Staff must consistently review other permanency options when the permanency goal includes CPS maintaining permanent managing conservatorship, to ensure that it is absolutely necessary and justified, and that no other goal is feasible or possible.

If staff selects a goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA), the program director must initially approve the child’s service plan in IMPACT and approve it annually thereafter.

CPS reassesses the primary permanency goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement with each review of the child’s service plan. CPS must continue to have a compelling reason why one of the more preferred permanency options is not appropriate for the child. CPS must document the justification in each placement review report. This requirement is true for all permanency goals but is particularly crucial in the context of APPLA.

CPS changes the primary permanency goal to one of the preferred goals if circumstances change that would make the preferred goals of family reunification, adoption, or permanent managing conservatorship to a relative or other suitable individual more appropriate for the child, based on the criteria in 6234 Prioritizing Permanency Goals.