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Guardianship

Caretakers can assume legal guardianship of a child in out-of-home care without termination of a child's parents' rights, as is required for an adoption. Legal guardianship is more durable than a simpler transfer of custody to caretakers.

• Subsidized guardianship
• Standby guardianship

Family Ties: Supporting Permanence for Children in Safe and Stable Foster Care With Relatives and Other Caregivers (PDF - 392 KB)
Fostering Results, Children and Family Research Center (2004)
Describes the need for financial incentives to promote legal guardianships in families who depend on foster care reimbursements to manage the cost of caring for children.

Guardianship: "Another Place Called Home"
Cornerstone Consulting Group, Inc. (2001)
View Abstract
Identifies considerations for establishing a guardianship program and describes strategies for funding subsidies.

Guardianship Information by State (PDF - 277 KB)
Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services (2005)
An overview of State guardianship legislation and links to each State's laws.

Guardianship Resources
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning
Links to reports and other resources related to guardianship.

Reasonable Efforts to Finalize a Permanency Plan for Legal Guardianship
Renne
ABA Child Law Practice, 20(9), 2001
View Abstract
Background information for judges who are responsible for determining whether the child welfare agency has met ASFA's reasonable efforts requirements.

When Children Cannot Return Home: Adoption and Guardianship
Testa
The Future of Children, 14(1), 2004
Analyzes trends in finding permanency for children. (PDF - 146 KB)

	Information Gateway Library Search Includes publications from 2000 to present Guardianship Related Information Gateway Topics Achieving & maintaining permanency: Postpermanency services Out-of-home care: Kinship care Adoption: Kinship/Relative families

Updated on February 29, 2008