Permanency, Safety, and Wellbeing

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 better defined to child welfare agencies the first three goals of child protective services as 1) permanency, 2) safety, and 3) wellbeing. These goals serve as indicators as part of the Federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) to better measure the outcomes of children involved in the child welfare system. The Administration of Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) requires states to consider the following outcomes within these indicators.


The ACYF has, in recent years, considered child well being to be best defined in four key domains: 1) cognitive functioning, 2) physical health and development, 3) emotional/behavioral function, and 4) social function in its 2012 Memorandum: Promoting Social and Emotional Well-Being for Children and Youth (wellbeing indicators located in Appendix 1)

Permanency Outcomes

Children have permanency and stability in their living arrangements.
The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children.

Safety Outcomes

Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect.
Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate.

Child and Family Well-Being Outcomes

Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs.
Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs.
Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs.