in out-of-home care.  The majority of these children are able to return home because their parents have succeeded in controlling their use of drugs and alcohol, have sought treatment for mental health issues, and have improved their capacity to be safe and caring parents.  These parents must work very hard, and Family Reunification Day celebrates their successes.

Attending the June 29th celebration will be parents whose children have been returned to them and whose dependency court cases have been dismissed within the previous year.  They will be joined by Superior Court Judges, officials from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and other invited dignitaries.  Families will be able to tour the Pacific Science Center following the celebration.

Family Reunification Day is sponsored by:  King County Superior Court, Casey Family Programs, DSHS, the Office of the Attorney General, the King County CASA Program, and the Parent Advocacy Coalition.

“The public may not be aware that an important goal in public child welfare is to return children to their home and family when we can do so safely,” said DSHS Children’s Administration Assistant Secretary Denis Revels Robinson.  “I respect and admire these parents for showing great perseverance and strength in working to reunite their families.  Any day a child can safely return to home and family is a day to celebrate.”

Will you be attending this event? Do you have a story of reunification you'd like to share with Patch readers? Leave us a comment below or email april.chan@patch.com.