McKee, DCYF host Family Reunification Day

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families was joined by Gov. Dan McKee for Family Reunification Day at District Hall on Saturday.

The event was part of the department’s celebration of Family Reunification Month, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of reuniting families of children in foster care.

It featured guest speakers, resources for parents, food, and games and activities for children.

“We need to continue to emphasize the importance of bringing families together in a way that is positive,” McKee said.

DCYF has a policy of Supportive Reunification Placements, which puts allows a child to return home after being placed in the custody of the department before custody is returned to their parents.

The department said the goal of these placements is the permanent return of the child to their family.