The Governor’s Office Recognizes June as Family Reunification Month, Encourages Others to Rally to Reunify
Phoenix, AZ – June is a month of celebration for parents who have put in the time, self-reflection, and hard work to reunite with their children. For the past 10 years, partners across Maricopa County have come together during this month to celebrate the more than 46,490 children in Arizona who have reunified with their families after overcoming the circumstances that caused the separation.
The process to reunify includes navigating multiple systems and working with case workers, attorneys, parent allies, CASA volunteers and many others in their support community.
In addition to facing their own personal challenges, families often face negative stereotypes related to having their children removed from the home in the first place. Dedicating a month to celebrate family reunification highlights the work and dedication these parents put toward strengthening the many relationships in their lives.
“Children want to be with their parents, so we want to do our part in assisting families through the reunification process so children can safely be with their parents for the long term. Any day a family reunifies is a great day!” said Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Lori Bustamante, presiding judge for the Juvenile Court.
“We are so proud of our families who have had the chance to reunify over the past year and in years prior. We know they have worked extremely hard to get to this point and we wish them all the love and success,” she said.
Reunited families will come together virtually to celebrate at the Rally to Reunify event on Saturday, June 15, 2024. This event creates an opportunity for families to share their journeys with one another, as well as inspire hope for those families who are actively involved in similar matters within the child welfare system. Families and community supporters can register for the event here.
Leading up to the event members of the media are welcome to interview Judge Bustamante, along with parent ally Samara Vaught and several reunified families and everyone is invited to attend the virtual event on June 15th, 2024.
For more information about the family reunification process, please visit the Arizona Department of Child Safety. For more information about Family Reunification Day in Arizona, please visit the Maricopa County Family Reunification Day Homepage.
Partners
Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care in the United States. Our mission is to provide and improve — and ultimately prevent the need for — foster care.
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona has been the state’s leading child maltreatment prevention organization for more than 30 years. PCA Arizona’s goal is to change the societal conditions that lead to abuse and neglect so children can thrive in their families and communities. Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children through collaboration, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit pcaaz.org/
The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County
The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is comprised of Superior Court, Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation, which includes juvenile detention. The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is the fourth largest trial court system in the nation and, along with its 3,000 employees, is dedicated to providing a safe, fair and impartial forum for resolving disputes, enhancing access to services, and providing innovative, evidence-based practices that improve the safety of the community and ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. For more information, visit superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/
Voices for CASA Children is a nonprofit organization that champions for positive outcomes for children who have experienced abuse or neglect by promoting and supporting volunteer child advocacy through Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and cultivating communities that understand and embrace the importance of safe and permanent homes and connections for Arizona youth. Learn more at voicesforcasachildren.org/