PERMANENCY PLANNING OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN IN FORMAL KINSHIP CARE

This article describes efforts under way in Illinois to improve perman ency outcomes for children in formal kinship care. Between June 1986 a nd June 1995, the number of children in the state's home-of-relative p rogram increased sevenfold. Administrative and judicial changes in the 1990s contributed to a permanency planning crisis, as reflected in de clining discharge rates. The Illinois Department of Children and Famil y Services (IDCFS) developed a special permanency planning status-Dele gated Relative Authority (DRA)-for children in secure and stable famil y foster care with relatives. This article presents findings from 1,11 6 assessments of children in formal kinship care that tested the feasi bility of the DRA option.