In efforts to preserve foster children’s biological families and to promote the formation of alternative families in some situations, legislative efforts to promote ‘permanency’ have been gaining pace since the late 1990s. One policy and practice tool, concurrent planning (CP), simultaneously allows for the pursuit of reunification and adoption. This article examines six counties in California (USA) and their efforts towards implementation of the components of CP. Researchers used qualitative methods to explore policies and practices of CP. Key informants include social workers, social work supervisors, attorneys and judges. The study identifies and describes seven elements determined to be essential to the complete and successful implementation of CP. Implications for agency practice and family outcomes are discussed.