SUPPORTING FAMILY REUNIFICATION
written by Heather Noel, Content Manager
Connected Foster Care is a reunification focused foster care provider, believing that in many cases the best outcome for a child is a restored family. Often times, however, families are not equipped with the tools and support needed for a successful reunification.
When our Family Care ministry launched their Advocacy Program last year, our Connected staff saw an opportunity to support family reunifications in a real and lasting way. As Director of Foster Care, Ryan Ropp, shares
“Reunification is always the first goal of the child welfare system. Too often services that help families begin moving toward health end when children are reunified, when this is the very time birth families need the most support.”
To meet this need, Connected is launching a Pilot Program in Cross County with Desired Haven Family Care. When the case of a family whose child in a Connected Foster Home is in the reunification process, the child’s Connected Caseworker will offer the birth family the support services of Desired Haven’s advocacy program. The program consists of trained volunteers who equip parents with life skills, parenting skills and financial skills, as well as providing a lasting healthy support system for families. The Desired Haven staff will pair a birth family with an advocate to help them successfully transition their children back to their care and provide ongoing support after reunification has taken place. It also provides the opportunity to connect birth families to the local church through their advocate.
When birth families are provided with the support they need, the likelihood of children returning to foster care is significantly reduced. Our goal is successful, permanent reunifications of children to healthy, stable families. This partnership of Foster Care and Family Advocacy helps struggling families become strong families, not only transforming childhoods but local communities.
How can you partner with us to build healthy families for children in foster care?
1. Become a Connected Foster Family
arkansasfamilies.org/become-a-foster-parent
2. Become a Desired Haven Advocate
arkansasfamilies.org/family-care-volunteer
3. Become a Partner Church
arkansasfamilies.org/churches