What is a permanency option in child welfare?

A permanency option in child welfare is a legally permanent solution for a child who cannot safely return to their biological parents. This option provides the child with a stable and secure placement for the remainder of their childhood. The other options mentioned all have elements of temporary or extended care, but do not offer the same level of permanency as adoption. Extended foster care allows for a child to remain in the foster care system until they are 21 years old, but does not establish a permanent legal relationship with a family. Temporary guardianship is a short-term solution and does not necessarily lead to any kind of permanency for the child. Foster to adopt is a type of adoption where a child initially enters a foster home and then is formally adopted by that family, but it does not guarantee permanency as the family may choose not to adopt the child. Adoption is the only option that provides permanent and legally binding placement