Once children have been placed with a permanent family, they and their families often require support to stabilize the family. This is true in the case of reunification, placement with kin, guardianship, or if the child is adopted. Supporting families and caregivers can involve an array of services that should be tailored to each family’s circumstances. Postpermanency services may include financial support, case management, connections with community services, and other supports. The following resources discuss a range of support options to consider when working with children, youth, and families after permanency.
Monroe & Harris (2013)
University of Florida. UF/IFAS Extension
View Abstract and Document
Offers support for families who are being reunified after the children are placed in foster care. It offers tips for these families and their supporters in meeting the needs of the children and the needs of the family as a whole.
Implementing a Post-Care Service System in Child Welfare: The Catawba County Child Wellbeing Project (PDF - 489 KB)
Redmond, Mabry, Ball, Wilson, Brandes, Metz, et al. (2012)
Child Trends
Details a project to improve the well-being of children and youth who leave foster care through reunification, guardianship, or adoption by offering coordinated postcare services.
Permanency Innovations Initiative (PII) Project Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau (2014)
Includes resources from the Federal Permanency Innovations Initiative, a multisite demonstration project designed to improve permanency outcomes among children in foster care who have the most serious barriers to permanency.
Post-Permanency: An Assessment for Families' Needs for Services and Supports (PDF - 153 KB)
Freundlich, Avery, Gerstenzang, & Munson (2006)
Journal of Family Strengths, 9(1)
Reports the results of a qualitative study that sought the perspectives of birth parents and adoptive parents following reunification or adoption of children from foster care.
Supporting and Retaining LGBT Foster and Adoptive Parents (PDF - 323 KB)
Ariyakulkan (2012)
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections
Addresses practices for supporting and retaining lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender foster and adoptive parents, including characteristics of postpermanency support and a list of relevant organizations and resources.