Credit hours:
2.00

Course Summary

This course is designed to help foster parents and caregivers understand and support permanency for foster youth. In this course you will learn that permanency comes in many different shapes and sizes, and that different people can provide different types of permanency for foster youth. FosterClub believes permanence is vital to a youth in and from care's success in life, and that foster parents can play a vital role in this helping youth establish this.

In this course, you can expect to learn:

  • The federal definition of permanency

  • Statistics for permanency outcomes

  • Your role in helping children and youth establish permanence

  • Youth perspective about permanence

  • Build skills to speak to children and youth about permanence

Step 1

Read this FosterClub Real Story written by Aaron Weaver explaining how achieving permanency can make a significant contribution to a young person’s time spent in care.

Step 2

Read "Permanency: More Than Just Homes." The article was written for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers, and contains relevant and valuable information for foster parents and caregivers

Step 3

Read pages 1-5 of "Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children" from the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Step 4

Review the National Foster Youth Advisory Council's (NFYAC), a group of young leaders who have experienced foster care, top ten recommendations for Ensuring Permanency for Youth in the Foster Care.

Step 5

Young people have a need for permanence even after they leave foster care. Read the blog "You Don't Age Out of Family" written by Julia Charles, a FosterClub Lived Experience Leader.

Step 6

Read this FosterClub Real Story by Aleks Talsky about the importance of educating young people on their permanency options and allowing them agency to determine their own permanency plan.

Step 7

Join the discussion in the comments below to answer the following question:

What actions will you take to ensure children and youth in your care have an active role in their own permanency plans?

Step 8

Finished the module? If you are logged in as a subscribed user, take the quiz to earn your Continuing Education Credit hours and certificate!

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Course Discussion

eolsen121's picture
3 years 3 weeks ago

eolsen121 said:

It is important to be knowledgeable of all the federal guidelines about permanency so you know what to expect and maybe be ahead of the game during your journey. Unfortunately in my case our original plan was for reunification but after over 2 years right have now been terminated and we are now changing the goal to adoption.
gspivey79's picture
3 years 1 month ago

gspivey79 said:

In our case, reunification is not in the best interest of the children but it is difficult to convince older children that it is the right decision. It is good as a foster parent to understand the federal guidelines about permanency so we can be informed.
tiamnichols's picture
3 years 1 month ago

tiamnichols said:

It is good to have a federal definition but foster youth deserve to be listened to and to look at what is in their best interest.
loldroyd's picture
3 years 3 months ago

loldroyd said:

Foster parents should use the federal definition of permanency as a "guideline" to protect children in the foster system. However, permanency plans are not one-size-fits-all. Children have personal, specific needs that will help provide a solid sense of permanency.
kateem02's picture
3 years 3 months ago

kateem02 said:

A federal definition is important for setting minimum standards that each child should receive no matter where they live. The definition of permanency defined by foster youth is important because the youths themselves point out that it’s not a one size fits all definition. The youths needs and desires should be taken into account when permanency is being planned.
Rangel1222's picture
3 years 3 months ago

Rangel1222 said:

As important as it is for there to be a federal definition of permanency, the youth's definition is more important. Each child may have a different definition and as a foster parent, it is important to understand and acknowledge their views.
KaylaReiter's picture
3 years 5 months ago

KaylaReiter said:

helpful and insightful
roger097's picture
3 years 7 months ago

roger097 said:

great and helpful information
msbeky1101's picture
3 years 8 months ago

msbeky1101 said:

I think we follow Federal as well as listen to the children
mhowardjr35's picture
3 years 8 months ago

mhowardjr35 said:

I think both side need careful consideration. Every situation is different and to have one standard of flow is not necessarily the best for each foster child.