State Contact

Lindsay Rajic, MSW
Adoption Support Program Manager
P.O. Box 45713/
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: 425-463-6974
E-mail: Lindsay.Rajic@dcyf.wa.gov

List of Adoption Support Consultants
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption-support-program/program-contacts

AB BC MB NB NL NT NS NU ON PE QC SK YT AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Adoption resources on the web:

https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid): 
https://www.hca.wa.gov/

Washington’s adoption assistance: 
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption-support-program

Revised Code of Washington Title 26, Chapter 33 (RCW 26.33)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.33

Revised Code of Washington Title 74, Chapter 13A (RCW 74.13A)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=74.13A

Washington Administrative Code Title 110, Chapter 80 (WAC 110-80) 
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=110-80

In Washington Special needs means the specific factors or conditions that may prevent the child from being adopted unless the department

provides adoption support services. To be considered a child with special needs the following three statements must be true:

  1. One or more of the following factors or conditions must exist:
    • The child is of a minority ethnic background;
    • The child is six years of age or older at the time of application for adoption support;
    • The child is a member of a sibling group of three or more;
    • The child is a member of a sibling group in which one or more siblings meets the definition of special needs;
    • The child is diagnosed with a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability; or
    • The child is at risk for a diagnosis of a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability due to prenatal exposure to toxins, a history of serious abuse or neglect, or genetic history.
  2. The state has determined that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the biological parent; and
  3. The department or child-placing agency must document that, except where it would be against the child’s best interests, the department or child-placing agency made a reasonable but unsuccessful effort to place the child for adoption without adoption support.

Monthly maintenance payments are determined through a discussion and negotiation process between adoptive parents and department representatives based on the needs of the child and family circumstances. The negotiation starts at $0 and cannot exceed the legislative cap depending on age.

Since July 1, 2017 it is

  • For ages 0 – 4 years old, up to 80% of the foster care rate
  • For ages 5 – 9 years old, up to 90% of the foster care rate
  • For ages 10 – 18 years old, up to 95% of the foster care rate.

Current foster care rates are based on levels:

Level 1: Basic Maintenance Foster Care
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Support Needs: Chronic Physical Health
Level 4: Support Needs: Developmental Disability
Level 5: Support Needs: Developmental Disability & Chronic Physical Health
Level 6: Support Needs: Moderate Mental Health
Level 7: Support Needs: Complex Mental Health

Age 0-5:

  • Level 1: $722
  • Level 2: N/A
  • Level 3: $1,407
  • Level 4: $1,749.50
  • Level 5: $2,092
  • Level 6: $2,434.50
  • Level 7: $2,777

Age 6-11:

  • Level 1: $846
  • Level 2: N/A
  • Level 3: $1,531
  • Level 4: $1,873.50
  • Level 5: $2,216
  • Level 6: $2,558.50
  • Level 7: $2,901

Age 12+:

  • Level 1: $860
  • Level 2 (Support Needs: Adolescent Low Care Needs): $1,202.50
  • Level 3: $1,545
  • Level 4: $1,887.50
  • Level 5: $2,230
  • Level 6: $2,572.50
  • Level 7: $2,915

Adoption support typically continue until a youth reaches 18 although they may be extended to age 21 if a youth has not yet completed high school (or high school equivalent), is a full-time high school student, and continues to be dependent on the adoptive family for support.

If the youth was adopted between the ages of 16 and 17, and meets one of the criteria established for extended adoption support, the youth may be eligible to continue receiving adoption support until age 21. The parents will receive an application for this prior to the youth’s 18th birthday. 

See the DCYF web page about extending adoption support past the youth’s 18th birthday. 
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption-support-program/youth-turning-18

Washington statute does not allow the Adoption Support Program to reimburse parents for the cost of a child’s residential treatment. However, child welfare services, including residential care when the child is in DSHS custody, may be available through other Children’s Administration or other DSHS programs.  Adoptive parents can contact their adoption support program manager for information about how to access such services. The Adoption Support Program may be able to provide preauthorized counseling to assist with the transition back to the family home.

Parents can call the state adoption office (800-562-5682) if they have problems or questions.

Washington has the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program (RGAP). This funding is available to relatives licensed as foster parents who assume legal guardianship of the foster child. The guardianship agreement must be fully executed before legal establishment of the guardianship.  To read more about resources for kinship caregivers visit, https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/foster-parenting/kinship-caregivers