At the regular March 2nd Los Angles County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board will honor individuals and families that exemplify family reunification. Board scrolls will be presented to mothers Maureen Rivas and Veoletter Bates Jones, fathers, Carlos Hernandez and Ronnie Burton, Jr., Children’s Social Worker Kim Masinter, Court Appointed Special Advocate Michelle Vasquez and the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles for their significant family reunification accomplishments.
The week will promote family reunification efforts, successes and programs of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), a nationally recognized leader in child welfare reforms. Under the guidance of DCFS Director Patricia S. Ploehn, DCFS has made significant progress increasing the prospects for safe reunification by implementing innovative programs designed to utilize community-based resources which has resulted in the reduction of the number of children in foster care. Each day during Family Reunification Week, DCFS will highlight different programs including Parents in Partnership, Wraparound Services, Family Preservation, Linkages, Visitation Centers and Drug Court that support families in their successful path toward reunification.
Director Ploehn stated: “Our Department joins in offering our heart felt congratulations to those families that have made the safety and well-being of their children their number one priority. We are extremely grateful to Judge Nash for this innovative recognition acknowledging the successful efforts of thousands of families that have reunited and provided for the safety of their children. We are equally indebted to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for actively supporting this week-long celebration, promoting the importance of family reunification throughout Los Angeles County.