In re C.L.

Prior to birth of minor, now age 5, DCFS had opened cases against Respondent mother as to her 6 other children. Minor was placed in a foster home and has resided there throughout pendency of abuse and neglect case. Court erred in focusing on parental fitness in relation to changing permanency goal or closing case to private guardianship. In setting permanency goal, court must give full consideration to the best interest factors outlines in Section 2-28 of Juvenile Court Act.Mother's slow progress toward reunification, her failure to achieve return home with any of her other children, raise serious concerns about her ability to parent the minor. Mother has consistently failed to complete random drug screenings. Further attempts at returning home are not in minor's best interest. Adoption and termination of mother's parental rights are not appropriate as mother and minor continue to have a relationship with one another. Private guardianship with foster parents is an appropriate permanency goal and would serve minor's best interests. (HOWSE and ELLIS, concurring.)