June: National Reunification Month
Bringing Families Home: The Vital Role of Reunification
Every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family. For the thousands of children in Ohio's foster care system – on any given day, nearly 14,000 children are being cared for away from their parents, with over 8,000 of them in foster homes (AdoptUSKids) – the primary goal is often a return to their biological family. This process, known as reunification, is not just a policy; it's a pathway to healing, stability, and a brighter future for children and their families.
Why Reunification Matters: Building on a Foundation of Family
When a child can safely return to their biological family, the positive outcomes are significant. Reunification honors the inherent bond between children and their parents, a connection that is fundamental to a child's sense of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage. Being raised by one's own family, when safe and possible, minimizes a child's questions about their roots and provides a more solid sense of self.
The journey to reunification often involves immense effort from parents who work diligently to address the challenges that led to their children's removal. This process can be transformative, leading to an improved and safer home environment than the one the child left. Successful reunification doesn't just mean a child goes home; it means a family has healed and grown stronger. Children who are reunified with their families often experience improved emotional well-being and a greater sense of security, which can mitigate the trauma associated with separation. In Ohio, this commitment is clear: according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the primary goal of foster care is to temporarily care for a child until they can be reunified with their family.
The Critical Role of Stable Foster Homes
While reunification efforts are underway, the environment in which a child lives is paramount. Foster parents provide a crucial bridge, offering a safe, stable, and nurturing home during a period of immense uncertainty for a child. This stability is not a placeholder; it's an active ingredient in a child's well-being and their readiness for reunification.
Children in foster care have often experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse. A stable foster home offers them:
Safety and Security: A predictable environment where they can feel protected and begin to heal.
Emotional Support: Understanding and care from adults who can help them process their experiences.
Consistency: Regular routines for meals, school, and bedtime, which can be incredibly grounding.
Opportunities for Growth: Encouragement to continue their education, engage in hobbies, and develop healthy social skills.
These elements help a child maintain their developmental progress and emotional health, making the eventual transition back to their biological family smoother and more successful. However, there is a significant need for more dedicated foster families in Ohio. With over 15,000 children in care in 2023 and only around 7,300 licensed foster homes, the gap is considerable. Each new foster family offers a sanctuary that can change a child's trajectory.
Unfortunately, many foster parents quit after a short time due to being overwhelmed, not feeling supported or not having the resources they need. The Unbound Collaborative exists to change that for the families of Central Ohio. We are working to change the landscape of the foster care system for the families who provide this crucial kind of care to the children of our community. Through needed material goods, meals, tutoring, transportation and more, we aim to give foster parents what they need to continue this vital work.
Positive Pathways Forward
The data supports the focus on reunification. In Ohio, approximately 63% of children in foster care have a case plan goal to reunify with parents or their caretakers (LSC Ohio, FFY 2022). When these plans succeed, children benefit from continuity in their family relationships and cultural connections. The work involved is immense, requiring dedication from biological parents, foster parents, social workers, and the wider community.
Supporting reunification means investing in services that help parents overcome obstacles, whether it's substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, mental health support, or stable housing. It also means valuing and supporting foster parents who provide unwavering care during the interim.
Ultimately, fostering an environment where reunification is actively pursued and adequately supported strengthens not only individual families but the entire community. By prioritizing safe homes, stable care, and the enduring power of family, we give Ohio's children in foster care their best chance at a future filled with hope and belonging.