What is Permanency Mediation?
Permanency mediation is an alternative to a contested court proceeding for children in the Massachusetts foster care system. Permanency mediation addresses the unique issues involved in care and protection, guardianship and termination of parental rights proceedings. The model uses an independent third party to facilitate a child-centered approach to permanency planning. By giving parents an opportunity to help develop plans for their child’s future, permanency mediation both empowers and preserves families.
132
Youth served* through Permanency Mediation (FCT/CPP) in 2025
284
Young people and their families served, Plummer-wide, in 2025
*served definition: assigned a mediator and screened in (eligible for permanency mediation work) FCT= Family Consultation Team, CPP= Cooperative Permanency Planning
Plummer’s Permanency Mediation Services
- Identify a child’s specific needs and the strengths and characteristics needed for any adult to successfully parent a particular child.
- Unite parents, extended family, kin, caregivers and professionals in a cooperative planning process.
- Empower family members through participatory planning and decision-making on behalf of their child.
- Provide an important opportunity for all adults who are significant in a child’s life to plan together and develop positive relationships that can be sustained over time.
- Utilize a neutral third-party with no decision-making authority or stake in a specific outcome.
- Are scheduled at the convenience of families within their homes and communities.
Permanency Mediation Models
- Family Consultation Team (FCT) approach addresses what needs to occur for the child to return home, while simultaneously considering an alternative permanent plan (guardianship or adoption) if reunification is not possible. The FCT mediation unites parents, extended family, social workers, attorneys, and other service providers in a non-adversarial planning process.
- Cooperative Permanency Planning (CPP) approach uses a collaborative process to facilitate building a relationship between parents and foster parents as they work together to develop a permanent plan for the child’s future.
- Family Preservation Mediation (FPM) helps families at imminent risk of child removal come together with DCF and trusted supports to create a safety plan that helps children remain safely at home. Learn more about our newest program.
68% of Families
who completed mediation left with agreements that kept the child(ren) home(FCT/CPP FY25)
Permanency Mediation
empowers families and preserves relationships - our results to date have been strong!
Becoming a Permanency Mediator-Training Information
For trained mediators with child welfare experience, Permanency Mediation offers an advanced path to making a lasting difference for children in foster care. This specialized model equips mediators with two unique approaches to help families build safe, stable, permanent plans — and the hands-on training to put them into practice.
View the permanency mediation training information below. For more information, please contact the Permanency Mediation Administrative Coordinator by calling 978-219-5697 or emailing PermMediation@plummeryouthpromise.org.
How to Become a Permanency Mediator
Learn more about the process!
Permanency Mediation Brochure
For more information, download the Permanency Mediation Brochure.
Para obtener más información, descargue el folleto de Servicios de Mediación para Permanencia.
