Permanence Versus Placement: What it Means and Why it Matters to Young People

For youth in foster care, the terms “permanence” and “placement” carry profound significance. While they might seem similar, they represent very different experiences and outcomes. Understanding the distinction between the two is crucial for appreciating the unique challenges and hopes of foster youth. 

In the foster care system, placement refers to the act of assigning a youth to a foster home, group home, or other temporary living arrangement. Placements can change frequently, sometimes with little notice, leading to instability and uncertainty for the youth involved. Each new placement requires adjusting to new environments, caregivers, and expectations, which can be incredibly stressful and disruptive.

“I’ve never been inside of like adoptive or foster home [placements]. All of my placements were placements, like, I went from detention centers to group homes to [mental health] treatment facilities. . . independent livings. I’ve never been, like, placed inside of a home.”

– Trinity Mathews, age 23, 8 years in New York’s foster care system 

Permanence, on the other hand, goes beyond the physical act of placing a youth in a home. It can embody a sense of stability, belonging, and long-term commitment. Permanency means something uniquely different for each and every young person in foster care. For many foster youth, however, achieving permanence could look like finding a place where they feel safe, valued, and loved—a place they can call home, not just temporarily, but for life.

“From a personal perspective, I find that permanency is not materialistic, but rather purely emotional. For myself, I believe that permanency is feeling welcome and restored.”

– Evelin Ramirez, age 25, 3 years in Montana foster care system

Frequent placements can take a significant emotional toll on foster youth. The constant upheaval can exacerbate feelings of insecurity and mistrust. Youth often report that each move feels like a reminder of their lack of control over their own lives, reinforcing feelings of rejection and abandonment.

“As a child I always knew my life was different and I would just question all the time, like, I would see parents together with their children and I would always wonder why my family doesn’t look like this. Like, why can’t I have this? What did I do wrong?”

-Lily Ford, age 19, 4 years in Rhode Island foster care system

When foster youth talk about permanence, they speak of the longing for a stable, supportive environment where they can build lasting relationships. Permanence is about more than just a roof over their heads; it’s about having consistent, reliable people in their lives and a place where they can form an identity and plan for the future.

“For a long time I felt like a mistake and unworthy of love. I could feel that [my foster parents] wanted to give me more love than I was ready for, but living with them was the first time I felt needed and wanted. I felt valued as an individual. They let me talk to them when I needed them. They hugged me when I wanted it. They made me feel safe and heard. I have never met two people so dedicated to love. They adopted me after two and a half years together.”

– Shelli Guyer, age 24, 2 years in Idaho foster care system

Despite the clear benefits of permanence, many foster youth face significant barriers in achieving it. These can include systemic issues within the foster care system, a lack of suitable permanent homes, and the youth’s own unresolved trauma and grief. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved in the foster care system.

Support systems, including mental health services, educational support, and peer support and mentorship programs, play a critical role in helping foster youth transition from placement to permanence. These resources can provide the stability and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of the foster care system and build a foundation for a successful future. Something which can’t be forgotten here, however, is the role of the young person in having access to determining what permanency looks like for them.

“Youth should be informed on all options that are available. Look to the youth as resources to build their own permanency. The court’s role is to provide tools for the young person to be successful in securing permanency.”

– David Hall, age 28, Experience in the Oklahoma foster care system

The distinction between placement and permanence is not just semantic—it reflects the lived experiences of foster youth and their quest for stability and belonging. By prioritizing permanence and understanding its significance and including young people at the table of permanency discussions, we can better support foster youth in their journey toward finding a true home.