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 child that 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.