Children and youth in out-of-home care should be involved in the permanency planning process to the fullest 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 in achieving permanency. This section includes resources to help caseworkers prepare children and youth for permanency and offers strategies that help engage youth in the process. Resources include State and local examples.
Creating a Permanency Driven Organization: A Guidebook for Change in Child Welfare (PDF - 9,155 KB)
Anu Family Services & Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2013)
Discusses how child welfare agencies can help foster youth identify and communicate with family and other adults who can assist them during and after their permanency journey. Appendices include a planning guide for permanency-focused case management and an assessment to determine youth connections with family and other adults.
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 446KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2013 |
Making it Possible: Permanency Pathways for Older Youth in Care (Facilitator’s Guide) (PDF - 450 KB)
National Center for Child Welfare Excellence (2014)
Offers a 1-day training curriculum to explore the laws, policies, and practices that have had an impact on child welfare’s approach to permanency. The curriculum also discusses how to engage and prepare youth for permanency. Also see the Participant Notebook. (PDF - 1,393 KB)
The Role of the Court in Implementing the Older Youth Provisions of the Strengthening Families Act (PDF - 650 KB)
Pokempner (2016)
ABA Center on Children and the Law & Juvenile Law Center
Outlines the provisions of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (SFA). This issue brief lists the basic legal requirements of SFA, discusses court implementation, suggests questions the court can ask, and gives strategies for attorneys and advocates to prepare youth for court and case planning.
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway; AdoptUSKids |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,070KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Ten Things That Youth Want Child Welfare Professionals to Know: Talking to Youth in Foster Care About Permanency
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections & Virginia Department of Social Services (2013)
Highlights the recommendations given by youth who were adopted or in foster care and presents their tips on how caseworkers can talk to youth in foster care about permanency.
We Never Outgrow the Need for Family—Just Ask Us: Talking With Older Youth About Adoption [Video]
Administration for Children and Families (2016)
Features teens involved with the child welfare system and their perspectives and experiences in developing permanent connections.
State and local examples
Because Relationships Matter: Improving Opportunities and Outcomes for Youth in Foster Care (PDF - 418 KB)
Joseph & Feder (2014)
Connecticut Voices for Children
Examines best practices for facilitating youth permanency by examining relationships that can help support permanency. This report also explores systemic barriers to permanency for youth in care.
The New England Youth Permanence Convening: A Regional Approach to Improving Outcomes
Duva, Springwater, & Freundlich (2013)
Children’s Voice, 21(3)
Presents a regional effort with several States in New England that are collaborating with Casey Family Services and Programs to develop a strategic regional approach to training and peer consultation for youth permanency.
Pathways to Permanency: Expanding on APPLA Provisions and Youth Engagement to Improve Permanency (PDF - 225 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2017)
Defines child welfare agency and court responsibilities related to the another planned permanent living arrangement (APPLA) provisions of P.L. 113–183 and provides background information on the purpose of APPLA as well as strategies for increasing youth engagement and voice in permanency planning.