SOUL stands for Support, Opportunity, Unity & Legal Relationships. SOUL is a youth-driven new permanency goal for youth in foster care who are age 16 or older. SOUL legally recognizes and supports the circle of loving adults in an older youth’s life who are committed to their future.
By choosing a SOUL permanency goal, older youth can create a permanent family and establish legal relationships with multiple caregivers and supporters, including people from their families of origin.
SOUL became a legal permanency option in the District of Columbia on August 14, 2026.
Helpful Information about SOUL:
SOUL Explainer Video
(Click the image to watch the video.)
SOUL One-Pager
(Click the image to access the one-pager.)
SOUL Explainer for Youth
(Coming soon!)
SOUL Explainer for Caregivers
(Coming soon!)
The SOUL Law
(Click the image to access the legislation.)
The SOUL Process Map
(Click the image to access the process map.)
The SOUL Policy
(Click the image to view the policy.)
SOUL Subsidy Policy
(Coming soon!)
SOUL Regulations
(Coming soon!)
Templates for Key SOUL Documents
The Youth Capacity-Building Plan (English and Spanish)
The Guide for the SOUL Family (English and Spanish)
For more information about SOUL, and whether it is right for you,
talk to your Social Worker or GAL!
You can also contact:
Susan Punnett at the DC Family & Youth Initiative
[email protected]
Tami Weerasingha-Cote at the Children’s Law Center
[email protected]