Children's Home Society of Washington

www.childrenshomesociety.org

International Adoption

This program provides information and education, home study and post placement reports for international adoptions. CHSW works with many international adoption agencies and provides pre adoption education that meets the Hague Convention requirements.

Contact Barbara Guerrero at barbarag@chs-wa.org or phone at 1 800-456-3339.

Foster-to-Adopt Program

Through this innovative program children are placed in homes with the intention that if they become legally free (the legal connection with their birth family has been ended), they will be adopted into their foster family. Program staff are diligent in their efforts to match families and children, thus avoiding multiple foster placements, which are damaging to a child. The purpose of the program is to find permanent homes for children soon after they come into foster care, when their casework plan indicates that they may be unable to return home. CHSW provides training and support throughout this process.

Email Judy Wood at judyw@chs-wa.org or Sherry Rosing sherryr@chs-wa.org, or phone (253) 472-3355 for more information about CHSW's foster care services.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a national signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, was established to encourage adoption from the foster care system. The program provides a full-time family recruiter to assist child welfare workers in identifying a safe, loving and permanent family for children awaiting adoption.

Email Judy Wood at judyw@chs-wa.org or Sherry Rosing sherryr@chs-wa.org, or phone (253) 472-3355 for more information about CHSW waiting children.

Strengthening Adoptive Families through Education

Strengthening Adoptive Families through Education (SAFE) is a post-adoption program offering family center services to families residing in Pierce County, who have adopted their children from the foster care system. The program offers school advocacy, counseling, support groups, parenting classes, relationship building training, information and referral services, parent to parent mentorship, along with other services as needed.

Email Debbie DeLine at debbied@chs-wa.org or Jennifer Dunlap jenniferd@chs-wa.org, or phone (253) 472-3355 for more information about CHSW lecture schedule and post adoption services.

Search and Reunion

Since 1896, Children’s Home Society of Washington has placed over 30,000 children in adoptive homes. In accordance with Washington law, all adoption files are sealed when the adoption is finalized. The law prohibits the release of identifying information directly to an adoptee or birth parent, who wants to search. Non-identifying information can be provided however. State law also recognizes the confidential intermediary process; in this process a person appointed by the court can facilitate an active search and make contact with the found party. Children’s Home Society of Washington, can act as a confidential Intermediary and can facilitate an active search for adoptees and birth parents separated through adoption.

Email Elsa Hominda at elsah@chs-wa.org or phone (253) 472-3355 for more information about searching for your birth parent or adopted child placed through CHSW.