Reunification Between

Parents & Their Children

Who Were Placed in Foster

Care

THE ISSUE:

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014

"Accomplishing Permanency: Reunification

Pathways and Outcomes for Foster

Children“ Study

• followed 168 children from 96 families over a four-year period

• explored the perspectives of caseworkers, care givers & parents in the temporary care program

This was a study reviewed outcomes of temporary family care over a 20 year period. The study, A Systemic Approach

to Admission to Care for conducted by Associate Professor Fernandez.

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014

"Policies of family preservation

emphasize reunification of children with

their birth families wherever possible but

this can only happen if the proper

support is provided to parents."

Researchers found that the provision of intervention and support is currently sparse and infrequent.

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014

"Reunification needs to be

planned and purposeful to avert

children experiencing multiple

placement changes and

disrupted attachments"

Associate Professor Fernandez

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014

Rates of Reunification

• 86 % lower for children with parental substance abuse ISSUES

• 83% lower for children in care for abuse/neglect

• 73% lower for children in care related to domestic violence

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014

Study Outcomes:

• Of the 168 children, 53% were reunified during the study

• 25% of the cohort took 12 months to be reunified with their families

• 13% of children had already experienced five foster care placements prior to their current placement

Fragile Families NETWORK 2014