COVID prolonged foster care stays for thousands, Illinois only state of 34 that kept pace, analysis shows

For months, King County, like many parts of the country, suspended nearly all hearings except emergency orders, which led to prioritizing child removals — sparked by child welfare reports or other red flags — over family reunifications. Adoptions slowed to a trickle. Services needed for reunification — psychiatric evaluations, random drug testing, group therapy, mental health counseling, housing assistance, and the public transportation to access these services — also were limited.