Family Reunification Day Celebration

As part of the annual nationwide American Bar Association Family Reunification effort, Legal Services of New Jersey recently celebrated Family Reunification Day at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. Each year we focus on one of the critical services and procedures necessary to make reunification possible. This year’s focus was on understanding and treating substance abuse.

LSNJ honored several successfully reunified families from Ocean, Essex, Passaic, Atlantic, and Somerset counties, and three Reunification Day heroes: Daniel Derasmo, Office of the Public Defender from Passaic County; Tiffany Sawyer, Law Guardian’s Office; and Andrea Stewart, DCP&P case worker from Passaic County.

Event day speeches:

Watch now! Honorable Julio L. Mendez, A.J.S.C., Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage

Watch now! Robert Newman, M.D., M.P.H., President Emeritus of Continuum Health Partners and Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York

Watch now! Hope VanSickle, A Parent’s Perspective, Brick, NJ

Watch now! Highlights of the event

Poverty, Addiction, and Meeting Family Needs

This video, produced by Legal Services of New Jersey and presented at the 2014 Family Reunification Day celebration, explores the need for a more holistic, compassionate approach to helping these families.

Highlights from Past Family Reunification Day Events:

• See Honorable Hany A. Mawla’s entire keynote speech from Family Reunification Day 2013
• See Honorable Thomas H. Dilts’ entire keynote speech from Family Reunification Day 2012
• See Honorable Sallyanne Floria’s entire keynote speech from Family Reunification Day 2011
• See Honorable Glen A. Grant’s entire keynote speech from Family Reunification Day 2010

For information on National Family Reunification Month:

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Courts
• ABA Center on Children and the Law

Articles:

• Planning a Successful Reunification Day by Jey Rajaraman
• Legal Services Hosts Family Reunification Day