Something profound happens when parents and resource parents work together and support one another during child welfare system involvement. The parent knows the person who is caring for their child and feels supported while working towards reunification. The resource parent learns about the child from the person who knows the child best. The child sees the parent and resource parent working together and feels less conflicted, knowing they are on the same page and want the family to reunite.
A shift in child welfare is strengthening the relationship between parents and resource parents so they support one another and work together towards family reunification when that is the goal. The approach aligns with the federal Children’s Bureau’s focus on keeping families together. As a judge presiding over child welfare legal proceedings,
you can help support these partnerships as an approach to promoting family reunification.
NCJFCJ June 2021