Copyright 2007 American Bar Association ABA Permanency Barriers Project Anne Marie Lancour Heidi Redlich Epstein Mimi Laver Brenda Shum Andrea Khoury Debra Jenkins David Kelly Kathleen McNaught Honorable Stephen Rideout (ret.) Kristin Kelly American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association History of the Project 1989 – Termination Barriers Project began with funding from the New York State Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Termination Barriers Project began with funding from the New York State Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1991— NYS Office of Children and Family Services continued to fund the Termination Barriers Project for the next 13 years. 1991— NYS Office of Children and Family Services continued to fund the Termination Barriers Project for the next 13 years – The project was successfully completed in 20 small, medium, and large counties throughout NYS – The project was successfully completed in 20 small, medium, and large counties throughout NYS – Pennsylvania contracts with ABA for largest Permanency Barriers Project to date – Pennsylvania contracts with ABA for largest Permanency Barriers Project to date – KY and WY contracts with the ABA for the Permanency Barriers Project 2004 – KY and WY contracts with the ABA for the Permanency Barriers Project 2005 – ABA wins Adoption Excellence Award for work on the NY Permanency Barriers Project 2005 – ABA wins Adoption Excellence Award for work on the NY Permanency Barriers Project

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Goal: Reduce children’s stay in foster care Approach Approach Locally developed action plans Locally developed action plans Small steps that add up Small steps that add up Permanency planning focus Permanency planning focus Key Components Key Components Permanency Planning Specialist Permanency Planning Specialist Advisory Board Advisory Board ABA Project Director ABA Project Director

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Project Tasks The project undertakes five major tasks: 1.Identifying and analyzing delays; 2.Interactively developing recommendations and implementing reforms; 3.Establishing written protocols, procedures, and providing multidisciplinary training; 4.Monitoring reforms and changes; and 5.Sharing project results throughout the state.

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Reform Efforts Early identification of children’s needs Early identification of children’s needs Refining court procedures in permanency planning areas Refining court procedures in permanency planning areas Legal analysis and technical assistance Legal analysis and technical assistance Training the child welfare agency and legal staff Training the child welfare agency and legal staff Sharing information with other counties and states Sharing information with other counties and states

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Problems Causing Delays Missing or unidentified parents Missing or unidentified parents Relatives entering case late Relatives entering case late Increase in adolescent population Increase in adolescent population Lack of training on permanency planning issues Lack of training on permanency planning issues Lack of written procedures Lack of written procedures Late starts in offering services Late starts in offering services Inadequate concurrent planning Inadequate concurrent planning Difficulty in obtaining evaluations and/or expert testimony Difficulty in obtaining evaluations and/or expert testimony Delays in court procedures Delays in court procedures

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association New York Results Average Time Saved in 20 Counties 15 months Total Money Saved $15,272,000

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Pennsylvania Results Pennsylvania Results Pennsylvania Results Average Time Saved in 8 Counties 9 months Total Money Saved $3,252,000

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Kentucky and Wyoming Results Kentucky Results for KIPDA Rural Region Kentucky Results for KIPDA Rural Region Avg. Time Saved: Avg. Time Saved: 9 months Foster Care Costs Savings: Foster Care Costs Savings:$237,600 Wyoming Results for Natrona County Avg. Time Saved: 9 months Foster Care Costs Savings: $453,606

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Total Permanency Project Savings Average Time Saved: 10.5 months Total Money Saved $19,215,206

Copyright 2007 American Bar Association Questions/Contact Information Anne Marie Lancour ABA Center on Children and the Law th Street, NW Washington, DC (202) (phone) (202) (fax)