County of Santa Clara Observes Family Reunification Day on May 22nd, 2019
Families Honored for Successfully Reunifying with Their Children
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. –On May 22nd, 2019, the County of Santa Clara will be one of many jurisdictions across the country that commemorates Family Reunification Day. This 9th annual event honors the most vulnerable families in our community who have overcome significant challenges and encourages individuals and communities to come together and raise awareness about the importance of family reunification for children in foster care.
“Today we honor and celebrate the courageous efforts of our parents and families who have the strength and will to overcome difficult and severe challenges to reunite with their children,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Chair of the Board’s Children, Seniors and Families Committee. “We know that safe family reunification is not only possible, but it has the power to strengthen our entire community.”
The County of Santa Clara celebrates the courage and determination of parents who have accomplished their goal of reunifying with their children. When children must be removed from their families to ensure their safety, the first goal is to reunite them with their families as soon as possible.
“I’m so proud of our families, they put in the work and have emerged from a difficult journey stronger and more resilient,” said Francesca LeRúe, Director of the County of Santa Clara Department of Family and Children’s Services. “I’m grateful to the social workers and community partners who work tirelessly to support the families and children throughout the process of family reunification.”
“We know that strengthening families is the best way to strengthen children. This event is an annual reminder that when the child welfare system functions as it should, the integrity of the parent-child relationship is protected and families receive the help they need to successfully reunify and thrive in their home communities,” said AnnaLisa Chung, Chief Executive Officer, Dependency Advocacy Court.
WHAT:
County of Santa Clara Celebrates Family Reunification Day
WHO:
Representatives from the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, Department of Family and Children’s Services, Superior Court, Dependency Advocacy Center, Office of the County Counsel, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth, First 5 and Child Advocates of Silicon Valley and five families that have been able to reunite with their children after spending time in the foster care system.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 1 – 3 p.m.
Social Services Agency Auditorium
333 W. Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95134
ABOUT FAMILY REUNIFICATION DAY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Family Reunification Day is a collaboration between the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), the Santa Clara County Superior Court, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Dependency Advocacy Center, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth and First 5.
The County of Santa Clara joins jurisdictions across the country commemorating Family Reunification Day on May 22nd, 2019. Nationally and locally the event occurs annually between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The goal of celebrating National Reunification Day is to celebrate families and communities coming together to raise awareness about the importance of family reunification for children in foster care. Strategies include building on family strengths, family engagement, maintaining family and cultural connections and connecting families to family-centered services within their community to support a safe and stable family.
About the County of Santa Clara, California
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, parks, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
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