Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Finding family: Foster children will begin new family journeys during public celebrations Nov. 17-19

National Adoption Day celebrations in Washington courts are rare opportunities for community members to share in the beginning of new family journeys for children being adopted during those events. For more than 100 foster children, that day is coming next week.

Washington courts will observe the state’s 12^th annual National Adoption Day celebration this week with events being held Nov. 17 – 19 in courts (and some community halls) around the state. The public and media are welcome at these events, whose goal is to raise awareness of the many foster children in Washington available and waiting to be adopted.

Of the more than 9,000 Washington children currently being cared for in foster homes, more than 1,400 are now legally free to be adopted into new families. With numbers of foster children increasing, adoption is one path toward safety and stability for these children. While adoptions usually happen in closed court, National Adoption Day celebrations allow willing families to share their stories and their special day, with the hope that other parents will consider looking into foster adoption.

To find a celebration near you — a statewide list of event days, times and locations — visit http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/adoptionDay/?fa=adoptionDay.home.

Celebrating counties this year include:

Whatcom                               Cowlitz                       King                             Skagit

Benton/Franklin                    Snohomish                 Kitsap                         Thurston

Grays Harbor                         Grant                          Spokane                     Yakima

Pierce                                      Island/San Juan         Clallam                       Clark  

Chelan/Douglas                                            

“When a foster child is adopted into a new family, their lives change forever. They find the stability and nurturing they need to become confident adults,” said King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, Chairman of the Washington State National Adoption Day Steering Committee, who was himself an adopted child. “Adoptive parents are special. By opening their hearts and their homes, they change the lives of these children and the communities where we live.”

The statewide National Adoption Day recognition has grown from an original six counties celebrating in 2005 to now 20 counties hosting or joining in events to honor adoption and the crucial difference it makes in the lives of children.

“It’s a joy to take part in these community events throughout our state, celebrating new families formed through adoption and raising awareness to the many children who still wait in foster care for permanency and stability,” said Jennifer Strus, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services’ Children’s Administration. “We’re proud to have partnered with Washington courts for so many years, on National Adoption Day and every day.”

National Adoption Day was founded by a handful of courts, child welfare agencies and businesses in 2000 to raise awareness of the thousands of foster children awaiting adoption. Washington’s statewide celebration was launched in 2005 by the state Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care and is co-sponsored by the Department of Social and Health Services Children’s Administration, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Superior Court Judges’ Association and by WARM 106.9’s Teddy Bear Patrol program.

CONTACT:  King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, chair, Washington State National Adoption Day Steering Committee, (206) 296-9295, dean.lum@kingcounty.gov ;  Lorrie Thompson, Communications Officer, Administrative Office of the Courts, (360) 705-5347, Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov.