Children and youth with disabilities are overrepresented in the child welfare system. Not only do children with disabilities experience a higher rate of maltreatment compared with children without disabilities, it is also more difficult to find resource families who are trained, prepared, and willing to parent children with disabilities who enter the child welfare system. To successfully find permanent homes for these children, it is necessary for child welfare professionals to understand the barriers to permanency for this population and be able to apply targeted permanency planning strategies. Resources include State and local examples.
Foster Care Outcomes for Children with Intellectual Disability
Slayter (2016)
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 54(4)
Explores outcomes for youth in foster care with an intellectual disability and implications for interagency collaboration.
Improving the Transition to Adulthood for Youth With Disabilities in Foster Care
Juvenile Law Center
Provides information for young adults with disabilities and the professionals working with them on permanency planning and supports.
An Overview of Adoption for Children With Disabilities (PDF - 1,751)
Kim (2013)
CW360º: A Comprehensive Look at a Prevalent Child Welfare Issue: The Intersection of Child Welfare and Disability: Focus on Children
Provides historical context and current challenges to achieving permanency for children with disabilities.
Transition Planning for Youth With Disabilities: From the Child Welfare System to Adulthood: A Guide for Professionals (PDF - 659 KB)
Juvenile Law Center & Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (2013)
Examines youth with disabilities in the child welfare system and discusses transition and permanency planning for this population.
State and local examples
Behavioral Rehabilitative Services Handbook (PDF - 314 KB)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services & Washington State Children's Administration (2014)
Describes an intensive support and treatment program for children with behavioral/emotional disturbances as well as developmental disabilities, which is designed to assist them in transitioning to a less restrictive environment.
Older Youth With Disabilities in Foster Care (PDF - 1,536 KB)
University of Minnesota, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2012)
Reviews the prevalence and experiences of older youth with disabilities in foster care in Minnesota, including a discussion of permanency outcomes.
Permanency Planning for Children
Texas Health and Human Services
Explains the goals of permanency planning in Texas for individuals needing a permanent living arrangement, including those with developmental disabilities.
Permanency Planning Resource Guide (PDF - 572 KB)
Texas Human Services, Department of Family and Protective Services (2017)
Discusses planning for permanency in Texas. The guide includes a section on permanency planning for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.