To honor the families who have successfully overcome the challenges that brought their children into foster care, the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County will host its 12th Annual Family Reunification Day on June 29, 2025. 

The event will serve as a day for families to have fun and celebrate their long, hard-fought journeys to family reunification. Sixty-eight families are registered, and hundreds are expected to attend. Admission for friends and family is free. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. and be held at Sky Zone Trampoline Park located at 928 W. Camelback Road in Phoenix.  

“We are excited to be part of this event where families gather in our community to celebrate their successes. We celebrate not just reunification, but their courage, resilience and love that brought their family back together,” said Juvenile Department Presiding Judge Lori Bustamante. “Our judges are proud of each one of them and are thrilled that their hard work will be recognized by having a fun filled day with their families.”  

To commemorate the path to reunification, Governor Katie Hobbs formally proclaimed June as Family Reunification Month. Her proclamation highlights that approximately 50% of families have successfully reunified after their dependency cases closed. Since January of 2024, the Judicial Branch has helped more than 800 Maricopa County families reunify. 

In addition to jumping on trampolines at Sky Zone, families will be treated to a family photo booth, certificates of appreciation, commemorative art, catered kid-friendly lunches, snow cones and refreshments. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Presiding Juvenile Department Judge Lori Bustamante, retired Superior Court Judges Colleen McNally and Connie Contes, Department of Child Safety Director Katie Ptak and other dignitaries have been invited to attend. 

Family Reunification is the presumptive case plan upon initial removal of children from the home. To complete the reunification process, parents must work closely with the Court and meet regularly with attorneys and their caseworkers. This may also include drug testing and visits with counselors. 

“Families face unimaginable challenges when separated but the court process provides a path for parents to engage in services, strengthen their resolve and work toward healing and reunification,” said Judge Bustamante.  

Reunification is a team approach. It takes the work, commitment and the investment of time and resources by parents, caseworkers, foster parents, service providers, advocates and the courts. 

In 2010, the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and other national partners established June as National Reunification Month, which is now known as National Family Unification Month.