Mark Iverson and the staff at Adoption Services has offered legal support to foster families in Washington and Idaho for over 15 years.  Adoption Services offers guidance and support to foster families throughout the process.

Jan Lammers is an adoption consultant at Adoption Services.  Ms. Lammers worked as a financial consultant with DCFS for 17 years.  She offers additional support to foster families in applying for adoption support.

Foster Parent Adoption:

• Foster Parents Needed;
  There are children in need of homes, but there are not enough licensed foster families available.  The states of Washington and Idaho remove children from abusive and neglectful home environments. The child is then placed in a foster home with licensed foster parents. The birth parents of the child are offered services to reunite the child with their birth parents. In most cases, however, the birth parents are unable to provide adequate care and the parental rights of the birth parents are terminated.
• Foster Adopt Program:
  The state offers prospective adoptive couples the opportunity to participate in a foster/adopt program. The prospective adoptive couple attends classes and becomes licensed as a foster family. A child is then placed with them. If the reunification services for the birth parent(s) are successful, the child may, in fact, be removed and returned to the birth parents. However, if the birth parents' rights are terminated, the child is then free for adoption, and once the family is approved by a caseworker, the family may proceed with an adoption of the child.
   

When do I retain an attorney in a foster parent adoption?
You may retain an attorney at any point in the process.  Foster parents often contact an attorney after the child is placed in their home.  The attorney explains the adoption process and assists by answering any questions.  The attorney also assists the family in creating and negotiating the terms of an open adoption agreement. Once the parental rights are terminated and the child is legally free, the attorney facilitates a final adoption hearing. 

Attorney fees and costs:
Attorney fees and costs are paid by the state.  There is no charge to the foster parents.

How do I become licensed as a foster parent?
For more information on how to become a foster parent contact the following state agency:

• Washington:
  If you are interested in the foster/adopt program through the state of Washington, you may contact the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) at (509) 363-3500.
• Idaho:
  If you are interested in the foster/adopt program through the State of Idaho, you may cotact Children and Family Services at (208) 334-6800.

Frequently asked questions:
For answers to frequently asked questions go to frequently asked questions by foster parents.

Free consultation:
The foster parents retain a private adoption attorney to assist with the adoption finalization.  The attorney explains the adoption process and is an advocate for the adoptive family  If you would like to retain an attorney for the purpose of finalizing an adoption of a child placed by the  statstate of Washington or Idaho contact us at 509-462-3678 or 800-338-8273 or via email at mark@adoptionlegalservices.org

Testimonial
Thanks to every one of you for what you do to help support adoptive parents during this very anxious time. Our two youngest babies came to us through the foster care system. Mark was so amazing to be available to answer every question and concern and Jan was our adoption support coordinator/life saver. I highly recommend this firm to EVERYONE I know that is thinking of adoption!!! - Yohe family