All children need stable long-term relationships and security to develop into well-adjusted healthy adults. In those unfortunate circumstances when children have to be removed from their guardian's care, this need escalates.

'Permanency Planning' is the terminology used to describe the process of securing long
term homes for children whose parent's guardianship rights have been terminated. Unique to North Central Alberta CFSA is a specialized permanency-planning unit, which focuses on supporting the permanent plan for every child that comes into the care of Children and Youth Services.

Permanency means that children will no longer be in the care of Children and Youth Services and will have parents who have committed to them. It means that these parents will have sole decision making and responsibility for the child as a natural parent would. This is a commitment well beyond the limitations of childhood and extends through the child's lifespan and into adulthood.