Whenever you think of foster care, what comes to mind? Do you picture a scared little child hiding behind a couch waiting for social services to come to save them from an abusive loved one? Do you picture a starving child not knowing when their next meal will be because they’re parents are too consumed by drugs or alcohol to even care? Though some of these situations are unfortunately the reality for children, it’s not always the case.

Child abuse and maltreatment are grouped into four types including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, leading to removal from the biological home. When there are serious abuse allegations on the table and other instances then there will be times where the parents will have their rights terminated and the child is then placed up for adoption. Reunification is the primary goal for foster care and must be pursued when possible and safe for the child (adoption.org, What is the Reunification Process, 2019)

 Reunification should be a priority in Foster Care. Reunification is the process in foster care where the foster child is in the process of being reunified with their parents. “When the child is no longer apart of the foster care system, and the case is closed, they have successfully been reunified.” (adoption.org, What is the Reunification Process?) The foster care system’s primary goal is to give families a second chance at home life. Reunification helps families thrive in several ways. It leaves a positive impact on parents, leads to better development for the child, less stress for the children, and helps maintain relationship with extended family. (Washington Fosters, pg. 2)

Reunification allows the parents an opportunity to get the help they need in order to provide a safe, sustainable life for them and their child. Parents are given a case plan when the child is placed in foster care. This case plan is made to remedy any issues that are considered unsafe. These can include health assessments, drug testing, therapy, home visits, change of residency if needed, secure income. (adoption.org, What is the Reunification Process) Based on the reason for removal depends on the type of visitation the parents might have with their children. Birth parents aren’t bad, a lot of times parents know they need assistance but don’t know how to get help. This process allows parents to become better caretakers and provide a better future for their children. Even after the case is deemed closed, case workers will continue to support and check in on those who have undergone the reunification process to make sure that all the efforts are kept up and the child remains safe.

There is a myth that children don’t want to go home. Being taken away from their parents can be a traumatic event for a child. The transition into foster care is an extensive life conversion accompanied by loss, trauma, and grief. (Mitchell, 2018) In many child welfare cases, siblings are separated from one another, causing significant emotional trauma. The child is placed in a stranger’s home and expected to be grateful to be relieved from the abuse and/or neglect that was endured prior. There are times where the child would much rather have stayed in the situation, they were in than be moved into foster care simply because that was all they have known. According to an article by Bartlett and Rushovich on the Implementation of trauma systems therapy foster care and in child welfare, children who are exposed to traumatic events have long-lasting negative effects. This includes brain impairments, issues with physical growth and development, complications forming attachments and significant mental health conditions. They mention that children in foster care undergo such consequences due to family disruption and placement into multiple foster homes. (Bartlett & Rushovich, 2018) The process of reunification gives the child a chance to be temporarily placed in safe, stable environment while maintaining a connection with their parents with the hope that they will be together again in a much better situation. “Children who can return to permanent, stable routines in loving homes are more likely to succeed in school and social settings because they aren’t occupied with thoughts of when they’ll move or switch homes again.” (Washington Fosters) When a child becomes separated from their parents, they have a lot more to lose than just that. They can lose their sense of identity, their culture and connections to extended family.

It’s important for children to grow up in an environment with people who share a similar background to them. Part of the reunification process is the kinship program which allows the child to be placed with someone they are familiar with. (adoption.org, What is the reunification process) This could be extended family, a teacher or another adult that they have grown familiar with in their life such as a family friend. Kinship care is something that has been happening throughout history, even outside of the social service or court systems. “In the past, many professionals have wondered whether child welfare systems might do a better job raising children then kin families with financial and other challenges. Today, most child welfare professionals agree that placing children with appropriate kin is the best living situation for children whose parents aren’t able to care for them safely at home” (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2020) It can become disorienting for a child to be completely removed from everything they’ve known, even if it’s temporary. It is important to keep those connections strong. Kinship care allows kids to adjust to their new environment better and are less likely to experience things such as school disruptions or behavioral problems.

Despite the trauma that may have been caused to the child due to the parent’s neglect, the effects of the child remaining in foster care long term are far more crucial. The idea is that reunification allows families to thrive long term. It gives the parents an opportunity to better their situation and environment for the child. It allows the child to have a safe, stable secure future. Reunification allows the child to have another chance at being raised by their loving parent. Reunification should be a priority in foster care because studies have shown that it significantly improves the permanency outcomes for both children and birth parents.

Works Cited

Bartlett, J., & Rushovich, B. (2018). Implementation of trauma systems therapy foster care in child welfare. Children in Youth Services Review, 91, 30-38. Retrieved from http://www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth 

Gladney Center for Adoption, What is the Reunification Process, 2019, print.

Mitchell, M. (2018). “No one acknowledged my loss and hurt”. Non-death loss, grief, and trauma in foster care. Child Adolescent Social Work, 35, 1-9. 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation., What is Kinship Care?, 2020, blog. Retrieved from http://www.aecf.org/blog/what-is-kinship-care

Washington Fosters, What You Should Know About Reunification in Foster Care, 2020, print.

Washington Fosters, Reunify and Thrive, 2020, print.