The National Convening on Youth Permanence is challenging the long–standing paradigm that youth in foster care are unlikely to develop strong family connections before reaching the age of majority. The National Convenings on Youth Permanence began in 2002 as a grassroots effort.

The California Permanency for Youth Project with support from the Stuart Foundation convened the first four sessions, raising the importance of family permanence, gathering compassionate and dedicated individuals interested in reforming policy, practice, and systems to advance the needs of these vulnerable adolescents.

In 2006, The Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services served as the National Convening host in Washington, D.C. It continued to promote the vital goal of family permanence for all youth in the country’s foster care system. The Convening focused on older children (ages 11 and 12) and youth (ages 13 to 18) in state care, a population that represents more than half of all youth in the child welfare system.

The 2008 National Convening on Youth Permanence generated an even greater impact with the addition of Casey Family Programs as an event co–host. As philanthropists and direct service providers, these organizations are committed to raising the power, possibility, and priority of permanence in an effort to change the lives of more than 20,000 youth who age out of the foster care system each year.

Event Co–Hosts
Family permanence is a key theme of both the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Casey Family Programs’ work with young people in foster care. The Annie E. Casey Foundation has been directly addressing this critical issue for youth through the activities of its direct service agency, Casey Family Services, and its Family to Family sites. Lifelong families for youth also are central to the efforts of Casey Family Programs, which co–funds the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Both organizations are dedicated to reforming systems and offering quality technical assistance across the country.

Learn more at
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Casey Family Services
Casey Family Programs