Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel

Several statewide partners are hosting a special Hope, Healing, and Home celebration for families who have experienced reunification.

The event will take place on June 5, 2026, at Elitch Gardens, and will feature a brief program recognizing reunified families, Reunification Hero honorees, and community partners, followed by lunch and a day of fun in the park.

The celebration is open to families who have reunified after child welfare involvement. Space is limited, and RSVPs are required by May 22.

RSVP: https://fs7.formsite.com/ORPCColorado/fqmaasingr/index

Save the Date!

The Annual Reunification Celebration is back at the Denver Zoo!

It’s time to celebrate the heroes who make reunification possible. Nominate your Reunification Heroes today!

Use the QR code to recognize:
✅ A parent, child, or family that has successfully reunified
✅ Dedicated professionals
✅ Kin support/placement providers
✅ Anyone making a difference in reunification efforts across Colorado

Let’s honor their incredible impact, submit your nomination NOW!

Registration for this year’s Carrie Ann Lucas Training is officially open! This year’s event features an exciting lineup, including expanded sessions on anti-oppression and civil rights advocacy, and we’re honored to host it in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs.

To ensure everyone has the chance to participate, we’re also offering a virtual option. Whether you join us in person or online, we can’t wait to learn with you!

Register: https://fs7.formsite.com/ORPCColorado/tzfu6qfb1z/index

In just one year, 51,073 substantive reports were made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. This is not just a global issue, it’s a domestic challenge that demands a united, nationwide response.

Join us in raising awareness and showing support by wearing blue this month. Let’s shine a light on this issue.

Learn more: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/responding-human-trafficking-among-children-and-youth-foster-care-and-missing

Last week, ORPC staff Christy Van Gaasbeek, Melanie Jordan, and Shawna Geiger presented a Legislative and Caselaw Update in the beautiful city of Grand Junction, Colorado!

We appreciated the opportunity to share valuable insights and engage with local professionals. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event.

Exciting progress for families in Colorado!

House Bill 23-1027, Parent and Child Family Time, authorized a cutting-edge study to develop best practice recommendations for family time in dependency and neglect cases.

The High Quality Parenting Time Task Force, in partnership with the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab, created three categories of best practice standards to strengthen families:

1️⃣ Plan development
2️⃣ Implementation practices
3️⃣ Infrastructural supports

These recommendations aim to reduce trauma, improve outcomes, and support reunification success for children, youth, and parents. By using a mixed-methods approach—including surveys, data analysis, and expert interviews—this initiative sets the stage for a brighter future for families across the state.

Learn more about this impactful work!

Best Practices for Family Time in Colorado - Colorado Evaluation & Action Lab Share Home » Resources » Best Practices for Family Time in Colorado A Data-Informed Approach to Drive Outcomes Funding Partner/ Project Sponsor Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel Collaborators High Quality Parenting Time Task Force Project Status Complete Methods Descriptive Analysis Mixed Me...

Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and a wonderful New Year from the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel!

Did you know?

Up to 46% of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26.

At ORPC, we're building a community of family defenders to support children's reunification with their parents, aiming to prevent unnecessary foster care placements and reduce youth homelessness.

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program offer valuable resources, training, and information to help implement effective youth programs in your community.

Together, we can make a difference! Join us in our mission to keep families together.

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program The goal of YHDP is to support selected communities, including rural, suburban, and urban areas across the United States, in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. Additionally, HUD is committed to sharing that experience o...