Last summer Benchmarks began facilitating a project to address the overwhelming challenges facing the child welfare serving system in North Carolina. When Vaya Health, a Medicaid managed care organization in North Carolina, approached Benchmarks about managing the project they recognized negative impacts on youth in foster care from the longstanding misalignment between the child welfare and the behavioral healthcare system. We began by hearing from stakeholders about how to best meet the needs of child welfare-involved youth and their families as well as identifying strategies to layer supports in foster homes to support both the child and family.
Once the needs analysis phase of the project was complete, the next step was to develop a name and vision. The project name “Pathways to Permanency” was chosen because we recognize that every child does not have the same pathway to permanency, but every child does deserve to have their needs met along their unique journey.
Stakeholders created a vision statement that inspires, motivates, and aligns the direction of this important work. The vision statement draws all of us out of our comfort zone and challenges stakeholders to think beyond our own agency boundaries. We are confident that when we put our differences aside and focus on this common vision, we can stop dreaming about a system that works together and confidently fulfill our vision to improve our child welfare system.
Pathways to Permanency Vision Statement
“Every child has the right to a permanent family and while on that permanency journey, resources to meet their safety & well-being needs are critical and must be met.”
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