NRCPFC: Concurrent Permanency Planning

A Service of the
Children's Bureau/
ACF/DHHS

Concurrent Permanency Planning

Resources

Tools for Permanency - Concurrent Permanency Planning
This tool offers a structured approach to moving children more quickly from the uncertainty of foster care to the stability and security of a permanent family.
Concurrent Planning: What the Evidence Shows
This issue brief includes a review and synthesis of research on concurrent planning and presents successful examples of concurrent planning from the field that demonstrate evidence-based practice. Information from the first round of Child and Family Services Reviews relating to how States use concurrent planning is also presented. The brief was developed in partnership with the Child Welfare League of America Research to Practice Initiative, under subcontract to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Concurrent Planning: Survey of Selected Sites
A survey compiled of 12 state's progress in planning and implementing concurrent permanency planning initiatives. By Lorrie Lutz.
Implementing Concurrent Planning: A Handbook for Child Welfare Administrators
This report from the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement looks at the experience of three jurisdictions in implementing concurrent planning. Based on their experience – as well as that of other individuals interviewed – this report also provides guidance for child welfare administrators who are moving into the concurrent planning environment: issues to tackle prior to getting started, changes in policy and practice, and resources to assist in the transition.
State Statute Series - Concurrent Planning for Permanency for Children
This document from the Child Welfare Information Gateway summarizes state statutes on concurrent planning.

Guides from the States

Idaho:
Standard: Concurrent Planning
Concurrent planning is the process of working toward reunification while at the same time establishing an alternative or contingency backup plan. The purpose of these standards from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is to provide direction and guidance to the Children and Family Services (CFS) programs regarding Concurrent Planning services. (2008)
Minnesota:
- Practice Guide for Concurrent Permanency Planning
  This guide from Children and Family Services describes a step-by-step approach to working with families in the child welfare system.
- Handbook for Training Concurrent Permanency Planning Resource Parents in Minnesota
  This publication from the North American Council on Adoptable Children contains exercises that help program managers and social workers prepare concurrent permanency planning resource parents to facilitate two contrasting permanency planning outcomes. By Mary Ford, M.S.W.
New Mexico:
Concurrent Planning
A guide for judges, attorneys, and others working with children and families.
Pennsylvania:
Integrating Concurrent Planning into Child Welfare
This training curriculum from the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh provides child welfare professionals with an understanding of what concurrent planning is, as well as its benefits and challenges. This training is intended for all caseworkers, supervisors, and administrators who provide direct services to families and/or develop policy that guides casework practice and allocation of resources.
Wisconsin:
Continuous Permanency Planning Timeline
This document is a work aid for county, tribal, contract, and state child welfare staff to standardize the concurrent case planning process, guide collateral communication, and coordinate permanency planning activities. The chart will help ensure timely legal determinations and referrals for permanency consultation leading to permanence for all children served by the Wisconsin child welfare system. This chart reflects good practice standards.
Wyoming:
Wyoming Concurrent Planning Handbook
This handbook, prepared with the assistance of the NRCPFC, describes the model of concurrent permanency planning adopted statewide, and provides guidance to caseworkers throughout the process.

Curriculum

Concurrent Planning Curriculum:
The overall training objectives of this curriculum developed by the National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning are: to enhance understanding of concurrent planning concepts and practices as a framework for child welfare practice; to expand knowledge and skills of engaging vulnerable families respect, empathy, genuineness and full disclosure; to increase differential assessment skills and the ability to think critically about case potential and progress; to enhance professionalism and professional competence in helping families engage in the process of change; and to enhance understanding of benefits and stages of family meetings to address safety, permanency and developmental well-being.

In English... En Español...

Module 1: Nuts and Bolts

Modulo 1: Los Puntos Basicos de la Planificacion Concurrente

Module 2: Differential Assessment

Modulo 2: La Evaluacion Diferencial para Prevenir el Desplazamiento en el Cuidado Adoptivo

Module 2: Handouts

Modulo 2: Hojas de Informacion

Module 3: Stages of Change

Modulo 3: Las Etapas de Cambio

Module 3: Handouts

Modulo 3: Hojas de Informacion

Module 4: Full Disclosure

Modulo 4: La Divulgacion Completa

Module 4: Handouts

Modulo 4: Hojas de Informacion

Module 5: Family Meetings

Modulo 5: Utilizando las Reuniones Familiares para Facilitar la Planificacion Concurrente

Module 5: Handouts

Modulo 5: Hojas de Informacion

Webcast

Concurrent Planning: Strategies for Implementation
This webcast was conducted on February 13, 2003. Presenters: Carol Kelly and Janyce L. Fenton

Download the Handouts
View the Webcast

Bibliography

Concurrent Permanency Planning
(January 2001)

PowerPoint Presentations

Concurrent Planning (January 2006)
Presented at an Administration for Children and Families Regional Office Teleconference by Janyce Fenton of the NRCPFC.
Concurrent Planning: Innovative Family-Centered Strategies for Timely Decision-Making
Prepared for City of Milwaukee Bureau of Child Welfare (April 2001)
Understanding and Using Concurrent Planning to Achieve Permanency for Children and Youth
From the ABA Conference Best Practices to Implement ASFA: Creative Strategies for Practitioners (June 2002)
Understanding and Using Concurrent Planning to Achieve Permanency for Children and Youth
From the ABA Conference; Best Practices to Implement AFSA: Creative Strategies for Practitioners (August 2009)

Last updated 08/10/09