About Adoption

Meet Michael Swallow:

I, Michael, was born on June 21st 2002 in Seattle Washington. My birth mother was very young when she had me and wasn't able to take care of herself, or a newborn baby. So I was sent to live with a foster family. This foster family had a mom, dad, and SEVEN kids. Five of those kids were the mom and dad's biological and step children, and two of them were foster children just like me! They all loved me very much. They took me on vacation with them, threw me birthday parties, and took me pretty much everywhere they went. They treated me JUST like their very own child. They even tried to help me be reunited with my biological mother. They worked with social workers, daycare providers, and even my biological grandmother to see about reuniting me with my mother.

Unfortunately my mom was just not able to get her life situated enough to provide the kind of life I needed. So I was put up for adoption. My foster family didn't even think twice about making me their own, and last June I was adopted! I now have 5 new brothers and sister who spoil me rotten, and even 6 nieces and nephews right around my age to play with. I am so happy that I know I will be taken care of and have so many wonderful people to make me feel as special as I do, and I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me along the way, such as social workers, CASA workers, my teachers at Childhaven, and most importantly, my new family.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is the permanent, legal transfer of all parental rights from one person or couple to another person or couple. Adoptive parents have the same rights and responsibilities as parents whose children are born to them, including all the emotional, social, legal and kinship benefits of birth children.

Every child deserves a permanent, stable, loving family. Children need a “forever” family where they can feel safe, secure, and provided for. They need a family they can call their own.

There are many types of adoptions: infants, older children, special needs children, and sibling groups can all be adopted. It is a life-long journey, and, while it can be a difficult journey sometimes, the rewards are huge.

In Washington State, adoptions can occur in one of several ways.

Through the Department of Social and Human Services, a public agency
Through a Private Agency – licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services to provide adoption services.
Independent adoptions – completed by an independent agent
Step parent and adult adoptions – usually not requiring a pre-placement report of home study, and handled privately

In every case, the main concern is that adoption is in the best interest of the child.

For more information on becoming an adoptive parent, see our resource page, or contact us.

"Too many children in foster care are falling through cracks. Be a hero, take the time learn about adoption today."

- Bruce Willis

Some of Washington's Waiting Children

Foster Care Facts

As of 2009, 2,837 foster children in the state of Washington were waiting to be adopted.

Foster & Adoption Agencies

Foster care was intended to be temporary, but many Washington children remain in care for years.

For children waiting to be adopted in Washington, the average length of stay in care is more than three years (37.8 months). On average, children who were adopted in 2007 spent about 34.7 months in care before the adoption was finalized.