↗️ Momentum Is Building for Permanency in Mecklenburg
- Path to Permanency
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Tuesday night was a turning point.
63 of you showed up—filling the room beyond capacity. One usher quietly told us he wouldn’t turn anyone away because he had been a foster child himself.
That moment alone captured what this movement is about:
People who understand stepping forward to make sure today’s children are seen.
We were especially encouraged that three key leaders from Youth & Family Services (YFS) attended and made encouraging remarks to the core team. That kind of engagement matters—and it signals momentum (Ms. Rountree, Ms. Ragsdale, & Mr. Brailsford)
Our program opened with a 9 year old’s voice that grounded everything:
“I came here today to speak on behalf of kids in foster care in Mecklenburg County. When you make decisions that impact them, I hope you will think about me.”
County Commissioner and Board Chair, Mark Jarrell responded audibly, “I will.”
And people weren’t just present—they were deeply engaged. As former foster youth Colby Blackmon Knight shared afterward:
“I was struck by how much the room was paying attention—people weren’t just listening, they cared. That kind of support stays with you, and it makes me hopeful that real change isn’t far off.”
What's Next
We’re seeing real progress.
In response to our continued advocacy, YFS has appointed Permanency Planning Team Leads to track, monitor and facilitate PPRs—a critical step toward ensuring children are not left waiting in the system without direction or accountability.
YFS has also initiated a new policy to clearly delineate between Child & Family Team (CFT) meetings and PPRs. This will ensure that the correct participants are invited and that the permanency planning for the child is not lost amongst the other important topics in CFTs. (See below for the full policy).
To ensure this leads to real outcomes, we have formally requested quarterly meetings between Path to Permanency, YFS, and County Commissioners to review implementation and track results. This is how we turn policy into practice.
The Momentum Is Growing!
• 100 foster parents and GALs are already registered for our third webinar on PPRs
• Community awareness is expanding across media and leadership circles
• And most importantly—children’s stories are being heard
Watch & Share
If you missed the night—or want to revisit it—watch and share:
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because you showed up, spoke out, and refused to let kids lingering in foster care staying invisible.
Commissioner Laura Meier texted:
“You guys were so good last night! You came across as a group who wants to help progress. The signs were perfect–so clever and informative and effective in such a simple way. Your speeches were also informative and inspiring. I truly don’t think I could give you any advice on improving anything.”
We’re building something real—and Tuesday proved it.
Mecklenburg CFT / PPR Process
Below is the new process that has been shared by YFS leadership regarding PPRs & CFTs.
PPR meeting will be tracked, monitored and facilitated by the Team Leads:
Scheduling the CFT/PPR Meeting
The Permanency Planning (PP) Team Leads will contact parents to explain the purpose of both the PPR and CFT meetings. They will inform parents that they may choose to hold the meetings either separately or as a combined meeting. Based on the parent’s preference, the Team Lead will then coordinate with the assigned Social Worker to confirm the meeting format, schedule, and time.
Joint CFT/PPR meetings
The Team Lead will begin the meeting with a standardized introduction, using a script to clearly explain the purpose of both the PPR and CFT meetings. They will confirm that all parties are aware of the joint meeting and inform participants that the Family Services Agreement (FSA) and PPR forms will be reviewed and signed during the session. The Team Lead will facilitate the meeting, with the assigned social worker present and the meeting will be documented as both a CFT and PPR.
CFT held separately following the PPR
The Team Lead will begin the meeting with a standardized introduction, using a script to clearly explain the purpose of the PPR. They will inform participants that the PPR will be conducted first with all attendees present. Documentation will be provided at the conclusion of the meeting.
After the PPR concludes, the assigned Social Worker and/or CFT facilitator will conduct the CFT with parents, their identified support and other required team members.
Note: Path to Permanency has requested further clarification on the 3rd party representative not responsible for the case and have asked for the script that explains the purpose of the combined CFT/PPR or the standalone PPR. We will update you when we receive a response.
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