Successful People's Assembly Focused on Permanency Planning Reviews (PPRs)
- Path to Permanency
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
In early November, over 50 dedicated community members gathered for Path to Permanency's latest People's Assembly. The evening focused on a crucial permanency tool of the NC state child welfare manual: Permanency Planning Reviews (PPRs).
While the NC manual requires these essential meetings to be held every 90 days and include all case members (biological families, foster parents, GALs, etc.), these meetings are often not occurring, contributing to delays in achieving timely permanency for children.
The assembly engaged in a productive session, generating ideas on how to elevate the conversation surrounding PPRs and hold the Department of Social Services (DSS) accountable for adherence to the state manual. This collective effort culminated in the formation of two critical Action Teams:
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TEAM
Focus: Accountability & Policy
Goal: Educate and activate the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on the vital importance of PPRs.
Strategy:
Strategize an impactful email campaign to all Commissioners.
Prepare to speak at an in-person BoCC meeting to present the issue publicly.
Formulate poignant asks, such as requesting a formal audit of PPRs currently occurring within active cases.
ADVOCACY & EDUCATION TEAM
Focus: Empowerment & Case Advocacy
Goal: Work directly with the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) office and partner organizations to empower case members to be included in PPRs.
Strategy:
Educate biological families, kinship parents, foster parents, and GALs on the purpose and mandate of PPRs.
Equip these stakeholders with the knowledge and confidence to advocate effectively for PPRs to be held on an consistent basis in their respective cases.
Join the Movement!
The momentum from this assembly is high, but we need more hands on deck to drive these initiatives forward!
If you are passionate about ensuring every child reaches timely permanency and want to see accountability in our child welfare system, we urge you to join an Action Team by emailing info@pathtopermanency.org
Also, keep up to date with the movement on our socials:
Together, we can ensure that Permanency Planning Reviews become the consistent, powerful tool for progress they are intended to be.
With hope,
Path to Permanency Core Team
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