Family Reunification Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, foster care is intended to be a temporary intervention for children who need the safety and security of an out of home placement; and

WHEREAS, 2,386 children under the age of 18 entered foster care in Virginia in 2023; and

WHEREAS, many families receiving foster care services are faced with challenges in overcoming trauma and meeting day to day needs; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Children’s Services Practice Model states: all children and youth deserve to be safe; children do best when raised in families; and, all children and youth deserve and need a permanent family; and

WHEREAS, there were 644 children and youth in foster care in Virginia who were successfully reunified with their families in 2023; and

WHEREAS, for most children in foster care, reunification with their family is their best option for a permanent and loving home; and

WHEREAS, all children need the care, love, security, and stability of family unity, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members, to provide a solid foundation for personal growth, development, and maturity; and

WHEREAS, when reunification with birth and kinship families happens for a child in foster care, it is an opportunity for the community to engage in wrap around support so that the reunification is sustainable; and

WHEREAS, reunification takes work, commitment, and investment of time and resources by parents, family members, family service specialists, foster parents, service providers, attorneys, courts, and the community; and

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of families who overcome an array of challenges to reunify safely and successfully should be supported and celebrated;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize June 2024, as FAMILY REUNIFICATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations