Permanency planning services are provided to a child in the legal custody or under the legal supervision of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and to the child's family to assist them in changing behaviors and correcting the conditions which led to the child's removal and court involvement.  The guiding principles of planning for a child in OKDHS custody or supervision are safety, permanency, and well-being.  Addressing the child's needs is critical in attaining these outcomes.  Permanency planning services are initiated immediately following the child's removal and continue until the child is safely in a permanent home either through reunification with the family or other permanent placement.  These services are provided on the basis of the individualized needs of the child and family, whenever possible.  A full range of community based program options are provided in order that the child may remain in his or her own home or community, whenever possible.  When it is not safe for the child to remain in his or her own home, every effort is made to place the child with a suitable relative.  When there are siblings in custody, every effort is made to place the siblings together.  Placement of children in residential settings occurs only after all other less restrictive settings have been attempted or considered.  • 1