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Washington Courts: Press Release Detail
More than 130 children find new homes in National Adoption Day events in Washington courts
November 22, 2006
Foster children from many Washington communities and orphans from across the world found new homes during National Adoption Day celebrations in Washington courts this month. In the second year of the new statewide event, 139 children were adopted in 14 counties — more than twice as many children as in 2005, with more than twice as many courts participating.
Washington courts held events on Nov. 16, 17, 18, and one event (in Clark County) is set for Nov. 29. Participating courts include those in Benton/Franklin, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Island, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston and Yakima counties.
“An unprecedented number of adoptions were finalized in Washington during this year’s celebrations, and this event will continue to grow in the years to come,” said King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, who chairs the statewide National Adoption Day Steering Committee. “Thanks to the many adoption workers, judges, court workers and of course, adoptive parents, thousands of people have received the powerful message that there are foster children waiting for permanency and that adoption is indeed a wonderful thing.”
The goal of National Adoption Day is to raise awareness among potential adoptive parents that many foster children are available for adoption, and that the foster adoption process can be relatively inexpensive and includes many supports. The nationwide event was founded in 2000 by a coalition of businesses and agencies working to improve the lives of foster children.
Washington’s celebration is sponsored by the Washington Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care, with support from the state Department of Social and Health Services Children’s Administration, the Northwest Adoption Exchange, and the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association.
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CONTACT: Washington Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge, (360) 357-2049; King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, chairman of the state’s National Adoption Day Steering Committee, 206-296-9295; NAD Steering Committee members Lorrie Thompson of the Administrative Office of the Courts, (360) 705-5347; Paulette Caswell of Northwest Adoption Exchange, 800-927-9411 ext. 122; Pam Kramer, Adoption Program Manager for DSHS Children’s Administration, (360) 902-7968.
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