Farías questions DYCD on family reunification programs
Farías asks what family reunification programs look like and whether they're proactive. Ascherl and Thorne explain services are youth-driven, with providers offering counseling and support to both youth and families when reunification is desired.
And then I hear, or in the testimony, there was a program or initiative for preventing family rejection or reducing or reunifying.
I think the language is reunification.
What are some of those programs or initiatives?
Like, what do they look like?
How do we get to it before it occurs?
Are we reactive in a way in terms of the reunification back into the home?
So our drop-in centers, they offer supportive services for our young people that are going toward becoming homeless.
And so some of the services includes counseling and referrals to health care, education, and employment opportunities.
When LGBTQ youth are served in our programs, there is a unique opportunity to create a safe and protective space.
They build relationships with the young people that are there.
The programs are...
offer an opportunity for you to create a caring communities.
And then because the programs are youth-centered, services, including family unification, are driven by young people's youth voice.
So they pretty much let the provider and the counselor know whether or not they want to reunite with their families.
And then they receive, if they don't, they receive ongoing support and counseling.
If they do, the family receives support services as well as, so the whole family as well as individuals.