Children from the state foster care system. We place children of all ages and races. Almost all children in this program have experienced child abuse or neglect and, therefore, have some degree of special needs.

Yes. Families in Washington and Oregon who are open to accepting “legal risk” placements (the family must be licensed for foster care because the child is not yet legally free), who are open to sibling groups, or who are willing to consider referrals of children with significant special needs (e.g., FAS/FAE, prenatal drug exposure, developmental delays and other issues) greatly increase their opportunities for being selected for younger children.

Referrals can be as quick as a month or as long as a year or more. The length of the wait is dependent upon the flexibility of the family in terms of the age, gender, and ethnicity of the child as well as their openness to accepting special needs.

Children of all races are available. The majority of children available for placement are African American, Caucasian or racially mixed.

All children have experienced inadequate parenting as well as “losses” in their lives due to separation from their birth parents, extended family, and familiar surroundings, or multiple changes in caretakers, resulting in emotional or behavioral problems of varying degrees. Some children have been exposed to drugs or alcohol before birth resulting in short-term or long-term medical or developmental issues. Some children are educationally or developmentally delayed due to the experiences of abuse or neglect and multiple changes in their living arrangements. Some children require the help of professional staff such as therapists, special education personnel, etc., to help them make the transition and stabilize in their adoptive family.

Yes, a family will be required to travel for at least one visit (and usually more) with the child, wherever the child is located in the United States. Additional travel may be necessary at the time of placement.

No, social workers like to see adoptive parents who have some sort of parenting experience. The “mix” of needs between your current children and adoptive children being considered for your family will be kept in mind when making referral and placement decisions. You will be included in that decision process.

The program is open to singles or couples of any age above 25. Married couples should be married for at least one year. There is no specific “income standard” but adoptive families must have adequate income and financial resources to meet their living expenses. Some states where WACAP works will also consider nontraditional families. Both singles and nontraditional families need to be open to children age 6 and older, to children of either gender, and to children with special needs.

Not for legally free children. The willingness to be licensed does increase a family’s opportunities to be considered for a greater number of children—often those who are younger and have less severe problems.

Although it’s not mandatory for families to become licensed for foster care, completion of foster/adopt parent preparation classes is a requirement for families to be approved for the US Kids Program. It’s helpful to understand the backgrounds and common behaviors associated with children available for adoption from the U.S. child welfare system, and the commitment to complete such a course is viewed in a very positive light by the waiting children’s social workers. It also provides an opportunity to connect with a group of other families interested in parenting children with similar backgrounds.