June is National Family Unification Month, a time to recognize and support the vital role communities play in keeping families together. This year’s national theme, “Communities Supporting Family Unification,” highlights the natural supports families find within their communities, from relatives and teachers to coaches, friends and neighbors.
In North Dakota, these everyday connections are key to helping families thrive. Formerly known as National Family Reunification Month, the observance has evolved to emphasize that family unification is not just a case outcome or permanency goal. Instead, it’s a lifelong journey; a collective responsibility to ensure families are supported, protected and kept whole whenever possible.
The number of children entering foster care has been on a steady decline in North Dakota since June of 2020, reflecting North Dakota Health and Human Services’ commitment to keeping families safely together whenever possible. Additionally, facility placement has decreased by nearly 22% since 2020.
Several factors have contributed to this progress, but some of the most impactful have been efforts to expand family-focused services at no cost to families. These services help strengthen and stabilize families before situations escalate to the point where removal is necessary. Funding has been established to help kinship caregivers, allowing children to remain with people they know and trust whenever possible. Additionally, shelter care is being used more intentionally to create space and time to develop safety plans with families.
This month is a moment to celebrate the programs and services across North Dakota that prioritize keeping children with their families whenever it is safe to do so. When separation is necessary, the focus remains on placing children with people they know in the least intrusive way.
Key programs and services 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
- Case management services
For more information about family unification efforts in North Dakota, visit cfshhs.nd.gov/cfs.
Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect
HHS reminds individuals that if they suspect a child in North Dakota is being abused or neglected, they should call the statewide toll-free Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Line at 1-833-958-3500. If it’s an emergency and a child is in immediate danger, call 911.