Camarillo couple Karen and Kurt Summa with their adopted son Justin. The Summa's credit newer laws w

Camarillo couple Karen and Kurt Summa with their adopted son Justin. The Summa's credit newer laws with giving stability to their now 2–year–old son. The Summas were on the county's adoption waiting list for nine months when social workers introduced them to 3–month–old Justin. The Summas are the only family Justin has ever known. He's a happy and well–adjusted child, said Karen, 40, a customer service representative for Advance Motion Control in Camarillo. Even with stricter state and federal laws, Justin's adoption took two years, the delay a result of a judge extending the time for Justin's teenage mother to regain custody. The extended wait caused some sleepless nights, including a short talk about returning Justin to foster care. They stuck it out, a decision Karen said they are glad they made. It takes less time these days to adopt a child, a signal that state and federal laws designed to streamline the process are starting to work. States receive federal money to encourage more adoptions and offer more support services for biological and adoptive parents. Are these changes making a difference in Ventura County? ''Yes,'' said Sally Allen, regional manager for the county's adoption services. DIGITAL IMAGE SHOT ON 12.17.2000 (Photo by Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)