Resources

• Concurrent Planning: A Web-based Practice Toolkit
  This toolkit was funded through a cooperative agreement between the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York and the Children’s Bureau to the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC).This toolkit is intended as an online tool for states and tribes where promising practices, programs and resources are made available. NRCPFC plans to regularly update the toolkit as new programs, practices, publications and policies that focus on concurrent planning become available. It can provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues and share program successes and challenges. In putting together this toolkit, we reviewed current research and documentation on concurrent planning. Our goal is to provide the field with information on the nine components necessary for successful concurrent planning practice. We provide a broad array of resources from research, peer reviewed articles, state policies, procedures and practices, tip sheets, curricula and an organizational self study guide.
  
  
• Concurrent Planning for Permanency for Children: Summary of State Laws
  This Child Welfare Information Gateway resource provides an overview of State laws related to concurrent planning for permanency. Currently, most State concurrent planning statutes allow, but do not require, concurrent planning. Other States require the use of concurrent planning under specific circumstances. Two States require agencies to engage in concurrent planning from the time the child first comes into care. Access the Summary by clicking on the link above. To see how specific States address the issue in their statutes, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes Search. (2009)
  
  

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.