Permanent Guardianship
Permanent Guardianship
is for children who are not with their parents and need the security
of knowing where they will be and who will be responsible for them.
While foster care does provide safety and structure for many children,
its very nature implies lack of permanency. When the courts have
determined that a child cannot go home, permanent guardianship is
an option that can be used. Some children are placed with relatives
who are willing to raise the child, but who do not want to change
their legal relationship. Grandparents, aunts, or uncles may be
willing to keep the children, but for a variety of reasons do not
want to adopt. Some children have ties to an extended family that
they do not want disrupted. Permanent guardianship gives the family
legal authority to make plans and assures the children they will
be able to stay with that family. In 1999, the Kansas Legislature
established funding for permanent guardianship to assist families
willing to assume this responsibility. If parental rights have not
been terminated, the parents must be in agreement. |