Courts Celebrate Family Reunification Day

COURT HOUSE – The Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage will hold two celebrations in honor of Family Reunification Day.
The event in Cape May County will be held July 30 at 9:30 a.m. in the Grand Jury Assembly Room at the Cape May County Courthouse, 9 N. Main St., Cape May Court House. Speakers will include Assignment Judge Julio L. Mendez, Family Division Presiding Judge Nancy L. Ridgway, Judge John Rauh, Trial Court Administrator Howard H. Berchtold Jr. and Assistant Family Division Manager John Thomas. Cape May County Surrogate Susan Sheppard will present a proclamation.
The event in Atlantic County will be held Aug. 1, at 8:30 a.m. on the second floor, east wing, at the Atlantic County Civil Courts Building, 1201 Bacharach Blvd., Atlantic City. Speakers will include Mendez, Berchtold, Ridgway, Family Division Manager Florine Alexander and Jennifer Cunningham of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender’s Office of Parental Representation.
Family Reunification Month was initiated by the American Bar Association to acknowledge the efforts that families have made to reunite with their children. This celebration highlights families that have achieved reunification with their children and the people in the child welfare system who make reunification a reality. As part of the celebration, the court will recognize reunification heroes, people who have made a difference working with families and guiding them toward reunification.
Mendez said, “Family Reunification Day is a time to highlight the importance of this day, which ultimately provides each child with safety, stability and love. It recognizes the hard work and commitment of the parents, service providers and the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency.”
Both events are sponsored by the New Jersey Judiciary, the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, and Court Appointed Special Advocates.