The Need Family Reunification Services is an intensive 60 to 90-day home-based program to help families who have had children placed in out-of-home care. It is voluntary, and the family must agree to the terms of the service.
The goals are to help the family remove barriers to the return of their child, help them through the transition of the child’s return, and develop a plan that will help the family stay together.
The Program The Family Reunion Specialist is on-call 24 hours a day to provide services as needed. Each specialist works with only three families at a time. The goal is to return the child to the family and set up after-care services, which will help the child remain safely with their family.
Services Provided
• Counseling and teaching skills including anger management, parenting, positive communication, problem-solving and negotiation, and household management
• Family Reunification also works to build self-esteem and define appropriate boundaries within the family’s relationships
• The Specialists work with families to assess their strengths, solve their own problems, and pursue their personal goals
Staff The Family Reunification Specialist is trained in risk assessment and crisis intervention, and has extensive knowledge of community resources. Their effectiveness is heightened by the fact that they are able to respond quickly and meet with families as often as necessary during the intervention.
Criteria for Referral
• Parent and child(ren) are willing to participate in the family reunion program and make a commitment to work with the Specialist
• All parties involved, including parents, other caregivers, Deputy Juvenile Officer, Guardian Ad Litem and child (if of appropriate age) are in agreement with the reunification plan
• Family has not completed an Intensive In-Home Services intervention in the previous six months that targeted the child(ren) who are being reunited
• Parent has been or is participating in a substance abuse program (if this was a barrier to reunification)
• Child(ren) in out-of-home care would not be reunited without Family Reunification Services
• Reunification is possible in 30-60 days with a family reunion intervention
• Barriers to reunification are not such that the child would be harmed it returned
• The jurisdictional court is willing to release the child(ren) back home
• Parent(s) and child(ren) are visiting regularly
Process of Referral
Because the children are under the supervision of the court and Division of Family Services (DFS), only the DFS social service worker or deputy juvenile officer may make referrals. Parents or concerned service providers may encourage workers to make referrals, but he decision rests with the worker.
Program Partners Specialists from Family Resource Center, the Missouri Children's Division , and other private agencies provide Family Reunification Services within St. Louis City and County. The Children's Division worker will remain involved with the family during the intervention and will meet with the Specialist and family periodically.
Contact Information If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the CD Family Reunion Coordinator at (314) 340-6862 or (314) 340-6843, or Family Resource Center at (314) 534-9350.