Colorado Celebrates National Reunification Month by Honoring Families and Advocates

Denver [June 9, 2025] — In recognition of National Reunification Month 2025, the Colorado Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel (ORPC), the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the Colorado Court Improvement Program (CIP), Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR) proudly unite under this year’s theme: One team, One family: partnering to reunite families.

On June 12, 2025, we invite community partners, advocates and media to join us at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a celebration of Colorado families who have successfully reunited after involvement in the child welfare system. The event features families and advocates who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the reunification process.

“Reunification is at the heart of child welfare, and it takes courage, commitment and support from a strong team,” said Tres Newport, interim director of OCYF. “We honor the families who never gave up and the advocates who walk beside them. This month reminds us what’s possible when systems support families and work together to help them heal.”

This year, we are recognizing three remarkable families and one dedicated professional who exemplify the heart of reunification. 

• Staci Burgess traveled monthly between Denver and Grand Junction for years, independently meeting her case goals and reunifying with her children after a long, challenging journey. 
• Christina Hallam overcame domestic violence, addiction, and poverty—fighting termination and building a safe, stable home where her children now thrive. 
• Enlanya McConnell, a former foster youth, demonstrated fierce determination and self-advocacy to reunify with her son and now parents two children with strength and grace. 
• Jacquelyn Wilner, a Fremont County caseworker, goes above and beyond with compassion, creativity and unwavering support, helping countless families heal and stay connected even after reunification.

“Families belong together,” said Kristal Steeves, who was honored at last year’s event. “Celebrating the parent who did the work sends a bigger message to other people out there who are struggling, and for them to see, wow, they came out of that, I can too.”

National Reunification Month highlights the importance of family reunification in the child welfare system—which is a primary goal that is often overlooked in public narratives. While National Adoption Month and National Foster Care Month are more widely known, Reunification Month is a time to honor the most common and often challenging outcome, which is children returning safely to their families.

In Colorado, the majority of children who have been separated from their parents due to safety concerns through an open abuse and neglect cases are eventually reunified with their parents who have successfully overcome challenges by seeking treatment, building parenting skills or developing safety standards in their home. In 2024, more than 4,149 children unified or reunified with their parents across the state—a testament to the perseverance of parents and professionals who support them.

“It takes compassion, commitment, and the support of a dedicated team to keep families together,” said Melissa Thompson, executive director of ORPC. “We’re proud to work alongside other Colorado agencies to help our clients become the parents they want to be and that their children need. As a result, more families are reunified and stronger together.”

The journey to reunification requires more than just time, it requires understanding the impact of trauma, working together across different systems and truly believing in the potential of each family. This year’s theme, One Team, One Family, we are committed to strengthening those partnerships and making sure every child has the chance to grow up in a safe, stable and loving home.

Reunification Event:
When – June 12, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Where – Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance – 2300 Steele St., Denver CO 80205

How – Community partners, advocates, and media should RSVP online  to reserve a ticket.

To learn more about National Reunification Month and its national significance, visit the American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law.

About the Colorado Office of Respondent Parents Counsel (ORPC)

The Colorado Office of Respondent Parents Counsel (ORPC) is an independent state agency that supports Colorado parents in the fight to preserve families in dependency and neglect cases. Since 2016, ORPC has protected the right to parent by recruiting and training attorneys statewide, advocating for family-centered policies, and promoting equity and transparency in the family regulation system through data. As a result of our work, more families are reunified and stronger together. Learn more at www.coloradoORPC.org.

About the Colorado Office of Children, Youth and Families

The CDHS Office of Children, Youth and Families is responsible for the coordination of quality and effective services for Colorado’s most vulnerable children, youth, and their families. The office supervises Colorado’s child welfare system and operates the state’s youth services system, as well as several other programs. Learn more at cdhs.colorado.gov. 

About the Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative

The Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR) is the state agency mandated to provide competent and effective legal representation to children and youth involved in the Colorado court system. For more information, please visit www.coloradochildrep.org. 

About Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are volunteers who advocate on behalf of child victims who have experienced abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and or sexual assault. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests. Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin. For more information, please visit coloradocasa.org

About Colorado Court Improvement Program (CIP)

The Colorado Court Improvement Program (CIP) is funded by a federal grant administered by the Children’s Bureau and aimed at improving the handling of dependency and neglect cases in the Colorado court system. Colorado’s CIP projects are guided by a five-year strategic plan developed by a multidisciplinary taskforce.