An Introduction to Permanence

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!

Course Discussion

2 years 3 weeks ago

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.

2 years 1 month ago

zschulz said:

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

2 years 2 months ago

[email protected] 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.

ktrickel said:

They need to pay attention to both. They need to understand the general idea behind permanency, and what their foster youth identifies as their permanency. Each child is different, and has different expectations for permanency.

myrandacairns said:

They definitely should have an understanding of the federal law. But I feel it’s very important to listen to youth. After all, our goal is to keep the child safe and do what is best for them. They deserve to have a say in their futures

DanielaPizarro said:

I believe that foster parents should definitely pay attention to the federal definition of permanence and it’s importance, it all ties itself together as the law but also following and paying attention to the youth is just as significant

2 years 3 months ago

CatherineCuriel said:

I think that any foster parent should be mindful of the law on permanence and its concept. But I still believe that children have rights and should be heard, they have the right to have a permanent home and care

2 years 5 months ago

VictoriaAllison said:

I think that foster parents need to find a balance between following the federal definition of permanency and the youths' definition. It's important to realize that the federal definition was created for a reason and it should not be completely ignored but foster parents still need to pay attention to the youths' definition because they're the ones who the definition is for and they know themselves so they know their needs.

2 years 7 months ago

EllenArwen said:

It's important to understand the youth's definition of permanency. While not every foster home can provide permanency directly, every foster home can work to support permanency.

Annabelle Russell said:

It is important to understand the federal definition of permanency, but at the same time it is always important to listen to your youth. Each youth is different and nothing is ever by the “textbook.” Listening to your youth and allowing them to let you know what they need and want is important and it helps build a stronger relationship.

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