Supporting Permanency, Stability, and Connection

The primary goal of foster care is permanency—helping children achieve safe, stable, and lasting connections with caring adults. For many children, this means working toward reunification with their birth family when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Foster care provides stability and support during this process, while families work toward long-term plans guided by the local Department of Social Services (LDSS).

Foster parents play an important role by offering daily care, consistency, and encouragement while permanency planning is underway. At the center of every decision is the child. This ensures they feel supported, valued, and surrounded by adults who are invested in their well-being.

Permanency Is the Goal

Permanency means more than a placement—it means belonging. Foster care supports children in maintaining and strengthening safe, meaningful connections while long-term plans are made.

For many children, permanency includes reunification with their birth family. When reunification is not possible, permanency may be achieved through relatives, fictive kin, or adoption—always guided by what is safest and best for the child.

Every step is centered on helping a child feel secure, supported, and connected.

Partnering With Birth Families

Reunification is a key goal of foster care, and foster families are asked to support this process in ways identified as appropriate by LDSS. This collaboration may look different for each child and family and can include:

  • Transporting a child to family visits
  • Supporting phone or video calls with parents
  • Sharing updates such as report cards, school achievements, or activities the child is excited about
  • Encouraging healthy communication and connection

Fostering is not a competition—it is a shared effort focused on the child’s success. Foster parents often help model parenting skills, routines, and structure, supporting birth families as they work toward reunification. In many ways, this becomes a form of co-parenting, guided by professionals and centered on the child’s needs.

Children do best when the adults in their lives are aligned, supportive, and focused on their well-being.

Building Positive Connections

When LDSS approves and supports collaboration, some foster families and birth families participate together in community-based activities—such as attending a school concert, meeting at a park, or joining shared events. Through these shared experiences, children see the adults in their lives working together, which helps them feel supported and secure.

As a result, many foster parents say this collaborative approach reduces fear, builds understanding, and keeps the focus where it belongs—on helping the child feel safe, loved, and encouraged.

When Reunification Is Not Possible

In some cases, reunification with a child’s birth family cannot safely occur. When that happens, the goal of foster care shifts to helping the child achieve permanency in another way. Permanency is defined as having a lasting sense of belonging—a place where a child feels connected, supported, and secure.

This may include placement with relatives or fictive kin whenever possible. Adoption may be considered only after all family members and significant connections have been fully explored and ruled out, in accordance with child welfare policy and best practice.

A Child-Centered Approach

Foster care works best when children are surrounded by adults who cheer them on—not compete for them. As many foster parents say, “You’re not only helping a child—you’re helping a family.” Along the way, foster families often find that new relationships, shared experiences, and a deeper sense of purpose enrich their lives.

At Impact Living Services, we believe foster care is about partnership, compassion, and connection—always keeping the child at the center.

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