Permanency Project

Highlights

Pennsylvania Permanency Project

Our ongoing work in Pennsylvania focuses on improving court and agency relationships, streamlining the legal process, and providing PA-specific training.

$30 Million Saved in Foster Care Costs

The Project has served 55 different counties in four states. Across all four states, we have reduced the time children spend in foster care by an average of nine months, realizing a positive impact on more than 3,000 children’s cases, and saving counties and states more than $30 million in foster care costs.

ABA Role

An ABA attorney project director guides the reform process. The ABA project director brings extensive firsthand knowledge and national perspective about solutions jurisdictions use to address system barriers. The project director also serves as a neutral facilitator who can engage stakeholders collaboratively.

Project Approach

Focus on system barriers

The project helps counties identify and eliminate system barriers to permanency.

County-driven, county-owned

ABA staff partner with local child welfare professionals, gaining buy-in to realize and maintain system changes.

3 project stages

ABA staff work with county partners to gather and interpret information, identify permanency barriers, and implement reforms.

Local Advisory Board

A local multidisciplinary advisory board is engaged at all project phases.

Collaborative approach to reform

The advisory board identifies delays and proposes reforms. Project staff design action plans and guide changes. All system players support reforms.

Project States & Results

Pennsylvania

2004 - Present: The Project has served 28 small, medium, and large counties. Children in project counties have saved an average of 9 months in foster care before finding permanent homes. Counties have saved a total of $8,410,840 - and counting - in foster care costs.

Kentucky

2004 - 2006: The Project worked in the KIPDA Rural Region. It saved an average of 9 months in foster care before children found permanent homes, and saved $237,600 in foster care costs.

Wyoming

2004 - 2006: The Project worked in Laramie and Natrona counties. It reduced the average time for children to find permanent homes by 9 months and saved $453,600 saved in foster care costs.

New York

1989 - 2004: The project began as Termination Barriers with funding from the New York State Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 1991, the original program ended and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services began to fund the project.

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Permanency Barriers Project

Highlights

Pennsylvania Permanency Project

$30 Million Saved in Foster Care Costs

ABA Role

Project Approach

Focus on system barriers

County-driven, county-owned

3 project stages

Local Advisory Board

Collaborative approach to reform

Project States & Results

Pennsylvania

Kentucky

Wyoming

New York

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect

Renew Your ABA Membership

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

Highlights

Pennsylvania Permanency Project

$30 Million Saved in Foster Care Costs

ABA Role

Project Overview

Project Approach

Focus on system barriers

County-driven, county-owned

3 project stages

Local Advisory Board

Collaborative approach to reform

Project States & Results

Pennsylvania

Kentucky

Wyoming

New York

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect