Working With Children, Youth, and Families in Permanency Planning

During the permanency planning process, it is critical for child welfare workers to work closely with children, youth, and families. The Federal Child and Family Services Reviews, which looked at child welfare in every State, found that engaging families in case planning and timely and quality caseworker visits were the two most important activities to impact child welfare outcomes—including permanency. Family input can help guide workers toward the most beneficial permanency plan for each child and ensure that children have a support network both during and after they leave out-of-home care. Workers may engage and work with families in different ways depending on the circumstances and goals of the case.