Baker, J.
J.W. (Mother) appeals the juvenile court’s order terminating visits and phone contact with her child, E.W. (Child). Mother argues that there is insufficient evidence supporting the juvenile court’s order. Finding sufficient evidence, we affirm.
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Initially, we must address jurisdiction. DCS has not argued that we are without jurisdiction to consider this appeal, but we believe that the issue must be addressed. Mother has brought this appeal under Indiana Appellate Rule 5(A)
as an appeal from a final judgment. Appellate Rule 2(H) explains that a judgment is a final judgment if:
(1) it disposes of all claims as to all parties;
(2) the trial court in writing expressly determines under Trial Rule 54(B) or Trial Rule 56(C) that there is no just reason for delay and in writing expressly directs the entry of judgment (i) under Trial Rule 54(B) as to fewer than all the claims or parties, or (ii) under Trial Rule 56(C) as to fewer than all the issues, claims or parties;
(3) it is deemed final under Trial Rule 60(C);
(4) it is a ruling on either a mandatory or permissive Motion to Correct Error which was timely filed under Trial Rule 59 or Criminal Rule 16; or
(5) it is otherwise deemed final by law.
At first glance, it seems that none of these considerations apply to the trial court’s May 18, 2014, order. The CHINS case is still open, and will remain open until the Child turns eighteen and is no longer a ward of the State. This order is not a dispositional decree, nor does it modify the dispositional decree already in place. Finally, this order was not entered following a permanency hearing; Child’s permanency plan had already been changed to APPLA. Therefore, it seems that this is not a final judgment.
When one takes a step back to look at the effect of this order, however, a different picture emerges. Indiana Code section 31-34-21-7.5 contemplates six different permanency plans for children in a CHINS proceeding:
Reunification with the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian
Termination of parental rights
Adoption
Placement in relative care who is willing and able to act as the child’s permanent custodian
Appointment of a legal guardian
APPLA
Ind. Code § 31-34-21-7.5(c). Typically, a child whose plan is changed to APPLA is an older, teenaged child who is unlikely or unwilling to be adopted, who has no relatives able or willing to act as a custodian or guardian, and whose parents are unable or unwilling to become safe and appropriate caregivers.
In this case, DCS asked that Child’s permanency plan be changed to adoption, with the intention of filing a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship with respect to both of Child’s parents. The juvenile court denied that request, instead determining that a plan of APPLA was in Child’s best interests. Appellant’s App. p. 325. The practical effect of a change of plan to APPLA is that Child will remain a ward of the State until she reaches the age of majority. She will either remain in foster care or live in a facility or group home, and she will continue to receive the treatment and services she needs. Her CHINS case will remain open until she turns eighteen. [Footnote omitted.]
By ordering that all contact between Mother and Child cease, the trial court is effectively ending that relationship until Child is a legal adult, at which time it will be her choice to resume contact with Mother. Child will turn eighteen in July 2016—over two years away from the date on which the juvenile court ordered contact between Child and Mother to cease. Whether or not this is technically a final judgment, it certainly operates as one. Consequently, we will consider Mother’s arguments. See In re Adoption of O.R., 16 N.E.3d 965, 970-71 (Ind. 2014) (holding that a party’s failure to file a timely notice of appeal does not deprive the appellate courts of jurisdiction to hear the case and emphasizing a strong preference to resolve cases on the merits when possible).
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May, J., and Barnes, J., concur.