Permanency

The establishment of an identified adult or family who has made a commitment to care for and to support a child up to and beyond the age of majority.  Permanency options as defined by ASFA in hierarchical order are as follows:  (1) return to the parent, (2) place for adoption, (3) placement with a permanent legal custodian, (4) placement with a fit and willing relative or (5) another planned permanent living arrangement (APPLA).  (APPLA may be used only when no other arrangement can be made for the child and all other permanency options have been ruled out.  Documentation in the case record must fully support this decision.  There may be rare instances when this may be the only alternative for a teenager.  It is unlikely to be justified as an alternative for a young child.)