June is National Reunification Month. It celebrates families that reunite and the people who help families reach their reunification goals.
When parents enter the child welfare system, they are often navigating one of the most challenging periods of their lives. While many programs focus on helping families, the Achieving Reunification Center (ARC) takes a different approach. Through coaching, individualized support, and long-term planning, ARC helps parents and caregivers build the skills and confidence they need for lasting family stability!
Interacting with Staff at ARC would look like this:
Walking in the front door, parents and families are greeted warmly by the receptionist, Chuquetta L. who shares, “ One of the most rewarding parts of my job is making the parents feel welcomed and supported, especially given the difficult circumstances they are facing.” By managing daily operations, greeting visitors, and helping parents access resources, ARC reception ensures every family feels seen, supported, and valued from the start.
ARC welcomes referrals from DHS, Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs), and parents who choose to self-refer. The program serves parents and caregivers whose children are currently placed in foster care, kinship care, or congregate care.
Once referred, parents enroll in ARC and get connected with the Reunification Support Coach, where the real ARC process begins. ARC support Coach Janet W. shares, “True stability and reunification are when parents genuinely connect and utilize the support and services available to them.” At ARC, participants receive individualized coaching support with S.M.A.R.T. goal setting, strengths-based and trauma-informed services, connections to community resources, and ongoing support throughout the reunification process.
Behind the scenes, ARC’s Supportive Services Unit works to provide families with access to virtual and in-person workshops, groups and resources that address a wide range of needs. From parenting education and career development to housing support and financial literacy, the team coordinates services and community partnerships designed to help parents achieve their goals and strengthen their families.
In the words of Keishla Woods, Supportive Services Unit Supervisor, “ The families we work with are facing tough challenges but are doing their best to make positive changes. Their current situation doesn’t define who they are. Many parents are putting in a lot of effort to overcome obstacles, learn new skills, and create safe, stable homes for their children. They deserve understanding, support, and a real chance to succeed.”
At its core, ARC is about more than helping families complete a program. It is about helping parents build the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to create lasting change for themselves and their children.
