Permanency Is a Team Sport

by Fawn Davies, Communications Director

At the 2026 SWAN/IL Spring Quarterly Meetings, professionals from across Pennsylvania’s child welfare and independent living networks gathered to be reminded, encouraged and called to action around the concept that permanency is not achieved alone. The morning general session presentation, “Permanency is a Team Sport,” highlighted how collaboration, trust, and shared purpose are essential to helping youth in foster care build lasting connections and lifelong support systems.

Using the example of championship-level teamwork in professional sports, SWAN technical assistants challenged the audience to think about what makes teams successful. Participants reflected on qualities such as shared goals, clear communication, accountability, diversity of thought, and psychological safety. One message resonated throughout the session: teams need to want to be teams.

The presentation emphasized that effective teamwork directly impacts outcomes in child welfare settings. Collaboration improves permanency planning, enhances problem-solving, reduces burnout, and creates stronger support systems for both youth and professionals. Presenters noted that no one worker or agency has all the answers. Instead, permanency work succeeds when agencies, independent living providers, legal advocates, foster and adoptive families, and youth themselves work together toward common goals.

SWAN’s mission and values were central to the discussion. The network’s collaborative structure was intentionally designed to support permanency for all youth, regardless of race, geography, identity, or level of need. Presenters reviewed the hierarchy of permanency goals (reunification, adoption, permanent legal custodianship, fit and willing relative placement, and planned permanent living arrangements) while reinforcing that every youth deserves lifelong connections and support.

A major takeaway from the session was the evolving definition of permanency. Permanency is not viewed solely as a legal outcome or placement. Instead, it is understood as the establishment of meaningful, enduring relationships with supportive adults who remain involved in a young person’s life through adulthood. Presenters explored the many forms these connections can take, including familial, emotional, relational, and collective, and emphasized that permanency includes the “web of connections” that helps youth feel supported, valued, and cared for throughout life.

The session also showcased real-world examples of successful collaboration. One moving example focused on “J,” a young woman who spent eight years in care before being adopted at age 20. Her journey illustrated how consistent teamwork among permanency workers, independent living staff, and supportive adults helped sustain hope through setbacks and challenges. By building trust, maintaining communication, and supporting both her family dreams and independent living goals, the team ultimately helped J achieve permanency.

The presentation closed with a reminder that permanency work is strongest when people combine their strengths in service of youth. As one quote shared during the session stated, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.