Assembly Resolution No. 2409

BY: M. of A. Rules (Walsh)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 2024, as Reunification Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, All children need the care, love, security and stability of
family, including parents, siblings, grandparents and other extended
family members to provide a solid foundation for personal growth,
development and maturity; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2024, as Reunification Month in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Reunification Month; and

WHEREAS, This year's theme, "Reunification: Shifting Power and
Reconnecting Families All Year Long," focuses on: when children cannot
safely remain with their parents and need to enter foster care,
reunifying them with family remains the primary goal; authentic,
equitable family engagement and integrating the voice of children,
youth, and families into the case planning and court processes; and
enhancing birth parent-foster parent partnerships to improve the foster
care experience for children, youth, and parents when a child's removal
from the home is necessary and to support reunification; and

WHEREAS, Reunification with family is the preferred outcome for
children removed from their homes and placed in foster care; for most
children in foster care, reunification with their family is their best
option for a permanent and loving home; and

WHEREAS, People looking to encourage family reunification may
utilize strategies that build on family strengths, including:
encouraging family engagement; maintaining family and cultural
connections; connecting families to evidenced-based services in the
community; facilitating regular and frequent visits among family members
with the caseworker present; and promoting parent education; and

WHEREAS, The most effective foster caregivers encourage
reunification by extending their role beyond supporting the children in
their care to supporting the children's whole family, working to
maintain positive partnerships between birth parents, caregivers,
caseworkers, and older youth increase the chances of successful
reunifications; and

WHEREAS, Reunification takes work, commitment, and investment of
time and resources by parents, family members, social workers, foster
parents, service providers, attorneys, courts, and the community; and

WHEREAS, Child welfare agencies, courts, schools, businesses, media,
religious institutions, civic, and service organizations are urged to
commemorate National Reunification Month with appropriate ceremonies and
activities in acknowledgement of the importance of supporting families
and communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2024, as
Reunification Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.