Eckerd Kids Announces Pasco Celebration of Reunified Families on June 3rd

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - May 31, 2016 - PRLog -- Eckerd Community Alternatives Pinellas/Pasco announces its seventh annual Reunification Day celebration on June 3, 2016.  This event honors Pasco County families who have overcome obstacles in their lives in order to be reunified with their children.

The celebration will take place on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and will feature success stories from families, special guest speakers, refreshments, and children's activities.

Each year in Pasco County, hundreds of parents complete the tasks necessary to make their homes safe so that they may be reunified with their children.  In Pasco County, 333 families were reunified in fiscal year 2014/2015. In fiscal year 2015/2016, 217 families have been reunified as of March 31, 2016.

Reunification is truly a community success.  The parents who are reunified with their children are supported in their communities by family court judges, case workers, service providers, guardians ad litem, foster parents, and relatives, among others.  For the seventh year, Eckerd Community Alternatives Pasco/Pinellas will partner with the Florida Department of Children and Families, Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc, BayCare Behavioral Health, Guardian Ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc., and the Guardian Ad Litem Program - Sixth Judicial Circuit to host this celebration honoring Pasco County parents who have reunified with their children and, as a result, have strengthened our communities.

Reunification Success Story:

Felicia Fitzpatrick

On August 2, 2014, Felicia Fitzpatrick gave birth to a daughter who was removed due to drug use and domestic violence in the home. Felicia worked hard completing random drug screens, substance abuse treatment, healthy relationship classes and a domestic violence victims program. In doing so, she regained the trust of her family and with their full support, along with the support of case management and the guardian ad litem she was able to complete her classes successfully. Felicia was reunified with her daughter in 6 months.  Now, almost two years later, Ms. Fitzpatrick maintains her sobriety and continues to attend classes as a mentor for new clients.

* Ms. Fitzpatrick and other families will be available to share their stories with the media.

WHAT:          Seventh Annual Reunification Day Celebration

WHEN:          Friday, June 3, 2016, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

WHERE:       West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654

WHO:          Families who have been reunited; Family Court Judges; Foster Parents; Case Workers and Service Providers

About Eckerd Kids:

Eckerd Kids is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, that has given much-needed second chances to more than 168,000 children and families since its founding by Jack and Ruth Eckerd in 1968.  Eckerd Kids serves more than 25,000 children and their families each year through life-changing child welfare, juvenile justice and workforce development programs in 20 states and the District of Columbia.  Eckerd Kids' mission is to provide and share solutions that promote the well-being of children and families in need of a second chance.  To learn more visit www.eckerd.org.  Follow us on Twitter at @eckerdyouth, Instagram at Eckerd Kids, and "like" us on Facebook at facebook.com/eckerdyouth.