In summary, the first results of our study suggest that securing relational permanence can have a greater impact on an adolescent`s life than simply establishing legal permanence. Adopting teens into foster care is often a difficult task, and there is no guarantee that their adoption will ultimately lead to a lifelong bond. However, by promoting the factors that facilitate longevity of relationships, we can ensure that young people feel safe, comfortable and connected to the families who care for them. If the teen feels like part of the family and is being treated well, the relationship is likely to be maintained by the teens as they grow up and continue to benefit from these strong bonds. The Texas Youth Permanency Study aims to assess permanency in three dimensions to understand where and how policies and practices can be modified to meet the needs of older teens in foster care. The three dimensions are defined as follows: “There is something in you because of what has happened to you that wants the love and care that has been denied to you or that you need. For me, it means having a mother figure, a father figure and siblings. Above all, it was important. Do you see yourself as part of the permanency solution for older teens in foster care? Learn more about how you can make a difference today. You should know why you are being cared for and what it takes for you to be able to return to your family. Ask your clerk or lawyer if you don`t know. If there are services or supports that you think would help with reunification, you should share your views. In our pilot project, we found that some teens had maintained their relationships with caring adults, but had not experienced adoption or reunion.
When we looked at the factors that helped strengthen relationship stability, we found that normalcy and fair treatment facilitated strong relationships, improved teens` well-being, and made teens want to maintain the relationship over time. Despite the fact that these teenagers left foster care at the age of 18, they felt that these foster families and individuals were their family and continued to rely on their support. Adolescents who achieved relational permanence during foster care had fewer placement changes, felt better prepared for life after foster care, and appeared to have had better experiences in adolescence and early adulthood than participants who did not achieve relational permanence during care. Whenever we talk about permanence, we will address the three components: legal, emotional and physical (stability of the life situation). All three are important and Ampersand Families is rarely satisfied with a plan for a child or teen that ensures only one aspect of permanence. How can we help support youth over the long term and avoid homelessness? “I feel like I wish a legally responsible family, someone willing to adopt me, would have given me the opportunities I`ve never had. Be as equal as a normal child. Foster care is an essential and temporary support that ensures the safety and care of children and youth until they remain permanent through reunion, transfer of physical and legal custody, or adoption. Foster parents play a central role in supporting adolescents until the child welfare system follows its steps towards the ultimate goal, which has always been to return a child to a safe, loving and legally secure family.
Efforts to achieve sustainability today are largely focused on achieving legal sustainability. However, our pilot study shows that relationship permanence is a much better indicator of the quality of an adolescent`s relationships with his family. The Texas Youth Permanency Study pilot ran from February to August 2017 to calibrate survey methods, tools, and best research practices. Thirty former foster children participated in a survey and open interview about their experiences with foster care, adoption and permanency in general. In our pilot project, we had several teenagers who had been adopted as children or teenagers. Some of these adoptions have failed. When we looked at the factors that contributed to the dissolution of adoption, we found that these adolescents had weak ties to families. Some of the reasons that prevented teens from connecting with their families included lack of emotional and social support, perceived inferiority to the caregiver`s biological children, and the belief that adoptive families were only there for the money. Although legal permanence was achieved, participants made it clear that one essential element was missing from their experience – they did not feel like family.
The fundamental challenge in the best interests of the child is to reconcile the right of parents to raise their child with the State`s obligation to meet the security, stability and well-being needs of each child. The following resources should help you understand the basics of federal mandates that set statewide standards to ensure foster children end up with a permanent, loving family. “Permanency” means that a child has a safe, stable and caring environment in which to grow up and a lifelong relationship with a caregiver. The concept of permanency is central to U.S. child protection legislation and child protection policy, as permanence is the foundation of healthy child development. Children`s basic needs include safety and protection; a sense of identity; recognition of themselves as important and valued people; stability and continuity of nurses; an opportunity to learn and grow cognitively, physically and emotionally; and a legally compliant protected safe environment. Permanency, embodied by a secure and stable relationship with a caregiver, makes it possible to meet these basic needs. One of the main reasons for youth homelessness in this country is the inability of the child welfare system to find a permanency for all youth in care. Most people realize that the average young person is not ready to be completely independent until their mid-twenties, but government care systems that serve the less fortunate and less supported youth end services as early as age 18.
In this context, the permanence of older children in foster care is clearly an essential element of the transition to adulthood and of academic and professional success. Although these principles are presented in sequential order, this order does not reflect a preferred order or the value or relevance of each principle.
