Partnerships for Permanence
Now with over 10 years of collective program experience in youth-adult partnerships
Our Mission
Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) is a nonprofit organization that bridges opportunity gaps for young people entering adulthood from the child welfare system. We are a community of professionals and youth with lived experience in foster care and adoption creating systems change through support services, advocacy, and personal development training.
Our Vision
P4P’s vision is focused on filling opportunity gaps that exist for former foster youth/adults and adoptees and developing the next generation of young leaders who will transform the child welfare system.
How do we do that?
By employing former foster and adoptive young leaders;
By partnering adults with young people in our work;
By facilitating child welfare trainings for youth, professionals, and families; and
By teaching child welfare professionals how to better advocate for young people through skills-building workshops.
OUR VALUES
It is because of our team - because of their differing perspectives and life experiences - that P4P is as unique as it is today. We value every member of our team and our values are grounded in:
Partnership - our team breaks down walls using the youth-adult partnership model, in which both sides acknowledge each other’s expertise;
Authenticity - our team speaks from their own personal experience in the child welfare system, and afterward;
Resiliency - our team is comprised of youth and adults who are high achievers in their personal and professional lives, despite stereotypes that predict the opposite;
Time-experienced - our team has had time to reflect on their collective experiences in child welfare; to assess what system improvements would have had a positive impact on their childhood; and are knowledgeable about what types of support are needed to help current foster children and adoptees within the child welfare system;
Team Work - our team is filled with former foster and adoptive youth and adults - the kind of people who are necessary to see our mission through;
Enthusiasm - our team is comprised of passionate and motivated youth and adults willing to push the boundaries of progress in the child welfare system;
Reliability - our team is always there when we need them. And we are always there when they need us.
OUR BELIEFS
Partnerships for Permanence is more than just a unified mission. Our diverse team of former foster youth/adults and adoptees have a variety of beliefs. Here are some core beliefs that we share:
That children and youth who have experienced foster care and adoption should not be stigmatized;
That children going through foster care and adoption can grow up into adults who achieve self-actualization, and who lead lives abounding in positivity, peace, and prosperity;
That young people leaving foster care need additional support, and that a network of other foster care alumni who are high achievers is one of the best factors to ensuring a stable transition to permanency; and
That young people are experts within the child welfare system, and that they gain power over their lives by using their stories as tools for healing and advocacy.
You can learn more about how to get involved in our organization by clicking the buttons below:
WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT?
“As a professional in the child welfare system for over 20 years, I have seen so many young people transition into adulthood from the foster care system with very few adult partners. After you age out of the system, you’re on your own unless you’ve formed your own family.” - Lola D. Adebara, Founder and CEO of Partnerships for Permanence
Our founder’s goal in starting Partnerships for Permanence was to shift the approach from using the stories of these youth as a tool, to putting those [now] young leaders at the decision-making table to help transform the child welfare system. She also wanted to build in a system of support for young people aging out of the foster care system, so they would feel supported in their next steps of transitioning into adulthood.
WHAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT?
1-in-5 of youths aged out of the foster care system are homeless.
Only 58 percent graduated high school by 19 (compared with 87 percent of all 19-year olds).
1 in 4 ex-foster care youths are involved in the criminal justice system within 2 years of leaving care.
WHAT DRIVES US?
Filling opportunity gaps for young people who have aged out of the foster care system and have lots of potential, but few opportunities. We believe in investing in the next generation of young leaders who will transform the child welfare system.
“I believe in P4P’s work, we’ve taught a lot of people how to breach the gap of foster youth and professionals. Kids don’t feel heard or understood in the system by professionals and families. At P4P, we have been able to explain to all parties involved in the system how things can be better, how to make it work, and what needs to change.” - Chris, P4P Member
HOW DO WE CREATE CHANGE?
Our approach to creating change happens in three unique ways:
1) Our Leaders Changing the System (LCS) program
We teach aspiring youth leaders life and leadership skills, identity formation, communication skills, plus provide resources to career and educational opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship to support our youth’s successful transition into adulthood.
2) Our Foster Alumni and Adoptee Support Network
We provide an online support network for foster and adoptive young people to form lasting supportive relationships and build meaningful connections with other P4P members who have similar life experiences.
We offer ongoing support to program participants through mentoring trainings, book club calls, peer support groups, social and networking events, and summer and holiday gatherings.
3) Our Child Welfare Trainings
We teach child welfare professionals and foster and adoptive families how to advocate for young people through skills-building workshops, like how to better care for children of color (racial and cultural needs).
