Recently, the District of Columbia held the Youth Permanency Convening.  Sponsored by the Child and Family Services Agency, Freddie Mac, Kidsave and Casey Family Services, the convening served as the beginning of what must become an ongoing dialog regarding the achievement of successful youth permanency. Around the country we have seen a significant increase in the numbers of older youth who are coming into the foster care system. Further, not only are children coming into care at older ages, they are remaining in care longer with many aging out of the foster care system. Many child welfare agencies are beginning to redefine permanency and are exploring non-traditional ways of achieving permanency for youth within the foster care system.

This convening was a wonderful first step in what must be a continued emphasis on permanency for youth in the District of Columbia foster care system. What I found especially powerful during the convening was the involvement of current and previous DC foster care youth in this important conversation. Their insight and experience was not only invaluable but incredibly enlightening. In one of the breakout sessions I attended, There is No Price Tag on Achieving Permanency, a youth, currently attending nursing school, tearfully expressed how the lack of family support impacted her life. However, she spoke about her mentor who had been a constant in her life for a number of years. She stated that her mentor, although not biological family, played a significant role in providing her with the support and encouragement that she lacked from her biological family. 

Achieving permanency, whether it is in a tradition or non-tradition way, is imperative for youth within the foster care system.  I was blessed with a wonderfully supportive family and I could not imagine my life without their support. There must be a long-term commitment in this city to ensure that every youth in the foster care system have access to a network of positive and lasting support.