WSIPP: Publication

Report Detail
Full Report Executive Summary	February 2001
Encouraging Adoption of Children in Foster Care: Trends in Washington's Financial Assistance Program Lee Doran, Lucy Berliner
Washington State’s Adoption Support Program encourages families to adopt children from the child welfare system who, because of age, race, physical condition, or emotional health, are considered difficult to place. The program was established by the 1971 Legislature and is intended to remove financial barriers to adoption. Adoption assistance includes help with legal costs, fees for adoption, ongoing monthly maintenance for adopted children with special needs, medical coverage, counseling reimbursements, and training opportunities for adoptive parents. The 2000 Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to review the Adoption Support Program (EHB 2487 §607 (5)). Document ID: (01-02-3903)

Keywords: adoption, child protection, child welfare, children, early childhood, financial assistance, financial incentives, foster care, infants and youth, out-of-home placements, substitute care