Permanent care

Permanent Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Permanent care in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a long‑term, stable living arrangement for children who cannot safely return to their birth parents or relatives. Unlike short‑term foster care, permanent care is designed to give a child a lifelong family, emotional security, and consistent support as they grow up in West Michigan.

Children who enter permanent care usually come through Michigan’s Child Protective Services (CPS) after a court has determined that it is not safe for them to live with their birth family. In Kent County, these cases are often coordinated through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Kent County Family Court.

What Is Permanent Care?

Permanent care means a child is placed with approved permanent caregivers who take on full, long‑term responsibility for the child’s upbringing. Caregivers may be:

Relatives (kinship care) who are assessed and approved for permanent care
Existing foster parents who transition to permanent care
New permanent care families who have completed assessment and training

Permanent care is not a voluntary arrangement by parents; it is a legal decision made in the best interest of the child’s safety and stability.

In Grand Rapids and the surrounding metro area, permanent care placements may be supported by:

MDHHS – Kent County
Kent County Family Court
Local agencies partnering with major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health for medical and behavioral health services.

Permanent Care vs. Foster Care

While foster care in Michigan is generally temporary and aims to reunite children with their birth parents, permanent care is long‑term and stability‑focused.

Foster care:

Short‑term or transitional
Primary goal is reunification with birth family
Daily and major decisions are often shared with MDHHS and the court

Permanent care:

Long‑term, family‑based care
Caregivers take on full responsibility for daily and long‑term decisions
Focus is on emotional security, identity, and lifelong relationships

Permanent caregivers are responsible for:

Providing a safe, stable home in all Michigan seasons (including cold winters and severe weather)
Supporting the child’s physical and mental health
Meeting cultural, religious, and community needs
Supporting education and extracurricular activities in local Grand Rapids schools and programs
Helping the child build a strong sense of identity and belonging

Legal Orders in Permanent Care

In Michigan, long‑term care arrangements are typically formalized through court orders such as:

Guardianship orders
Permanent custody or placement orders
In some cases, adoption (which is legally distinct from permanent care but may be considered for some children)

When a court grants a permanent care‑type order (such as a long‑term guardianship):

Caregivers are responsible for day‑to‑day care of the child
Caregivers make long‑term decisions about:
- Education and school choice in Grand Rapids Public Schools or local districts
- Changes in residence (including moves within or outside Kent County)
- Health care decisions, including care at local hospitals (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
- Employment and vocational opportunities as the child becomes a teenager

The order does not automatically change the child’s:

Legal name
Birth certificate
Inheritance rights

Any change of name requires a separate legal process through the court.

Most legal orders end when the child turns 18 years old, but the relationships built in permanent care are intended to last a lifetime.

Ongoing Contact With Birth Family

Children in permanent care in Grand Rapids are generally entitled to some level of ongoing contact with their birth family, when it is safe and in the child’s best interest. This may include:

In‑person visits
Phone or video calls
Exchange of photos and updates
Letters or email communication

This can feel challenging for new permanent caregivers at first, but it is very important for the child:

Children need to know and understand their origins
Maintaining safe connections with birth family can support healthy identity development
Children often feel more secure when they do not have to “choose” between families

Before a permanent order is granted, contact arrangements are usually:

Planned with your MDHHS caseworker or private agency worker
Started in neutral locations such as community centers, parks, or supervised visitation rooms
Adjusted over time as trust and comfort grow between you and the birth family

Your worker will often attend early visits to:

Support the child
Help build respectful relationships between you and the birth family
Make sure contact is safe and appropriate

Permanent Care for Native American / Indigenous Children

For Native American children in Michigan, including those from tribes with connections to the Grand Rapids area, permanent care is guided by:

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (federal law)
Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA)
Tribal laws and cultural placement principles

A permanent placement for a Native American child:

Must prioritize placement with extended family, members of the child’s tribe, or other Native American families, whenever possible
Requires active efforts to maintain the child’s cultural identity, language, and tribal connections
Must be made in consultation with the child (when age‑appropriate), the tribe, and culturally informed agencies

If a Native American child is placed with non‑Native caregivers, the court and agencies will still:

Require a cultural plan
Support ongoing connections with the child’s tribe and culture
Expect caregivers to actively support cultural traditions and relationships

Local support and guidance may be available through tribal social services and Native American community organizations in West Michigan.

