Steps to adoption: A guide for Washington families

Steps of the adoption journey

Adopting a child or teen from foster care changes your life, and theirs, in so many amazing ways. Families who have adopted from foster care tell us there are emotional highs and lows throughout, like being on a roller coaster.

We’re here to help you on your adoption journey from start to adoption finalization. As a nonprofit organization, we offer all of our services at no cost to families.

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Step 1: Learn about adoption and have your questions answered

We can answer questions, help you figure out where to start, and provide insight into the process.

Join an information session

We offer online information sessions, designed to support you as you determine if adoption from foster care is right for your family and take the next steps. Learn more and sign up to join an upcoming information session.

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Sign up for emails featuring insights on adopting from foster care, youth stories, and more.

Ask questions

Schedule a meeting with our family engagement specialist to get your questions answered. What are other families asking as they start the adoption journey? Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

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Step 2: Find an agency

Anyone seeking to adopt a Washington state foster child or youth must first become a licensed foster parent.

In Washington, families can choose to get licensed either through the state child welfare agency, the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), or through a private non-profit agency, commonly known as a child placing agency (CPA).

• Licensing through Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
  • State-run process: You work directly with the state’s child welfare systems licensing division.
  • Support and services: You will work with a licensor who will provide limited support as you go through the licensing and placement processes.
• Licensing through a Private Child Placing Agency (CPA)
  • Private non-profit agencies: CPAs are private organizations contracted by the state to provide foster care services.
  • Support and services: CPAs typically provide more individualized support and resources. You are assigned a caseworker who guides you through the licensing and placement process, offering more hands-on assistance.

The main difference is the level of personalized support and resources available to families. The choice between DCYF and a CPA depends on the type of support that best fits your family's needs. While we don’t recommend one over the other, we encourage you to connect with both DCYF and multiple CPAs to determine the best fit for you.

Visit our selecting an adoption agency for more information.

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Step 3: Training

Before beginning the licensing process, you must complete Caregiver Core Training, a virtual course provided by The Alliance.

As you go through the licensing and home study process, it’s important to take trainings that will help you prepare to parent a child or youth who has experienced trauma and loss. Understanding how trauma impacts development and behavior will help you provide the support they need to heal and grow.

The Alliance offers several trainings to help you prepare to parent a child from foster care. Most private agencies require specific trainings before you can become licensed, so be sure to check their requirements.

Training is intended to:

• Help prospective parents understand the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of children and youth in foster care.
• Provide insight into the impact of trauma, loss, and attachment disruptions on a child’s development and behavior.
• Equip parents with practical strategies to support healing, build trust, and create a stable, nurturing environment.
• Foster connections with other adoptive families, child welfare professionals, and support networks.
• Ensure parents feel confident and prepared to meet the needs of their future child or teen.

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Step 4: Home study and licensing

About a home study: A home study is a comprehensive assessment required for families seeking to adopt or foster a child. Conducted by a licensed social worker (through a CPA) or a licensor (through DCYF), the home study ensures that a family is prepared to provide a safe, stable, and supportive environment. You can begin the home study process after you complete the pre-licensing training.

About licensing: Once you have completed the pre-licensing training, application, and have an approved home study you will receive your license.

The home study process in Washington:

1. Online application: The first step is completing an online application, where you will submit various documents, including financial records, birth certificates, health statements, and personal references and much more.
2. Interviews and home visits: Once your application is submitted, you will move into the interview and home visit stage with your caseworker or licensor.
   • The caseworker or licensor will conduct interviews with all household members to gather detailed information about:
     • Your motivations for adopting
     • Parenting style
     • Your parenting experience
     • Education and employment
     • How you will support a child or youth who has experienced trauma
     • Your family history and any personal experiences with trauma
     • Relationships and social life
     • Your expectations of a youth coming into your home
3. Home inspection: A physical assessment of your home will be conducted to ensure it meets safety and suitability standards.

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Step 5: "Meet” the youth and make inquiries

Meet the youth by viewing youth profiles.

Make inquiries on youth on our website who you would like to learn more about. We’ll work with you, your caseworker, and the youth’s caseworkers to help make connections.

Washington state families can help caseworkers—and youth—find you by:

• Creating an account.
• Creating a family profile.
• Engaging in our matching opportunities, including Adoption Consortium and Youth-Led Permanency Consultations.

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Step 6: Get to know each other

After submitting an inquiry, you will have a chance to speak with the youth’s caseworker to learn more about the youth and ultimately decide if it’s a good match to continue pursuing. This is also the time when you would receive more detailed background information on a youth, such as medical history.

When you and the youth’s caseworker determine you’re a good match, you and the youth will have a chance to spend time together and make sure you both feel excited about the match. Often completed through a series of calls, video chats, and in-person meetings, this is an important time for both you and the youth to learn more about each other.

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Step 7: Placement and post-placement supervision

Once a child officially moves into your home, the youth's caseworker will drop in for regular, in-home visits with you and the youth to see how things are going. Caseworkers refer to this period as "post-placement supervision.”

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Step 8: Finalization

Adoption finalization requires the support of an attorney. Your attorney and caseworker will work on your behalf to prepare the required legal paperwork for adoption. Your attorney will file an official petition for adoption and schedule a court date for you. On the scheduled court date, you will go to court as advised by your attorney. You may take as many family and friends as you want. You may also bring cameras and video to record this special event.

Once your adoption has been finalized, the youth will be a permanent, legal member of your family.

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Step 9: Post-adoption support

There are many resources available for families who have adopted from foster care in Washington and Oregon. You can work with your CPA or visit the state specific website to learn more;

Washington

Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Oregon

Oregon Post-Adoption Resource Center

Oregon Department of Human Services