Achieving Permanency for Children in Foster Care
The current COVID-19 crisis has taught us two important lessons about the child welfare system. First, it has exacerbated weak points in our systems of care and showed us areas needing improvement, including the need to streamline services for children and families. Second, it has shown how child welfare agencies, courts, and community partners can creatively adapt to rise and meet the challenges from this pandemic
The current COVID-19 crisis has taught us two important lessons about the child welfare system. First, it has exacerbated weak points in our systems of care and showed us areas needing improvement, including the need to streamline services for children and families. Second, it has shown how child welfare agencies, courts, and community partners can creatively adapt to rise and meet the challenges from this pandemic. While COVID-19 may be forcing processes to happen a little differently—for example, holding court hearings virtually—across the country people are stepping up to continue moving forward the permanency processes for children in foster care.
Take the story of the Fields family in Kentucky, for example. Andy and Kayla Fields started the adoption process for three siblings in their care last year, and when the pandemic hit, they were certain it would be delayed until it was over. They were surprised and delighted to find out they could still finalize their adoptions from home via a Zoom call with the judge. While the kids were already considered family, they are all celebrating that it has finally been made official.
In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office announced they were working to quickly move children in foster care to permanency in the midst of COVID-19. In this instance, they have been looking at approximately 200 cases where children are close to being able to return home to their parents. This rapid permanency process utilizes a team approach to these reunifications, mobilizing caseworkers, judges, and lawyers to work together to analyze cases and determine the necessary supports and services for the families. They use virtual court hearings and try, when possible, to resolve issues without hearings to reduce delays and keep the permanency process moving.
Take the story of the Fields family in Kentucky, for example. Andy and Kayla Fields started the adoption process for three siblings in their care last year, and when the pandemic hit, they were certain it would be delayed until it was over. They were surprised and delighted to find out they could still finalize their adoptions from home via a Zoom call with the judge. While the kids were already considered family, they are all celebrating that it has finally been made official.
In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office announced they were working to quickly move children in foster care to permanency in the midst of COVID-19. In this instance, they have been looking at approximately 200 cases where children are close to being able to return home to their parents. This rapid permanency process utilizes a team approach to these reunifications, mobilizing caseworkers, judges, and lawyers to work together to analyze cases and determine the necessary supports and services for the families. They use virtual court hearings and try, when possible, to resolve issues without hearings to reduce delays and keep the permanency process moving.