Health and Behavioral Needs in Grand Rapids Children

Children in permanent care may have additional needs, including:

Medical needs (asthma, chronic conditions, developmental delays)
Behavioral and mental health needs, such as:
- Trauma‑related stress
- Anxiety or depression
- Challenges related to past abuse or neglect
Dental care needs
Educational challenges, including learning difficulties or special education needs

In Grand Rapids, permanent caregivers can access services through:

Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (pediatrics and specialty care)
Trinity Health Grand Rapids pediatric and behavioral health services
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
Mercy Health outpatient and community programs
Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for vaccinations, screenings, and public health programs
School‑based services in Grand Rapids Public Schools and other local districts

Michigan’s seasonal changes—especially long, cold winters and limited daylight—can affect children’s mood, behavior, and physical health. Caregivers should:

Ensure children have appropriate winter clothing
Encourage indoor physical activity during winter
Watch for signs of seasonal mood changes and seek support if needed

Financial Assistance for Permanent Caregivers in Michigan

As a permanent caregiver, you are financially responsible for the child’s daily needs, but Michigan offers several supports that may help with costs.

Care Allowances and Benefits

Permanent caregivers in Grand Rapids may be eligible for:

Foster care or guardianship subsidies (through MDHHS, depending on the legal order)
Adoption or guardianship assistance for eligible children
Medicaid or other health coverage for the child
Additional supports if the child has a disability or chronic medical condition

These supports can help with:

Food and clothing
Housing and utilities
School supplies and extracurricular activities
Transportation and medical appointments

For details, visit:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website
Michigan.gov – “Foster Care” and “Adoption & Guardianship Assistance” sections
Benefits.gov for federal benefit information

Flexible or Supplemental Funding

In some cases, caregivers may be able to access flexible funding or special grants to cover needs that are not met by standard allowances, such as:

Specialized therapies or counseling
Adaptive equipment or medical supplies
Tutoring or educational supports
Transportation for frequent medical visits

Speak with your:

Child Protection worker
Case manager
Agency representative

They can help determine eligibility, assist with applications, and include funding requests in the child’s case plan when court orders are being considered or reviewed.

Support Services for Permanent Caregivers in Grand Rapids

Permanent care can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be demanding—especially when children have experienced trauma, multiple placements, or complex family histories. Support is essential.

Local and Statewide Support Options

Permanent caregivers in Grand Rapids can seek help from:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – Kent County Office
- Information on subsidies, medical coverage, and case management
Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health
- Immunizations, health education, and community resources
Local counseling and trauma‑informed therapy providers, often connected with:
- Corewell Health
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids
- Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Parent and caregiver support groups, including:
- Foster, adoptive, and kinship caregiver networks in West Michigan
School‑based services
- Social workers, counselors, and special education teams in Grand Rapids area schools

Ask your caseworker or agency for a current list of:

Support groups
Parenting classes
Trauma‑informed training opportunities
Respite care options

Considering Becoming a Permanent Caregiver in Grand Rapids?

If you live in Grand Rapids or the surrounding West Michigan communities and are interested in becoming a permanent caregiver:

You will typically:

Contact MDHHS or a licensed child‑placing agency to express interest.
Attend information sessions about foster care, adoption, and permanent care.
Complete training focused on trauma, attachment, and child development.
Undergo assessment and home studies to ensure safety and readiness.
Work with a permanent care or adoption team to be matched with a child whose needs fit your family’s abilities and strengths.

Permanent care teams:

Recruit and educate potential caregivers
Assess and approve applicants
Provide ongoing support after a permanent order is made

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

For information about permanent care, foster care, or adoption in the Grand Rapids area, contact:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – Kent County
- Visit: michigan.gov/mdhhs
Kent County Health Department
- Visit: accesskent.com/Health
Local child‑placing agencies in Grand Rapids (search “foster care and adoption agencies Grand Rapids MI”)
Your child’s caseworker or current foster care agency, if you are already caring for a child

Key Points for Permanent Care in Grand Rapids

Permanent care is a long‑term, stable family arrangement for children who cannot safely return to their birth parents.
It is different from foster care, which is usually temporary and focused on reunification.
Caregivers make daily and long‑term decisions about health, education, and living arrangements.
Ongoing, safe contact with birth family is often encouraged and can be very important for a child’s identity.
Native American children are protected by ICWA, MIFPA, and cultural placement principles.
Financial assistance and flexible funding may be available through MDHHS and other programs.
Grand Rapids offers strong healthcare, mental health, and public health resources, including major hospital systems and the Kent County Health Department.

Permanent care gives children in Grand Rapids and across Michigan the chance to grow up in a committed, loving family, with the support they need to thrive—through every season of life.