State Foster Adopt

King County Foster-Adopt Program 

A DLR-OFCL & DCFS Office of Adoption & Permanency Collaboration

King County 2012 Foster-Adopt Orientation Schedule 

The Office of Foster Care Licensing (OFCL) and the Division of Child & Family Services have implemented a Foster-Adopt Program in King County specifically for families that wish to adopt children from Washington’s foster care system.  The essential elements of this program are described below.  Families wanting more information and/or considering participating in this program should contact a Program Coordinator:

• Alexa Latta (Seattle OFCL Office) at (206) 923-4944 or alek300@dshs.wa.gov
• Kim Johnson (Kent OFCL Office) at (253) 372-6008 or joki300@dshs.wa.gov
• Laurie Mayer (Adoption Program Consultant) at (425) 590-3081 or nola300@dshs.wa.gov.

Definition: 
A Foster-Adopt family is a licensed foster family with a primary goal of adoption.  The Foster Adopt family accepts foster children into their care with the understanding that if the child cannot be returned to their birth family, the Foster-Adopt family will adopt the child.  A Foster-Adopt Family is officially designated as the child’s adoptive family after termination of parental rights has occurred and the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has met all requirements to approve the plan of adoption

The OFCL Responsibilities are as follows:

• Provide information and training in advance for Foster-Adopt applicants. For the current Orientation schedule, please see below.
• Help families complete the adoption & licensing home study in a timely manner
• Provide careful child/family matching in coordination with the children’s social worker
• Advocate on behalf of families at monthly Adoption Consortium meetings
• Assist in planning & implementation of child’s transition to Foster-Adopt family
• Attend case staffings and planning meetings
• Provide ongoing support & training to Foster-Adopt families
• Provide adoption finalization services to Foster-Adopt families

The Foster to Adopt Family Responsibilities are as follows:

• Attend Foster-Adopt Information Session. Click Here for the current schedule.
• Complete required training and application packet
• Meet all foster care licensing and adoption certification requirements
• Depending on circumstances, may agree to meet the child’s biological family
• Support efforts to maintain the child’s significant relationships (i.e. siblings, extended birth family members, etc.) before and after adoption
• Comply with court orders and DCFS plans to meet child’s needs
• Adhere to a Foster-Adopt Placement Agreement
• Attend the monthly Foster-Adopt Support & Training Meeting (see below)

 King County 2012 Foster-Adopt Orientation Schedule

For a printable version of this schedule, please Click Here.