Washington Resources

Getting Started

• Adoption Information
  DSHS provides an overview of adoption. Topics include considering adoption, laws and requirements, types of children, steps to adoption, and resources.
• Adoption Laws At-a-Glance
  DSHS provides a general overview of Washington’s adoption laws.
• Background Check FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about the Washington background check process.
• Child Adoption Laws
  Adoption laws for state of Washington.
• DSHS Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions
  A list of crimes that permanently disqualify an applicant from becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Washington state, in addition to crimes that disqualify an applicant for 5-years.
• Isben Adoption Network
  Isben Adoption Network provides grants to families adopting special needs children.
• Keep the Beat CPR & First Aid Training
  Registration information for 8-hour CPR and first aid training. Required for all foster and adoptive families.
• Last & Requirements
  DSHS provides links to Washington adoption laws and requirements.
• LGBT Adoption Laws
  LGBT adoption laws in Washington.
• Licensing Requirements
  An overview of 388-148 WAC. outlining the requirements to become a licensed foster and/or adoptive home in Washington.
• Oral Health Promotion Cards
  Recommended information for foster and adoptive families on promoting oral health with their foster and adoptive children, courtesy of DSHS.
• Pre-Service Training Information
  Class schedule and registration information for Caregiver Core Training (CCT) pre-service training classes. Module 1 must be completed in it’s entirety before Module 2.
• Steps to Adopt
  DSHS outlines the steps to adoption.
• Training Requirements
  DSHS outlines the training requirements for potential foster and adoptive parents in Washington.
• Home Study Requirements (See bottom of page for providers)
  Information on the Home study program and requirements

Searching for Children

• A Family For Every Child
  Browse through a photo listing featuring waiting children in Washington.
• Children’s Home Society of Washington
  Photo listing of waiting children in Washington.
• NWAE
  Photo listing of waiting children in Washington.
• WARE Kids
  Washington families can create an account with WARE to view children who cannot be listed publicly, and create a family profile to connect with searching caseworkers.
• WWK Recruiters
  Scroll down and click on Washington to view contact information for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiters families may contact regarding waiting Washington children.
• Heart Gallery Of America
  Photo lists of waiting children

Pre-Placement

• ICPC Information
  Provides general information about ICPC process in Washington, including contact information for state ICPC offices.

Post-Adoption Support and Resources

• 211 Info
  Search for health and social services in Southwest Washington
• Adoption Assistance
  Select Washington to view more information on adoption assistance in state of Washington, courtesy of Child Welfare Information Gateway.
• Adoption Information Exchange 2013-2014
  A guide to community resources for Washington foster and adoptive families. Resources include licensed adoption agencies, general community resources, support groups, adoption attorneys, and more.
• Adoption Support Program
  DSHS provides information on Washington’s adoption support program, courtesy of DSHS.
• Adoption Support Program Application
  Form families will need to fill out when applying for adoption assistance in Washington.
• Adoption Support Program Limitations
  Limitations of Washington’s adoption support program.
• Adoptive Friends and Families of Greater Seattle (AFFGS)
  AFFGS is a membership support and educational group for adoptive families. AFFGS offers a varienty of yearly events, quarterly educational meetings, and a private Facebook group for members.
• Alliance for Child Welfare Training Videos
  Free training videos for foster and adoptive parents courtesy of Alliance for Child Welfare.
• Attachment and Trauma Specialists
  Specializing in working with your with attachment and trauma related issues.
• Center for Adoption Medicine
  Provide pediatric care of fostered and adopted children, with special expertise in working with children diagnosed with FAS.
• Adoption Therapists
  Click on a county on the map to find a certified therapist skilled in foster care and adoption issues. List provided by Cascadia Training.
• Chapter 388-27 WAC: Adoption Services &Adoption Support
  Laws surrounding Washington’s adoption support program.
• Child Care Resources
  Fostering Together compiled a list of child-care resources in Washington.
• Children’s Center Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program
  Children’s Center provides specialized treatment to children who are victims of sexial abuse and non-offending family members. Services offered to families living in Vancouver, WA/Clark County.
• Children’s Center Mental Health Program
  Children’s Center provides children living in Vancouver, WA/Clark County with mental health counseling services.
• Counseling Resources
  Fostering Together compiled a list of counseling resources in Washington.
• DSHS Resource List
  DSHS compiled a list of adoption support resources. Topics include adoption publications, tax tips, online resources, and recommended book list for parents and children.
• Focused Training
  To view and register for upcoming focused training classes hosted by DSHS, click on any of the trainings that appear under the Caregivers section and Focused subsection.
• Glam Squad Washington
  A mobile hairstyling service for African-American girls.
• In-Service Training
  To view and register upcoming in-service training classes hosted by DSHS, click on any of the trainings that appear under the Caregivers section and in-Service subsection
• Kindering
  Provides comprehensive services to children with special needs.
• Medical Resources
  Fostering Together compiled a list of medical resources in Washington. Featured resources include Autism Society of Washington, and finding a Medicaid providerm.
• NOFAS FASD Teen Social Skills Group
  Information on NOFAS Washington’s teen social skills group, for teens diagnosed with FASD.
• NOFAS Washington State FASD Support Group
  Information on support group for families raising youth diagnosed with FASD.
• Northwest Trauma Couseling
  Therapists trained in trauma-related issues offer counseling services to children and families. Types of therapy include sensory-integration therapy, trauma-informed general counseling, life-coaching, and trauma-informed marriage therapy.
• Nurturing Attachments Training
  A list of uplcoming trainings and conferences, hosted by Deborah Gray.
• Online Support Groups
  Fostering Together offers online support goups licensed and relative Washington caregivers may join.
• Our Home Family Support Group
  Children’s Home Society of Washington hosts a support group for foster and adoptive familes.
• Post-Adoption Questions and Answers
  Frequently asked questions and answers regarding adoption assistance in Washington.
• The Refresh Conference
  An annual conference hosted by Overlake Christian Church for foster and adoptive parents, kinship providers, and guardians. The conference aims to inspire, support, educate and connect parents who care for children in foster care. Past guest speakers include Deborah Grah, Mike Howerton, Dr. Randy Stinson, and Jenni Allen.
• Seattle Center Festal Cultural Events
  Seattle Center offers free cultural events throughout the year.
• Starting Point Guide
  Resources for parents of children with special health care needs.
• State Subsidy Information
  NACAC provides general information on adoption subsidies in Washington.
• Summer Activities
  Fostering Together compiled a list of free or low cost summer activities for kids.
• Support Groups
  Use Fostering Together’s support group locator map to find a support group near you.
• Washington State Resources Guide
  Scroll down to page 18 for mental health resources in Washington State.
• CenterLink LGBTQ Community Member Centers
  Locate an LGBTQ member center near you.

Events and Activities

• Cultural Events
  Events Calendar
• Summer Activities
  A list of local activities

Home Study Service Providers

• Abby’s One True Gift
  Home study service provider
• All God’s Children International
  Home study service provider
• Mark Iverson, PS
  Home study service provider