Glossary of Terms

An individual 21 years of age or older who is one of the following: (1) A godparent of the child as recognized by an organized church. (2) A member of the child's tribe, nation or tribal organization. (3) An individual with a significant, positive relationship with the child or family.

The process by which potential adoptive parents become foster parents to children whose parental rights are not terminated with the intent to adopt after termination occurs.

A program that addresses barriers within the legal process that delay permanency. LSI places paralegals in agency offices to complete legal work, identify and resolve legal barriers and to bridge the gap between the legal community and child welfare system.  https://swantoolkit.org/toolkit/09-lsi-legal-services

A pre-adoptive family who intends to adopt, accepts the placement of a foster child before termination of parental rights, TPR. In these situations permanency through adoption is aggressively pursued; the child is not legally free for adoption; there is a risk that the child may be reunified with their birth family; the child is not eligible for adoption assistance until TPR; and many families may agree to become temporary foster families solely for the purpose of receiving financial compensation until the adoption assistance agreement is established at TPR.

A worker who has achieved the required educational background and has passed licensure requirements as mandated by the state in which they practice.

A program that addresses barriers within the legal process that delay permanency. LSI places paralegals in agency offices to complete legal work, identify and resolve legal barriers and to bridge the gap between the legal community and child welfare system.  https://swantoolkit.org/toolkit/09-lsi-legal-services

A worker who has achieved the required educational background and has passed licensure requirements as mandated by the state in which they practice.