Olympia, WA -- Social and Health Services Secretary Susan N. Dreyfus released the following statement on the case involving a foster child referred to as "Poca" in media reports.

"This child has waited too long for a permanent home. On average, it's about a year and a half before Washington foster children find their 'forever home.' We're going to continue to work hard to shorten that time. But there is no question in anyone's mind that four years is too long to wait, as this foster child has. We must focus on permanency for her."

The Department has referred the "Poca" case to the Attorney General's Office to file for termination of the biological parents' rights so that the child can be adopted. The Department will also bring her case back to the dependency court in Snohomish County to update the judge on plans to work toward permanency for "Poca" and make sure the judge is apprised of new information in the case.

As part of the permanency effort, the Department will offer the child's former foster parents the opportunity to go through the adoption home study process, conducted by an independent, third-party agency.

In conducting the home study, the contractor will be asked to specifically explore questions that have arisen over the former foster parents' relinquishment of a foster child they had previously adopted.

All persons, including foster parents, interested in adopting a child from DSHS are required to participate in a home study in an effort to find the most suitable adoption placement for the child.

As part of the permanency process for any child whose plan includes adoption, the Department finalizes its search for all viable options for permanent placement for the child. The search first focuses on identifying any available relatives, and then parties who may be interested in adoption of the child (such as foster parents and other previous caregivers or family friends).

The Department is requesting an expedited hearing on the permanent placement plan for the child. The child will remain in her current placement, where she is doing well, while the Department evaluates her permanency options and awaits further court proceedings regarding the child's status. Meanwhile, the Department is ensuring that the child's relationships continue with the former foster parents' family and the child's birth family.

Secretary Dreyfus has asked Children's Administration to keep her regularly briefed on "Poca," to ensure that the department is timely in finalizing permanency for the child.

"I am also initiating an independent, third-party investigation into this case," Secretary Dreyfus said. "I look forward to a thorough examination of the handling of this case by the Department, our partners and other agencies involved and I want it completed by the end of June. Then, as Gov. Gregoire directed, we will use this case as a lens through which we can focus with other partners on further improvements in the child welfare system.

"I will invite all key stakeholders who play a role in child welfare cases to join us in the review as we explore the practice, policy and management issues that can we can always improve. Our goal must be to do our absolute best for every child, every time. To do so means that all those whose work and lives connect to the children and families we serve be at the table with us," Secretary Dreyfus said.

"But first and foremost, we must focus on finding permanency for this child."

The Department puts a great emphasis on permanency for children. Adoptions have increased in the first six months of this fiscal year compared to a year ago – 952 adoptions, versus about 625 for the first six months of fiscal year 2008. When it's in the best interests of the child, the Department also emphasizes placing children with relatives (as "relative caregivers"). By fiscal year 2008, the portion of foster children in relative care increased to 38.7 percent, up from 30 percent in FY2000.

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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.