Washington State Courts Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM: Lorrie Thompson, Administrative Office of the Courts November 18, 2020 (360) 705-5347 [email protected]

National Day 2020: A Pandemic Doesn’t Change the Dream of for Foster Children

Diamond is a 14-year-old artist who has filled more than 50 sketchbooks. Marina is a shy 10-year-old who likes to communicate through writing letters. Cordell, 13, loves the outdoors, animals, and recently discovered magnet fishing. Seven-year-old Jillantie likes nothing better than running really fast, shooting hoops and playing outside. Roman, 16, wants to be a blacksmith or a car mechanic and would love to find a family of gamers who might adopt him.

These children are among the nearly 1,200 Washington state foster children who are ready to be adopted and are waiting to join their forever homes. This month, Washington joins the nation in celebrating National Adoption Month and Adoption Day on Nov. 21.

“It’s important for interested in adopting to know these children are here and available, and for communities to know that adoption cases are still going forward,” said King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, Chair of the Washington State National Adoption Day Steering Committee. “Family is a crucial foundation for children as they grow, develop and move into adulthood. This life-changing decision to create a new family is well worth celebrating at any time.”

“Every deserves permanency,” said Ross Hunter, Secretary for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). “We strive to find a safe, stable home for each and every one of the children in our care. We are thankful for the families who have opened their homes, staff who have worked tirelessly on behalf of families and the community for continuing to partner with us.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced most Washington courts and communities to postpone their usual celebrations until next year – though a small number of virtual events or mailed recognitions are planned. For instance, the public is welcome to view the King County Superior Court celebration at noon on Friday, Nov. 20, at the Zoom webinar link https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/93179263990. With or without celebrations, foster children are still in need of new familie, and adoption workers and courts are still working with parents to complete adoption cases. 1

This unusual year will be Washington’s 16th statewide celebration of National Adoption Day (some courts have celebrated longer – for instance, King County is celebrating its 19th National Adoption Day). In that time, more than 2,400 foster children have been adopted during the special celebrations held in courts and community halls. To learn more about National Adoption Day in Washington state, visit http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/adoptionDay/?fa=adoptionDay.home. To learn more about children available for adoption and steps to adoption, visit the Northwest Adoption Exchange at https://www.nwae.org/, and the Department of Children, Youth and Family (DCYF) at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption/steps-to-adoption.

National Adoption Day was founded in the U.S. in 2000 by a handful of courts, child welfare agencies and businesses to raise awareness of the thousands of foster children awaiting adoption. It is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Washington’s statewide celebration was launched in 2005 by the Washington Supreme Court Commission on Children in and is co-sponsored by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Superior Court Judges’ Association, and by WARM 106.9’s Teddy Bear Patrol program.

CONTACT: Lorrie Thompson, Senior Communications Officer, Administrative Office of the Courts, (360) 705-5347, [email protected]; Debra Johnson, Director of Communications, Department of Children, Youth and Families, (360) 789-7926, [email protected]; King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum, chair, Washington State National Adoption Day Steering Committee, (206)477-1397, [email protected].

2