Permanency Planning Options
First and foremost, children need caregivers to whom they can attach in a loving, safe, permanent relationship. The goal for every child in care is a permanent, loving, and safe home, and it is the responsibility of the child welfare system to make every attempt to provide the opportunity for a child to belong to a committed, safe, nurturing family. The three critical elements to achieving permanence for a child are safety, stability and attachment. All three elements are essential for normal and healthy child development. Children in care can experience multiple placements. If we decrease the number of placements a child experiences, we can help ensure the emotional stability of the child.
These tools, models and mechanisms will assist parents, child welfare agencies and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services in meeting desired outcomes:
- A common approach to the recruitment and retention of foster, kin, customary care and adoptive families (PRIDE)
- A standard home and family assessment approach to foster, kin, customary care and adoptive families (SAFE)
- A research and outcome based approach to the planning and monitoring for children in care (OnLAC)
- Portability of approved homestudies between public and private adoption agencies
- A protocol agreement to improve collaborative efforts between child welfare agencies and private practitioners