The enactment of this legislation has reinforced reform activities occurring across the country. We hope these Guidelines will be used to examine State and local processes and generate discussions about current and future directions. The release of the Guidelines creates an opportunity to convene key stakeholders to discuss better approaches to achieve permanency through reunification, adoption, and other permanency arrangements. While we have made progress in achieving the goals that we have for children and families, there is much to be done. No single tool or strategy will get us there.
Agencies continue to struggle with policy, capacity, staffing and caseload issues.
This document will not resolve these problems, but will highlight the relationship between policy and these critical implementation issues. We hope it can also move us closer to solutions. Sincerely, Carol W. Williams, D.S.W. Associate Commissioner Children's Bureau Administration on Children, Youth and Families Please send all comments and questions on this subject to CB Comments .