We also partner with other agencies to raise community awareness and understanding of how to support foster and adoptive youth so they can grow into adults that live positive, peaceful, and prosperous lives.
“The interpersonal communication skills I learned at P4P have been very effective in my life. I've learned about who I am and my identity. I’ve learned how to present myself in a professional manner and how to keep striving regardless of obstacles you're facing” - Salia, LCS Program Graduate
Getting results (Giving Back)
Our donors contribute to systems change. P4P’s programs are dedicated to being a change agent in the foster care/adoption system and shifting the narrative of young people who age out of the child welfare system.
Through P4P’s LCS leadership training and mentoring programs:
80% of young people served by P4P have attended college/earned a college degree.
100% are gainfully employed.
70%% are currently receiving mental health services with P4P referrals.
100% have maintained stable housing for more than 2 years.
90% have completed tests and have earned their driver’s license.
Through P4P’s support network for foster alumni and adoptees:
80% have been involved in a private online group for more than 10 years.
70% participate in monthly mentoring training and book club calls since 2019.
90% attend holiday gatherings since 2010 hosted by P4P twice a year.
80% attend summer gatherings and leadership networking events hosted by P4P four times a year.
Through P4P’s child welfare training and in partnership with P4P youth consultants and agency partners:
developed 17 customized training curricula in partnership with P4P youth consultants.
training audiences average about 90-150 families per month.
received an average 9.25 out of 10 rating on training evaluations from P4P training audience participants.
trained over 3500 child welfare professionals since 2015.
hired or trained over 50 young leaders as training consultants and peer mentors since 2017.
“I have been with Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) for over five years now. I graduated in 2019 from Hamline University with my Bachelor’s in Public Health. I continue to stay in P4P because I want to continue to advocate for young people involved in child welfare. I love the teamwork and support P4P provides”. - Lisa, LCS Program Graduate.
Recent News and Events
Seeking new board members
Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) is looking for board members who are passionate about improving the child welfare system and ensuring that adoptive and foster young people have supportive people in their lives that help them grow into adults that live positive, peaceful, and prosperous lives.
P4P’s Board of Directors is a group of volunteers who provide leadership and oversight to ensure that the resources entrusted to the organization are used effectively to accomplish its mission. It's important that all of P4P’s board members are:
empathetic and passionate about P4P’s work
effective at making group decisions, communicating with others, working in a team, resolving conflict, listening, thinking critically, and asking important questions
culturally aware and competent
diverse in their perspectives representing a variety of genders, abilities, ages, races/ethnicities, etc.
able to fulfill board member responsibilities and expectations
In addition, some board members are needed that have:
lived experience in the child welfare system
expertise and skills in mental health, advocacy/policy, finance, fundraising/grant writing, human resources, marketing/communications, and nonprofit management
connections with others in corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy
an entrepreneurial spirit/mindset
strong attention to detail
To learn more, check out the Board of Directors page and/or this flier with more information about being on P4P’s board. To apply, complete the on-line application. Those interested in applying are encouraged to complete the application by September 30, 2024.
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Youth and Adult Summit
Register for 5th Annual LCS Summit
Join Us for the 5th Annual Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Network “Growing Together Youth and Adult Summit” (#GTYAS 25) in August 2025. Register below to save your spot.
2025 Youth and Adult Summit Theme and Description
“Improving outcomes for youth and adults with foster care and adoption lived experience.”
LCS Network Advisors envision a transformational gathering for youth and adult partners to develop a circle of support, teach life skills and future planning, and share meaningful resources to heal from the past and grow together stronger.
This leadership summit seeks to motivate and elevate young leaders and seasoned professionals with lived experiences impacted by foster care and adoption in order to effect change within the system.
An opportunity for youth and adults with lived experience to share with each other their common experiences as a powerful tool to inform future system change.
Engage young adults, parents, and professionals using a reflective approach to identify limitations and challenges that hold people back, including barriers to success and future planning.
Leaders Changing the System
Dedicated Proximate leaders with professional and personal experience in child welfare.
- Partnerships for Permanence
Become a partner
Please consider making a generous donation today to Partnerships for Permanence, by investing in the lives of the next generation of young leaders transforming the child welfare system in Minnesota. Your support will help our organization accomplish the following goals:
Sustainable investment and partnerships with foster and adoptive young leaders.
Expand our leadership training and mentoring programs to serve more young people in Minnesota.
Expand our community engagement efforts to help increase the number of foster and adoptive families.
