Child welfare agencies use a variety of strategies to achieve permanency for children. Permanency planning involves decisive, time-limited, and goal-oriented activities to maintain children within their families of origin or place them with other permanent families. Permanency plans include the goal for permanency, the tasks required to achieve the goal, and the roles and responsibilities of all involved.
Adoption & Foster Care Statistics
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Offers statistics from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System reported by State child welfare agencies, including data on permanency outcomes for children exiting foster care.
Child Welfare Outcomes
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Presents child welfare outcomes reports that include data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System.
The Child Welfare Placement Continuum: What's Best for Children?
National Conference of State Legislatures (2019)
Explores placement options for children who must be removed from their homes and discusses how children should be placed in the least restrictive, most family-like environment available.
What Are Some Effective Strategies for Achieving Permanency?
Casey Family Programs (2018)
Discusses promising and evidence-based strategies that child welfare agencies can use to achieve permanency for children in out-of-home care.