Goals in Foster Care Placement 624-05-15-115

(Revised 7/1/2025 ML #3928)

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Every child in foster care is required to have a permanency goal, whether it be singular or concurrent. All permanency goals must be established in a timely manner and be appropriate for the circumstances present in the case. The rationale utilized to select the goal(s) should be documented in the case record.

 

It is imperative that a plan be developed with the Child & Family Team related to the underlying causes or diminished parent/caregiver protective capacities that have resulted in the child being unsafe.

The safety and permanency for children and their families must be the priority for everyone involved in the case planning to assure timely permanence and goal achievement.

 

The purpose of the case plan is to support meaningful and lasting changes in families that result in sustainable safety for the child. The case plan will provide outcomes such as reunification and/or an alternate permanency plan. Federal law requires that case plans document the goals and progress being made toward permanency. If the team decides that concurrent goals are reasonable to ensure timely and appropriate permanence, then simultaneous efforts to achieve those goals must be made and documented in the Protective Capacity Progress Assessment (PCPA). Permanency goals must be continually assessed and be reviewed quarterly.

 

Permanency goals may include:

The following sections will provide guidance on goal selection, implementation, elimination, and worker responsibilities.