Illinois Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) Practice Test

In child welfare, what is the purpose of family preservation as a pathway to permanency?

1. Providing financial aid to the family

2. Keeping the family intact and preventing child removal

3. Locating new families for children in the system

4. Placing children in group homes

The correct answer is: Keeping the family intact and preventing child removal

In child welfare, the purpose of family preservation as a pathway to permanency is to keep the family intact and prevent child removal whenever possible. Family preservation services aim to support and strengthen families, providing them with the resources and services they need to address challenges and improve child safety and well-being so that children can remain safely at home. This approach recognizes the importance of maintaining family connections and supporting families in overcoming obstacles they may be facing, ultimately promoting stability and permanency for children within their own families whenever feasible. Option A is incorrect because family preservation does not primarily involve providing financial aid to the family but focuses on providing interventions and support services to strengthen the family unit. Option C is incorrect because family preservation does not involve locating new families for children but rather focuses on supporting the existing family and preventing the need for child removal. Option D is incorrect because family preservation aims to prevent the placement of children in group homes by working towards maintaining children with their families whenever safe and possible.