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Guardianship and adoption both offer the child a sense of security and family attachment and allow the adoptive parent or guardian to make decisions on the child's behalf. If a child's goal is either adoption or guardianship, finalization of these two goals leads to the removal of the child from foster care supervising.

Guardianship gives legal rights to parents including receiving money paid for the child's support (including guardianship assistance payments, child support and governmental benefits), authorizing medical treatment, and consenting to the child's marriage or adoption. If parental rights have not been terminated, a guardian may facilitate contact between the child and a parent.

Guardianship can be a great option for families who want to provide permanent, loving homes to children but are unable to adopt. 

More detailed information on guardianship.