Georgia's Child and Family Services Federal Review and Evaluation

Statewide Assessment, Narrative Responses: May 2001

Section IV: Narrative Assessment of Child and Family Outcomes

Subsection B: Permanency

Question 1:

Trends in Permanency Data. Have there been notable changes in the individual data elements in the two permanency data profiles in section III over the past 3 years in the State? Identify and discuss any factors affecting the changes noted and the effects on permanency for children in foster care in the State.

Georgia's Response:

Due to suspected system errors in 1998 data, the following changes can be identified by comparing the 1997, 1999 and 2000 permanency data profiles:

  • The most significant of all changes is the increase (5%) in the number of children for whom adoption is selected as the permanency plan. This outcome is not surprising given the changes in the law, beginning with the 1996 permanency reforms in state law, and subsequently, with the passage of the ASFA and its TPR mandate and compressed timeframes for achieving permanency.

  • The plan of adoption is being identified at an earlier point in time for children entering care. Both state and federal statutes allow a "bypass" to adoption when certain circumstances related to parental circumstances or conditions exist. The law supports judges in terminating parental rights earlier, rather than exhausting reunification efforts where the prognosis is poor.

  • Reunification as the permanency goal remained fairly constant, both for children entering care and those in care (point in time data). In 1999 and 1997, the percentages were nearly equal (85% and 86%, respectively). With reunification as the preferred permanency plan, this outcome was expected. However, as time went on, and a more realistic evaluation/prognosis for change was made, the goal of reunification declined to 63% and 64%, respectively.

  • The permanency option of "guardianship" is rarely selected for Georgia's children (less than 1%). In the last three years, data indicates that it has decreased from .5% to .2% (1999). A possible reason for this is that Georgia's guardianship statute is not as permanent as the federal definition of "legal guardianship." It can be threatened whenever a parent who has agreed to the guardianship, petitions for custody or when the guardian has the guardianship dissolved. Additionally, there is no per diem or subsidy available to support the family unit.

  • A desirable trend is a decrease in the selection of "long-term foster care" as a permanency plan. From 1997 to 1999, a downward trend from 11.5% to 6.8% was experienced. For children entering care for the first time, the percentage was extremely low (1.4%) and appropriately so. More recently, with the re-definition of permanency options and the Final Rule clarifications, there is better recognition that this goal is more of a "living arrangement," rather than a permanency goal. With added emphasis on documenting "compelling reasons" for selecting "another planned permanent living arrangement," a decline should continue as the trend.

  • As the foster care population ages, emancipation as "another planned permanency living arrangement" has become a viable option for over 5%. With the increased opportunities afforded youth to better prepare for a successful transition to adulthood, it is likely that the current trend, reflecting a moderate increase of 2%, will continue.

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Last Updated 10/10/2001