Permanency Planning
The goals of this module are to help the reader understand permanency planning and the legal framework surrounding it, to explore new approaches to service delivery, and to understand family-centered principles and practices.
A current definition of permanency planning is a systematic process of carrying out, within a brief, time-limited period, a set of goal-directed activities designed to help children live in families that offer safety, continuity of relationships with nurturing parents or caretakers, and the opportunity to establish life-long relationships (Fein & Maluccio, 1983).
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 is a Federal statute that guides State child welfare practice. The Act is intended to clarify Congress's intent regarding child welfare practice, including the "reasonable efforts" requirement; reaffirm the commitment to family preservation and reunification while at the same time ensuring the safety of children; and shorten the amount of time a child spends in certain parts of the child welfare system.
Family-centered practice can be defined as practice demonstrating an appreciation that: (a) the well-being of all families is the cornerstone of a healthy society; (b) the primary responsibility for the development and well-being of children lies within the family; (c) every family has needs that are unique at each stage in its life span; (d) families are entitled to self-determination, privacy, and fair access to resources and services to help them care for their children; and (e) parental rights are conditioned by an obligation to protect children and promote their development and well-being (Manalo & Meezan, 2000).