Marcie Wuitschick, Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Marcie Wuitschick, Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
June marks National Family Unification Month, a period dedicated to acknowledging the essential role communities play in maintaining family unity. This year's theme, "Communities Supporting Family Unification," emphasizes the natural support systems families rely on within their communities, including relatives, teachers, coaches, friends, and neighbors.
In North Dakota, these community connections are crucial for family well-being. The observance has shifted from being known as National Family Reunification Month to focus on family unification as an ongoing journey rather than just a case outcome or permanency goal. It highlights the collective responsibility to support and protect families.
Since June 2020, North Dakota has seen a steady decline in children entering foster care. This trend reflects the commitment of North Dakota Health and Human Services to keep families safely together whenever possible. Facility placements have also decreased by nearly 22% since 2020.
Several initiatives have contributed to this progress. Efforts have been made to expand family-focused services at no cost to families, helping stabilize situations before they escalate to necessitate removal. Funding supports kinship caregivers so that children can stay with familiar and trusted individuals when possible. Shelter care is used strategically to allow time for developing safety plans with families.
This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate programs across North Dakota that prioritize keeping children with their families when it is safe. Even when separation is necessary, efforts focus on placing children with people they know in the least intrusive manner.
Key programs supporting family unification include Kinship ND, FamilyFirst Services (Title IV-E Prevention Program), shelter care and respite services, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Family Preservation Program, foster care licensing, child protective services, and case management services.
For more information about family unification efforts in North Dakota, visit cfshhs.nd.gov/cfs.
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