The Permanency Support Services Program serves families of children and youth that have been in care, and are in transition to a permanent placement, in the communities of the East and West Kootenays. Families are referred by MCFD guardianship, resource and adoption social workers within the region.

Referals are screened by the Program Director, in cooperation with the Ministry, and prioritised based on the criteria below:

• CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE LIVING IN AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY OR AN ALTERNATIVE OUT-OF- CARE FAMILY PLACEMENT.
• THE PARENTS/CAREGIVERS/FAMILIES NEED TO BE WILLING TO ENGAGE IN AND COMMIT TO A SUPPORTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION PROCESS.
• THE YOUTH MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIOURAL, AND ATTACHMENT AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES.
• THE URGENCY OF THE REFERRAL AND CRITICAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD OR FAMILY (WHICH MUST BE RESPONDED TO AS A PRIORITY FOR SERVICE, AND SUCH RESPONSE WILL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CLIENT’S FILE).
• THE PRESENTING ISSUES, STRENGTHS, NEEDS, ABILITIES AND PREFERENCES OF THE CHILD, YOUTH AND/OR FAMILY.
• THE AVAILABILITY OF STAFF CASELOAD CAPACITY TO ENGAGE WITH A NEW REFERRAL.

This program is provided across the East and West Kootenays, through a combination of in-home and on-line outreach services.

After receiving a referral, we contact the youth (and family, as applicable) to discuss the program, and answer the youth and/or family’s questions. The results of this screening process could be to develop an admission plan, or to identify a plan for youth and/or parents for referral to alternate services.