Abstract
This chapter outlines policies and procedures related to permanency options for children and families. The chapter outlines the types of permanency outcomes and ways to identify permanency goals alongside family members and professionals to ensure timely permanence. This chapter discusses service planning to meet permanency goals as well as establishing concurrent permanency plans and the importance of family reunification. The chapter discusses meeting service goals, rates of permanency, and foster care re-entry.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Libby Fakier, MBA, for the contribution to Chap. 10.
Discussion Questions
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1.
What are the two most common permanency outcomes for children in care?
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2.
What is one federal policy that governs permanency for children in care?
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3.
What factors are considered in determining the best interests of the child?
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4.
What are two reasons to adopt a teen from foster care?
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5.
Under what circumstances should child welfare professionals consider guardianship over adoption?
Suggested Activities
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1.
Research what your state is doing to promote permanency (reunification and adoption). Think of 2–3 ways that your state and/or child welfare agency could work towards better permanency outcomes in general, for youth, and for children with special needs.
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2.
Make a list of agencies that recruit and train foster and adoptive parents in your community. What are some services they provide? How could they improve the number of children who need a permanent placement?
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3.
Read the investigative reporting coverage of “The Child Exchange” https://www.reuters.com/investigates/adoption/#article/part1, and write a reflection paper. Consider exploring how child welfare can learn from the failures of permanency in the international adoptions presented in the report and what we need in society to keep all children safe.
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4.
Read Austin et al. (2020). Consider the risk and protective factors presented about Alaska Native/American Indian children and non-native children. Write a reflection paper exploring how these factors could be considered in determining permanency for the groups of children.
Austin, A. E., Gottfredson, N. C., Marshall, S. W., Halpern, C. T., Zolotor, A. J., Parrish, J. W., & Shanahan, M. E. (2020). Heterogeneity in risk and protection among Alaska Native/American Indian and non-native children. Prevention Science, 21(1), 86–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-019-01052-y (Available: https://rdcu.be/ccglr).
Additional Resources
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Adopt US Kids: https://adoptuskids.org/
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Annie E. Casey Foundation: https://www.aecf.org/
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Child Welfare Information Gateway, Achieving and Maintaining Permanency: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/permanency/
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Juvenile Law Center, What is “Permanency” and Why should you Care?: https://jlc.org/news/what-permanency-and-why-should-you-care
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Child Welfare Information Gateway, National Adoption Month: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/nam/
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National Center for Youth Law, Promoting Permanency for Teens: A 50 State Review of Law and Policy: https://youthlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Promoting-Permanency-for-Teens.pdf
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Geiger, J.M., Schelbe, L. (2021). Permanency in Child Welfare Practice. In: The Handbook on Child Welfare Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73912-6_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73912-6_10
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