EUGENE, Ore. -- A new chapter is evolving in the more than 60 years of history at Holt International, a Eugene-based global adoption agency. 

Holt announced Thursday that it's merging with another leading-adoption agency in the Pacific Northwest: World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP). The Seattle organization will take on the name "Holt International Children's Services" on April 1. 

With the merger, Holt International will not only continue its efforts in finding homes for children across the world, 16 countries to be exact, but the combined company will have a presence in 17 states when the merger goes into effect in April.

Now, between the two companies, they have more than 100 years of experience in child welfare and adoption. 

This merger comes at a time when international adoptions are significantly declining, according to Holt International. Holt said there are also 10,000 children in Washington state right now in foster care.