About Path to Permanency
Our Vision
Our mission is for Mecklenburg County to be the leader in North Carolina for timely permanency for children in foster care by meeting the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) standards (12 months to reunification, 18 months to guardianship, and 24 months to adoption).
Our Mission
We plan to achieve this vision by:
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addressing accountability with regard to case timelines and communication
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enhancing and coordinating resources from public and private partner organizations
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improving continuity of case progress
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educating the general public on the state of foster care by elevating the voices of those with lived experience within the system.
Our Focus Areas
1
Accountability
Lack of clear accountability for following legal timelines and expectation as well as providing all parties with clear communication to follow the timeline and expectations.
2
Revolving Door
Challenges with continuity of case plan and case progress as team members (social worker, GAL, judge, foster parent, etc) change causing cases to repeatedly lose momentum.
3
Mental Health
Limited mental health services, no local residential treatment facilities and ambiguity around a child's specific needs leads to inadequate and unstable placements
Our Founding Story
Path to Permanency (P2P) was founded in 2025 by five Mecklenburg County residents connected by a shared experience: watching foster care cases linger while children and families waited for clarity, stability, and a permanent path forward.
Each founder had witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children and youth, biological parents, kinship and foster families, Guardian ad Litem volunteers, social workers, and other child welfare professionals. They also recognized the power of bringing those voices together.
From that shared vision, Path to Permanency became a community-organizing hub where people with lived and professional experience could be heard, build relationships, and work together toward systemic improvements and meaningful change.
Today, P2P has grown to more than 300 active members. As the organization continues to expand, it remains rooted in the mission that inspired its founders: shortening journeys through foster care and strengthening the families who love these children.
Path to Permanency's first assembly. From left to right: Lydia Alexander, Elyse Rojas, Josclyn Reed, Sarah Thornton, Shelbi Fowler, Charlene Nelson (Community Organizing Coach)
Our Team
The leaders carrying the founding vision forward and building P2P’s capacity, partnerships, and impact.
Each of these members have helped transform an emerging idea into a strong organizational foundation. Their insight, dedication, and early leadership continue to shape P2P’s work today.
Josclyn Reed
Executive Director
Laura Wallace
Partnership Coordinator
Lydia Alexander
Operations Manager
Colby Blackmon Knight
Youth Advisor
Elyse Rojas-Chavez
Finance Director
