Who Are We?

The Refugee and Immigrant Children's Program finds foster homes for refugee and immigrant children who are unable to live with their birth families. Various reasons include:

• Abuse and neglect
• Family breakdown resulting from the stress of living in a new culture
• Separation from parents because of war and civil disorder

Program Goals

The goal of this program is to help children find a permanent solution to their situations as soon as possible. Depending on each circumstance, the long-term solution could be one of the following outcomes:

• Reunification with birth family
• Adoption
• Guardianship
• Living with a relative
• Long-term foster care until the child becomes self-sufficient.

What Do We Do?

• Recruit and license persons who want to become foster parents
• Provide case work support to foster parents
• Guardianship
• Help with the adoption process

Who Do We Serve? We serve the refugee and immigrant children of any national origin who are unable to live with their parents. Some children are referred to us by DSHS or individuals in the community. Others are referred to us directly from refugee camps and enter the United States as unaccompanied minors. We now serve children from several immigrant communities. We are able to serve children from birth to 18 years of age in King and Snohomish Counties.

Who Can Be A Foster Parent?

Anyone 21 years or older, living in King or Snohomish County, may apply to become a foster parent. Cross-cultural and child rearing experience are very desirable.

Is Financial Assistance Available?

Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to cover expenses incurred in the care of foster children. They also receive medical coupons which cover the medical and dental needs of foster children.

The Refugee and Immigrant Children's Program program is always in need of persons to provide short-term and long-term foster care.

If you have the interest and ability to open up your home to a homeless
child, please call 206/694-5713 for more information.

En Español llame 206/694-5755