The purpose of this study was to analyze a U.S. federal child welfare policy: the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997. The researcher analyzed the legislation using a modified version of David Gil's model and methodology for social policy analysis.

Results indicated that although the ASFA's main objective was to shorten the time that children spend in foster care, it also holds state agencies accountable for the safety and permanence of these children while they remain within the foster care system. The legislation attempts to achieve permanency through time-limited services to families, termination of parental rights, and incentives to states in order for more children to be adopted. Outcomes of this legislation demonstrate that although many children are finding permanency through adoptions, many are still lingering within the child welfare system.