Topic: Permanency Enhancement Interventions for Adolescents
Definition for Permanency Enhancement Interventions for Adolescents:
Permanency Enhancement Interventions for Adolescents are defined by the CEBC as interventions to increase the timely achievement of permanency for adolescents by locating one or more adults that will care for the child or youth up to and beyond the age of 18. The interventions reviewed for this area are designed to address the various barriers to permanency for adolescents including emotional or behavioral disorders that may be present in the youth, no availability of a caring adult in the youth's life, and court or other legal delays to achieving permanency. Note: Many states offer a subsidized guardianship program to enhance permanency through establishing legal guardianship of children in foster care, please click here for more information about these types of programs.
- Target population: Child and youth in out-of-home placements
- Services/types that fit: Services that include caregiver recruitment efforts and/or intensive searches for family members as well as services to address the needs of these youth and support youth in permanent placements
- Delivered by: Child welfare workers, mental health professionals, or trained paraprofessionals
- In order to be included: Program must specifically target youth permanency as a goal
- In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines permanency-related outcomes, such as exits from out-of-home care, family connections, or placement disruptions
Programs in this Topic Area
The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.
Topic Expert
Peter Pecora, PhD, Professor and Senior Director of Research Services at Casey Family Programs
University of Washington School of Social Work
Seattle, WA