District of Columbia Code Division II. Judiciary and Judicial Procedure § 16-2383. Grounds for the creation of a permanent guardianship.

(1) The permanent guardianship is in the child's best interests;

(2) Adoption, termination of parental rights, or return to parent is not appropriate for the child; and

(3) The proposed permanent guardian is suitable and able to provide a safe and permanent home for the child.

(1) The child's need for continuity of care and caretakers, and for timely integration into a stable and permanent home, taking into account the differences in the development and the concept of time of children of different ages;

(2) The physical, mental, and emotional health of all individuals involved to the degree that each affects the welfare of the child, the decisive consideration being the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the child;

(3) The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent, siblings, relatives, and caretakers, including the proposed permanent guardian;

(4) To the extent feasible, the child's opinion of his or her own best interests in the matter; and

(5) Evidence that drug-related activity continues to exist in a child's home environment after intervention and services have been provided pursuant to section 6-2104.01. Evidence of continued drug-activity shall be given great weight.