To praise the work of judges, court staff, child welfare professionals, and parents across Michigan who work to reunite children in foster care with their families, a picnic luncheon and program will be sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Federation for Children & Families, State Court Administrative Office's Child Welfare Services division, and the Michigan Court Improvement Program. Michigan's fifth Reunification Day celebration will take place Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hall of Justice front terrace in Lansing.
In its fifth year, Michigan Reunification Day is a part of the American Bar Association's annual National Reunification Month, which is celebrated in 32 states. Reunification Day is intended to recognize the essential role courts, community members, professionals, volunteers, and other partners play in strengthening and supporting families so they can be reunited. During the event, parents and family members will share their success stories of reunification.
Speakers and special guests at Michigan Reunification Day include:
• Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, Michigan Supreme Court
• Justice Megan K. Cavanagh, Michigan Supreme Court
• Director Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Executive Director Demetrius Starling, Children's Services Agency, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Executive Director Janet Reynolds Snyder, Michigan Federation for Children and Families
• Judge Jeffrey Dufon, 36th Circuit Court, Family Reunification Court
• Casey-Rae Perdue, former Van Buren County Family Reunification Court participant
• Lanay Gilbert-Williams, Guy Thompson Worker Achievement Award Recipient
• Thomas Green, Guy Thompson Champion for Reunification Award
• Chief Judge Michelle Horn, Saginaw Chippewa Tribe
For additional information on Michigan Reunification Day, visit www.courts.michigan.gov/administration/offices/public-information-office/community-outreach-by-the-supreme-court/michigan-reunification-day.
