Helping children, families, and communities grow stronger together.

Permanency Planning

As part of its practice with children involved in foster care, Casey Family Services involves young people and parents, family, and significant adults – a young person’s “natural network” – in a planning and decision-making process about the child or youth’s future.

A Casey social worker helps build a team around a particular youth, “John’s Team” for example, and works with the team to address John’s needs for safety, well-being, and family.

The predominant role of the team is to plan and make decisions involving the youth’s permanency outcome. If the youth is unable to return home, someone from his or her natural network is identified to become the legal parent or guardian. If no one on the team can assume that role, the team can help recruit a prospective family for the youngster.

Permanency planning is central to the services offered to all children who are placed with Casey Family Services.

In addition, the Massachusetts Division offers collaborative permanency planning to children served by foster care programs outside of Casey.