Legal Permanency Definitions This page contains information related to the legal permanency definitions. Permanency achieved Child has legal permanency (reunification with safe case closure expected, adoption or legal guardianship). Very good permanency status Child is in a family setting that the child, the caregivers and the casework team believe is lifelong, and the caregivers and child are committed to formalizing the relationship through adoption or transfer of guardianship; – OR – Child is in stable living situation with own parents (not a trial reunification) and identified safety threats have been eliminated. Very good – No consultation required Meets criteria of "Very good permanency status" but in accordance with policy a consultation is not required. Good permanency status Child is in a family setting that the child, caregivers and case workers believe is lifelong; a plan is in place to maintain safety and stability; the child, if old enough, and the caregiver(s) are committed to the plan; and adoption/guardianship/ issues, if any, are near resolution. – OR – Child is in stable living situation with own parents (not a trial reunification) and identified safety threats are being controlled through an in-home safety plan. Good – No consultation required Meets criteria of "Good permanency status" but in accordance with policy a consultation is not required. Fair permanency status Child is in a family setting that the child, caregivers and case workers believe could endure lifelong; a plan is in place to ensure safety and stability is achieved, and the child, if old enough, and the caregiver(s) are committed to the plan; and adoption/guardianship/reunification issues, if any, are being addressed; – OR – Child is in temporary placement but transition is planned and child is ready to move to identified safe, appropriate, caregivers who are willing to provide legal permanency; a child and family plan for safety and permanency is being implemented; and the child, if old enough, and caregiver(s) are committed to the plan. Uncertain permanency status Child is in a family setting that the child, caregivers and casework team feel could endure lifelong; they are developing a plan to achieve safety and stability, and it is uncertain if the relationship will be formalized legally; – OR – Child is in a temporary placement, and likelihood of reunification or a legally permanent home is uncertain; adoption/guardianship issues are being assessed; and concurrent permanency plan(s), if any, are uncertain or problematic. Poor permanency status Child is living in a home that is not likely to endure or is moving from home-to-home due to safety and stability problems, failure to resolve adoption/guardianship issues, or because the home is unacceptable to the child; – OR – Child remains in temporary home without a realistic or achievable legal permanency goal; and concurrent permanency plan(s), if any, have stalled or failed.
