An Introduction to Permanence

Credit hours:

2.00

Course Summary

Welcome to a course designed to help foster parents and caregivers regarding 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. We believe permanence is vital to a foster youth’s success in life, therefore we plan on expanding on this topic with future courses.

In this course, you can expect to learn:

The federal definition of permanency
Statistics for permanency outcomes
Your role in helping children establish permanence
Youth perspective about permanence and build skills to speak to 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, but 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 "You don't age out of family", a blog written by Julia Charles, a #FosterClubLeader.

Step 6

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

Do you think foster parents need to pay most attention to the federal definition of permanency or the youths' definition? Why?

Course Discussion

1 year 2 weeks ago

jmangen1974 said:

I think it's important to pay attention to everything as a foster parent. We are an advocate for the children but at the same time need to know the laws and policies to effectively help the children.

1 year 1 month ago

FoyIsabelle said:

It's important to have an understanding of permanency in both regards. As a foster parent, you need to be familiarized with the law while also taking the child's needs into consideration.

1 year 2 months ago

ShaynaLazar said:

I believe that foster parents should definitely pay attention to the federal definition of importance, but I believe the youths definition is a little more important. The youth are the ones experiencing these things first hand and know how to explain it the best. No one will understand but them what they are truly going through. It is important that we listen and let the youth know that we hear them.

1 year 3 months ago

KMorse19 said:

The county, state and federal definition is always going to trump that of a child. Support the child and try to advocate for them.

Sunnysar said:

The federal definition gives ideas and guidelines- but each individual must be heard so that we can provide for unique needs.

epowell said:

I believe that taking both into consideration would be better for everyone in the situation.

1 year 4 months ago

Jeanice Jeters said:

listen to the youth as well as explain your intentions to them.

AlexaGutierrez said:

I think that a foster parent will be able to better provide for the child if they focus on the child/teen's definition of prominence. Prominence isn't a one fits all situation.

1 year 5 months ago

zschulz said:

It is important to listen to the youth as well as explain your intentions to them.

Krisark@hotmai.com said:

While the federal law and definition are important the child’s definition is more important. Every child is different and they have to be respected as such.

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