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Resources for Families About Permanency

Understanding and participating in the permanency process can be overwhelming for families. The following page provides guidance and support to help birth, foster, kinship, adoptive, and guardianship parents better understand their unique roles in the permanency process.

  • For parents seeking reunification
  • For foster, kinship, guardianship, and adoptive parents

Families Considering Foster Care and Adoption

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 240KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2019
Summarizes what foster parents should consider while deciding whether to adopt the child or youth in their care. This factsheet does not address the specifics of how to adopt; it provides information on the differences between foster care and adoption, advantages of foster parent adoption, strategies for foster/adoptive families, and useful references.

Helping Your Child Transition from Foster Care to Adoption

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 484KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2018
Offers guidance on helping children with the foster-to-adoption transition process, including specific coping strategies for different developmental stages. Explores ways to promote attachment and provides resources available to help families with permanency.

Kinship Guardianship as a Permanency Option

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 1,710KB)
Year Published
2019
Reviews State laws and policies that allow a family member or other person with close ties to a child who has been placed in out-of-home care to become that's child's permanent guardian. Guardianship has emerged as a permanency option for a child who has been placed in out-of-home care as it creates a legal relationship between a child and caregiver that is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining and can provide a permanent family for the child without the necessity of terminating the parents' parental rights. A guardian's rights and duties, approving a guardianship home, modifying or revoking a guardianship, and kinship guardianship assistance are among the issues addressed. Summaries of relevant laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Partnering With Relatives to Promote Reunification

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 346KB)
Order (Free)
Disponibilidad
Ver
Versión para imprimir (PDF - 397KB)
Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published
2020
Shares stories and advice from caregivers and birth parents who have experienced kinship care on the importance of maintaining boundaries, managing family dynamics, building trust, positive parenting and communication, and securing support.

Reunification: Bringing Your Children Home From Foster Care

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 575KB)
Disponibilidad
Ver
Versión para imprimir (PDF - 837KB)
Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published
2016
Provides a general overview of the reunification process, including what parents can expect while their children are in foster care, what they can do to help their children return home, and what to expect after children return home. Resources available to help families during and after reunification also are included.

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Related Content

Immigration and Child Welfare

Impact of Kinship Care on Permanency Outcomes

Integrating Foster Parents in Permanency Planning

Resources for Youth

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