Reunifying Families

Find information on how public and Tribal child welfare agencies are working to implement evidence-based strategies to support birth families and families of origin who have children involved in the foster care system. 

Learn what foster caregivers can do to promote reunification, which may include communicating with birth parents, the caseworker, and the agency; cultivating compassion; and maintaining contact with families after reunification or other permanency.

Shares stories and advice from caregivers and birth parents who have experienced kinship care on the importance of maintaining boundaries, managing family dynamics, building trust, positive parenting and communication, and securing support.

Review laws that require child welfare agencies to make reasonable efforts to provide services to help families remedy the conditions that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The factsheet also defines reasonable efforts.

Highlights the importance of supporting families as they work toward their reunification goals and provides reunification resources for professionals and the families they serve.

Shares examples of child welfare interventions and practices that can help support successful reunification from the National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification.

Learn how to build a healthy connection and navigate post-reunion relationships with families of origin by establishing expectations, communicating openly, and keeping promises.

Learn how to prepare for an adoption search by evaluating readiness, setting realistic goals, and understanding potential outcomes. Also, find out how to navigate challenges and gather necessary information for a successful reunion process.