What is a “permanency hearing?
Read Kansas law 38-2264. A permanency hearing is a proceeding held to determine progress toward the accomplishment of a permanency plan. A permanency hearing shall be held within 12 months of the date the child entered out of home placement and less frequently than every 12 months thereafter. If the court determines at any time that reintegration may not be a viable alternative for the child, a permanency hearing shall be held no later than 30 days following that determination. At this proceeding the court (or citizen review board) will determine whether and, if applicable, when the child will be: (1) Reintegrated with the child’s parents (2) Placed for adoption; (3) Placed with a permanent custodian; or (4) If the secretary has document compelling reasons why it would not be in the child’s best interests for a placement in one of the placements pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) placed in another planned arrangement. At this proceeding the court will enter a finding as to whether
Federal and state laws require Social Services to find a safe, appropriate and permanent home for any child placed into foster care. A Permanency Hearing must be held within 12 months after a child is placed into protective custody. At this hearing, the court orders a permanent plan for your child. The permanent plan depends on the facts of each case. A permanent plan is one of the following: – Reunification with the parent or guardian; – Adoption; – Permanent guardianship; or – Permanent custody of the child with a fit and willing relative. Sometimes the judge will order a concurrent plan. Concurrent means that two permanent plans are worked on at the same time. You must show significant progress on your case plan prior to the permanency hearing or the judge may choose a different permanent plan for your child such as guardianship or adoption.
