Since 1999, courts across California have marked Court Adoption and Permanency Month with festive decorations, family-centered activities, and special adoption hearings that celebrate children finding permanent homes. This year is no exception.
But this year, the council is also emphasizing the role of legal guardianship in achieving permanency for children and youth in foster care. Permanency is a child’s exit from foster care and safe return to the family home (reunification), adoption, or legal guardianship.
Court Adoption and Permanency Month Resolution Highlights Guardianships
On behalf of the council, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero signed a resolution declaring November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month, officially launching this year’s celebration. Presented at the Oct. 16 Judicial Council meeting by Judge Ana España on behalf of the council’s Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee, the resolution and accompanying council report specifically highlight guardianship as a pathway to a safe, stable, and permanent home when reunification with parents is not possible.
“Guardianship allows a relative or trusted adult to provide a child with a safe, stable, nurturing home while preserving important family relationships, cultural connections, and the sense of identity that are so important to their emotional well-being,” said Judge Stephanie Hulsey, co-chair of the council’s Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee. “Guardianship recognizes that families are formed in different ways and that permanency can take different forms. Most importantly, it gives children someone committed to their well-being who will guide and support them as they grow.”
How Guardianship Promotes Permanency
Guardianship is playing an increasingly important role in helping children achieve permanency more quickly. The median length of foster care stays for children who exited to guardianship decreased from 720 days in 2019 to 357 days in 2024.
In 2025, approximately 10% of the children and youth who exited foster care achieved permanency through guardianship. Nearly half of those guardianships were Kin-GAP guardianships, indicating placement with a relative.
Research shows positive outcomes for children placed with relatives. Children in kinship care experience fewer behavioral health challenges, fewer placement disruptions, and require fewer mental health services than children in nonrelative placements. These children are also less likely to reenter foster care within 12 months. Additionally, 70% of children placed with relatives remain with their entire sibling group.
Children whose first placement is with relatives or extended family members are three times more likely to remain in that first placement after 12 months and are more than four times less likely to experience four or more placements.
These results reflect broader progress in California's child welfare system. The number of children and youth in supervised out-of-home care has continued to decline, from approximately 54,000 children on April 1, 2021, to approximately 37,000 on April 1, 2026—a 31% reduction.
This Year’s Local Court Adoption Events
In addition to the council’s recognition of Court Adoption and Permanency Month, California courts are partnering with county social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to host their own celebratory adoption and permanency events throughout November:
Judicial Council's Ongoing Support for Adoption and Permanency for California’s Youth
The council first declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month in California in 1999. Since that first observance, the council has demonstrated its commitment to support the juvenile courts and their local justice partners by promoting procedures and collaborative practices that lead to timely case resolution and permanency for children and youth in foster care. Permanency is a child’s exit from foster care and safe return to the family home (reunification), adoption, or legal guardianship.
