Conceptualizations of Permanency in an Online Foster Care Community

Abstract

Permanency generally refers to long-lasting family connections and support for youth. Historically, the U.S. child welfare system has focused primarily on legal permanency. Relational and cultural permanency has recently gained some attention while being largely left out of federal policy. This study provides a statistical analysis of permanency-related terms in posts from an online community of people with lived experience in foster care. The results indicate that people with lived experience discussed topics of legal, relational, and cultural permanency more frequently than people who have not spent time in foster care, with a focus on aging out, religion, holidays, friends, loneliness, and community. People with lived experience also discussed permanency-related topics in help-seeking ways. Implications include the need to broaden the understanding of permanency through recommendations for policy and practice.