Preparing Children and Youth for Permanency

Children and youth in out-of-home care must be involved in planning for their own permanency to the extent possible. Discussing permanency options, explaining the processes, and helping children and youth deal with the emotional ups and downs are all activities that can help prepare and support them to achieve permanency.

The 3-5-7 Model: Preparing Children for Permanency
Henry
Children and Youth Services Review, 27(2), 2005
View Abstract
A practice model for assisting children in grieving losses, formulating self-identity, establishing trust and security through attachments, and building relationships and openness to join families on a permanent basis.

Child-Specific Publicity (PDF - 604 KB)
North American Council on Adoptable Children (2000)
Information on publicizing waiting children, including making the decision and preparing the child.

Consent to Adoption

The Family Bound Program: A Toolkit for Preparing Teens for Permanent Family Connections. Welcome In: Families' Guide to the Family Bound Program
Communities for People, Inc. (2002)
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Helps teens living in residential care prepare for placement with a foster or adoptive family.

The Family Bound Program: A Toolkit for Preparing Teens for Permanent Family Connections. Handbook for Teens
Communities for People, Inc. (2002)
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Includes worksheets for teens that correspond to each session of the Family Bound program.

FYI Binder: The Tool for Youth Involvement
FosterClub
Resources for youth to become more involved in their foster care plans.

Life Skills Guidebook (PDF - 872 KB)
Casey Family Programs (2004)
This guide for foster parents and social workers describes how to develop a life skills training plan for youth preparing for the transition to independent living.

See You in Court: Tips for Preparing Foster Kids for Their Adoption Finalization
O'Malley (2006)
Discusses how social workers can help foster families prepare children and teenagers for their adoption finalization.

Using a Two-Sided Matching Model to Facilitate Placement of Children for Adoption (PDF - 8 KB)
Hansen (2003)
Describes a proposed study to examine the application of two-sided matching theory to the creation of an automated system for making decisions about placing children with prospective adoptive families.

Updated on March 19, 2010