WHEREAS, foster care is intended to serve as a temporary intervention for children who require the safety and security of an alternative home placement; and

WHEREAS, in 2025, 2,688 children under the age of 18 entered foster care in the Commonwealth of Virginia, while 834 children and youth in foster care were successfully reunited with the caregivers from whom they had been removed; and

WHEREAS, all children deserve the care, love, security, and stability of a family unit—including parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family members—to provide a strong foundation for personal growth, development, and well-being; and

WHEREAS, reunification requires dedication, collaboration, and investment of time and resources by parents, family members, family service specialists, foster parents, service providers, attorneys, courts, and communities, and is often the best outcome for children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, many families receiving foster care services face challenges related to overcoming trauma and meeting everyday needs; and

WHEREAS, the hard work and resilience of families who overcome a range of challenges to achieve safe and successful reunification deserve recognition, support, and celebration; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to fostering a supportive community environment and ensuring access to the resources and services necessary to support sustainable family reunification;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize June 2026, as REUNIFICATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.