Which statement best describes the time horizon of permanency planning?

• A. Short-term only.
• B. Long-term with time-bound steps toward adoption or reunification.
• C. Indefinite with no milestones.
• D. Only for the duration of the current placement.

Answer: (B)

A permanency plan should look ahead to a permanent home for the child, not just the next placement. It involves a long-term goal—either reunification with the family or a permanent arrangement like adoption—and it lays out concrete, time-bound steps to reach that goal. Those milestones keep services coordinated, track progress, and push the case forward toward permanence within a defined timeline. Thinking of it as indefinite or only tied to the current placement misses the purpose of permanency planning, which is to secure a stable, lasting outcome. That’s why the best description is a long-term plan with time-bound steps toward adoption or reunification.