About the youth

Youth who are looking for a permanent home

It is important to know that the primary goal of foster care is reunification—helping children and youth safely return to their birth families. In fact, 67 percent of youth who enter foster care in Washington state are reunited, according to child welfare outcomes data from the Children’s Bureau.

After reunification, kinship—keeping children within their communities of origin through family connection—is often explored. However, reunification and kinship are not always possible. That is when adoption becomes vital.

By offering a stable, loving, and supportive home, you can help youth heal and thrive.

Youth enter foster care not because of anything they did, but because their home environment was determined to be unsafe by the state’s child protection agency.

Many of these youth have experienced trauma, including abuse, neglect, and loss. Additionally, factors like systemic racism, poverty, inequality in the criminal justice system, and implicit bias can all impact how families navigate the foster care system.

At the core, youth in foster care, like all children and teens, need love, support, and connection. They are funny, vibrant, and full of potential. Above all, they deserve to be part of a permanent, loving family.

When youth find permanent homes through adoption, guardianship, reunification, or kinship care, they report stronger outcomes in housing stability, education, health, and a deep sense of belonging throughout their lives.

We're here to help. Please reach out with questions at any time.

Youth profiles on NWAE

Youth on our website are representative of the larger population of children and youth seeking permanency through adoption and guardianship.

Before you start browsing profiles, learn a little more about who the youth are.

Teens and older youth

Many smart, funny, and unique teens are looking for permanent families today.

As you browse our youth profiles, you’ll notice that the youth we serve are often above the age of 12. While we have profiles of children and youth between the ages of 2 through 21, it is important to know that children under the age of 12 are more likely to find permanency through reunification or kinship care and may not be seeking adoption or guardianship as often.

Teens and older youth need permanent families who will support them long after their 18th birthday. Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that youth who age out of foster care without a permanent family are more like­ly to expe­ri­ence homelessness, job insecurity, health issues, and incarceration. These outcomes are significantly decreased if a youth has a permanent family.

We are big fans of teens and think you will be too! Learn more about the rewards of parenting a teen.

Sibling groups

Around two-thirds of children and youth in foster care have a sibling. For many of the youth we serve, sibling connections have been one of the most constant relationships in their life.

Siblings understand each other's experiences, share culture, and support one-another—they’ve been together through the good and the bad.

Siblings placed together often feel more secure and are able to help each other adjust to their new family and community. Keeping siblings together lowers risk of placement disruption, lessens number of moves, and provides immeasurable emotional support.

Youth of color

Youth of color are over-represented in foster care nationwide and among the youth we serve.

This is largely driven by systemic racism. Factors like poverty, biased practices within child welfare, and unequal access to social services play a huge role in this disproportionality. These issues increase the likelihood of children of color being removed from their families.

Every youth deserves the opportunity to grow up in an environment that nurtures their unique racial and cultural identity. Permanent families who will actively advocate for a youth’s connection to their racial and cultural identity, and who can help ensure their sense of self, are vital. Parents should provide regular engagement with the youth's cultural community.

Would you be excited to support a young person in seeing their heritage reflected and respected in their everyday life?

LGBTQ+ youth

Too many young people in the LGBTQ+ community experience rejection or even abuse from family members because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, resulting in experiences in foster care.

For LGBTQ+ youth, finding a loving, affirming family is incredibly important. They need adults who celebrate who they are, making them feel safe, valued, and accepted. Supporting a youth’s identity creates a foundation of love and trust that helps them thrive.

Every youth deserves a family that will stand by them, and for LGBTQ+ youth, having an affirming family can make all the difference in their journey.

Youth with medical needs

Adopting a child with medical needs comes with its own unique set of responsibilities, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Youth may have chronic conditions, physical disabilities, or require ongoing medical care, but what they need most is love, support, and a family that is committed to their success. It is important for families to understand that youth are so much more than their medical needs.

Being an adoptive parent to a youth with medical needs means offering your unconditional love, a caring attitude, and a commitment to their health and happiness. With the right support, these young people can thrive.

Neurodiversity

Around one-third of children in foster care experience neurodiversity.

Adopting a child with neurodiversity is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and lots of love. Neurodiversity includes autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. While each young person's experience is unique, they all deserve a family who will embrace them for who they are and provide the support they need to thrive.

Neurodivergent youth bring unique strengths like strong focus on specific interests, creative thinking, and different perspectives and often thrive with families who provide stability and routine.

Meet the youth