DEFINITION OF PERMANENCY

Permanency is both a process and a result that includes involvement of the youth as a participant or leader in finding a permanent connection with at least one committed adult who provides:

• A safe, stable and secure parenting relationship
  
  
• Love
  
  
• Unconditional commitment
  
  
• Lifelong support in the context of reunification, a legal adoption, or guardianship, where possible, and in which the youth has the opportunity to maintain contacts with important persons including brothers & sisters

A broad array of individualized permanency options exist; reunification and adoption are an important two among many that may be appropriate.

DEFINITION OF A PERMANENT LIFELONG CONNECTION

An adult who consistently states and demonstrates that she or he has entered an unconditional, lifelong parent-like relationship with the youth. The youth agrees that the adult will play this role in his or her life.

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