Promoting Permanency for Older Youth in Out-of-Home Care

Although achieving safety, well-being, and permanency for children and youth is the overarching goal of child welfare practice, older youth don't achieve permanency at the same rate as younger children. Meaningful, enduring relationships with supportive adults can improve opportunities and outcomes related to education, employment, income, housing, mental health, and more. It should remain a priority for all young people involved with child welfare, but especially for older youth, who are more likely to linger in out-of-home care and transition to independence without permanency. 

The path toward permanency can be nuanced and challenging, and each young person's journey is unique. This bulletin provides child welfare professionals with information about the importance of permanency—in its many forms—and strategies for achieving it.

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