How we help families

Learn how we can help on your adoption journey

With over 40 years of expertise in child welfare we provide information and support to families like you who are looking to parent from foster care in Washington state.

Our programs and services are collaborative, and youth informed. We partner with state child welfare agencies and engage youth in the family finding process.

Information and personalized support for Washington families

Support for navigating the adoption process

We’re here to help you navigate the adoption process from considering adoption to adoption finalization. Check out our nine-step adoption from foster care guide developed to simplify the steps in the adoption process for Washington families.

Information sessions

Still considering adoption from foster care or just starting your journey? Join NWAE’s adoption experts for an engaging LIVE online presentation that will tell you what you need to know about the adoption from foster care process in Washington. Join us for an upcoming information session.

One-on-one meetings

Have a specific question? Schedule a meeting at any point in your adoption journey to get one-on-one support. One-on-one meetings are 30-minute virtual or phone conversations with our family engagement specialist. Schedule a meeting with us.

Accounts and family profiles with Northwest Adoption Exchange

If you have a foster parent license or have completed a home study in Washington state, you can access even more with an account on Northwest Adoption Exchange. Once completed, you’ll have access to all our services including additional, Washington only, youth profiles.

Registering for a family account is a two-step process, which includes creating a secure profile that is viewable only by caseworkers. Your profile shares photos and written information about you, your family, and your preferences.

By viewing your profile, caseworkers can learn about you and identify if you might be a match for a youth who they support.

Opportunities to match with youth

Youth-Led Permanency Consultations

For families with an account, our Youth-Led Permanency Consultation program aims to help you expand your opportunities for youth and caseworker connection, while giving youth the opportunity to engage in their own permanency planning.

We’ll help you create a short and engaging video that can also be added to your online family profile. Your video will be shared directly with youth ages 12 and up and caseworkers—helping them get to know you and identify possible matches.

Videos are created during a recorded video meeting with a member of our team. Contact us to learn more or sign up to create a family video today.

Washington State Adoption Consortium

For families with an account, Adoption Consortium is a virtual, every other month meeting to inspire matches between families like you and the youth we serve. View upcoming dates and sign up to present to caseworkers.

Ways to learn about youth

Youth profiles and In-Depth Profiles

Youth profiles are public, strengths-based narratives of youth in foster care who are seeking permanency. In-Depth Profiles are collaborative projects that support a youth in sharing their own voice, personality, and interests with prospective adoptive families.

When viewing youth profiles, look for the pink In-Depth Profile badge to view these unique projects. When logged in, families with an account will be able to view additional, Washington only, youth profiles.

Inquiring on youth to learn more

Families who are licensed to adopt can take the next step to learn more about a youth with a profile by submitting an inquiry. At the bottom of each youth profile, you’ll see a pink button that says, “Make an inquiry.”

Making an inquiry tells us that you are interested in learning more about a youth so that we can connect you with the youth’s caseworker.