497 Adoptions and Going Strong

by Andrew Schneidler

The Children’s Law Center of Washington is a RetailROI partner that expedites children in the foster care system whose parental rights have been terminated be placed in new families. They do this by cutting the red tape in the court system so when an adoptive family is identified and matched, the full adoption can take place much faster rather than having the child stuck in the foster system.

During the COVID shutdown, adoptions at the court are completely different.  Now, instead of large group gatherings with flowers and balloons and signs to celebrate in the courtroom, the adoption hearings are conducted via written sworn testimony or conducted over the telephone. Because of this, I always find myself a little sad because I remember how special it was to Michele and I when adopted our kids and how wonderful it was to be surrounded with friends and family in the courtroom when the judge said “It is final!”

The little guy in the picture above is adoption number 490. This particular family was creative and found a way to celebrate: they arranged for a drive-by car parade where friends, family, social worker – and even adoption attorneys 😊 – drove by and honked and waved at this sweet boy as a way to celebrate the day this sweet boy found permanence. 

If you read his shirt, you can see it says “Peace Out Foster Care” – and we thought that was just perfect!  Defenders – we were able to help this boy and his family because YOU support our efforts

RetailROI plays a significant role in that for the last several years we have helped fund a paralegal to help multiply the speed in which the red tape can be cut through so more adoptions can be completed. Thank you to everyone at RetailROI and those of you that support SuperSaturday. It is because of you that this little boy is no longer in the state system and has a forever home. Thank you.

To support The Children’s Law Center of Washington directly, you can do so here.