Intensive Reunification Foster Care Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In an effort to provide families of infants with the greatest opportunity to achieve timely reunification, New Hanover County’s Department of Social Services (DSS) developed an Intensive Reunification Program in October 2015. This program is in partnership with Casey Family Programs and Chief District Court Judge J.H. Corpening. The Intensive Reunification Program is a short-term, intensive, family-based program that is designed to quickly address any and all barriers to reunification and reunite families within 60-90 days. The goal is to meet all federal, state and county standards for reunification. In addition, the program aims to prevent long-term foster care placements, build and support the bond between the parent(s) and infant, and provide children with the best permanent placement – their own home – when it can be safely achieved. To date, DSS has had six families involved in the program. Two trial home placements that occurred near the 60-90 day mark of entering the program are being monitored and additional families are showing progress. This 60-90 day time frame is significantly shorter than our Leading by Results target of reunification, which is 12 months. DSS anticipates that this innovative program will continue to expedite safe, successful reunifications for the most vulnerable children.