Overview

The number of children in foster care in Washington state rises every year, but the State had 400 fewer foster homes in 2007 than two years prior.  In 2006, Amara responded to this crisis by launching our own foster care program for children who are not available for adoption and will most likely be returned to their birth families when the State has determined that it is in the children’s best interest to do so.  With our extensive history working successfully with the State as a foster licensing agency for families wishing to adopt from the foster care system, Amara’s leaders believed it was our obligation to extend our services to temporary foster care and thus contribute to the solution.

Children in Foster Care

On any given day, there are 11,000 children in foster care in Washington state.  Many have birthparents who are working diligently to become healthy parents and create safe home environments.  Others have parents whose parental rights are in the legal process of being terminated.  And more than 2,000 are legally free for adoption and waiting for a forever home.  Most children are in foster care due to severe abuse and neglect.

Because of their experiences, many children in foster care need extra support and time to heal, learn to trust, and catch up with their peers.  All must deal with the pain and confusion of having been removed from their homes.  Some face additional challenges such as infants at risk for withdrawal or developmental delays due to prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, or children who have suffered various degrees of abuse or neglect.  Regardless of their situations, all of these children can be helped by the stability, acceptance and nurturance of a foster family.  Our job is to find and prepare these foster parents, to provide them with the education and support they need to welcome and embrace these children, and to help them maintain healthy, safe environments until the children are returned home or placed for adoption.  We have no single definition of “family” and are proud to offer our services to everyone age 21 or older, regardless of marital status, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, home ownership, income, or education. 

At Amara, we believe effective matching of children with families is one of the most important things we do.  Ongoing conversations between foster families and staff promote optimal experiences for foster children and foster parents.  Amara knows that foster children grow, heal, and thrive in the stability and safety of a loving family.

Support to our Families

We strive to provide a high level of support to our foster parents to help ensure the best possible environment and experience for the entire family. Once a child joins your family, Amara will provide you with resources and support to help your family thrive. Your social worker will make frequent visits to your home, and will be available to help you with questions and concerns.  We’ll make sure you receive pertinent information and referrals to school programs, medical care, family therapists, or other services you might need. 

Amara’s approach to foster care aspires to become part of the nationally-recognized Mockingbird Family Model.  This concept is designed to support foster children and parents by creating a community of support through connection to other nearby foster families, respite care, resources, and agency staff.  Within the next two years, we hope to grow to a size that can support the effective use of this model. 

Parent Eligibility

You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect foster parent!  Amara is looking for foster parents who are:

• Flexible
• Willing to learn new things
• Able to accept a child who may be different than you
• Able to ask for help when needed
• Willing to put a child’s needs above your own
• Part of a strong support system

Amara has no requirements regarding ethnicity, home ownership, income, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or marital status, and licenses foster parents who are age 21 and older.  We do not accept applications from those who have current problems with drug/alcohol abuse, previous or active child abuse investigations, pending criminal charges, or conviction for a serious felony.

Process

• Application- Amara’s foster care process begins with an information packet for prospective foster families to review.  Parents are cordially invited to attend a free foster care information meeting; these are presented each month by agency staff.  Potential foster parents will then meet with an Amara social worker for an initial screening interview to determine if Amara’s foster care services will be the best match for their family.  If so, the family will be given an application packet to begin the home study process.
• Home Study/Family Development- Once the application is complete, an Amara Foster Care Specialist is assigned to each family.  This caseworker will meet with your family several times over the succeeding months, guiding you through the home study assessment and foster licensing process and preparing you for the child search, matching, transition and placement ahead.   Families must attend several trainings prior to home study approval, including the 30-hour P.R.I.D.E. course required for a Washington state foster license, Amara’s “Focusing on the Needs of the Child: Openness in Foster Care and Adoption,” and CPR/First Aid classes.  Your Amara caseworker will work with you to identify other trainings that will help prepare you for the types of children you will be welcoming into your home.  Each prospective foster parent must complete an autobiography following a standard template and must read, understand and agree to follow the laws regarding the care of foster children.  With the help of your caseworker and others in your community, your family must learn about the needs of children from various backgrounds and must understand and communicate your own vision of a foster family. 
• Child Search and Placement- Once a family has an approved home study and has been issued a foster home license, they are ready for the placement of a child.  On a daily basis Amara receives referrals for Washington state children who are seeking temporary placements.  Your caseworker will review each referral in an effort to find a potential match for your family.  When a potential match is identified, your caseworker will work closely with you and with the child’s state caseworker to provide you with as much information about the child’s background as possible.  Once you have agreed to welcome a foster child into your home, a transition plan will be determined and implemented. 
• Post Placement and Reunification- Once a foster child is placed in your home, Amara continues to monitor the placement and provide the guidance and support needed to help your blended family thrive. We provide ongoing family advocacy with state systems and remain readily available and quickly responsive to your questions and concerns.  We will do our best to keep you advised of changes in the child’s plans toward reunification or permanency.  We will help you understand how to help your foster children cope with birth parent visits.  When the State determines that a foster child will be reunited with his or her birth family or placed into an adoptive home, we will help your family adjust to the transition and support you through any periods of grief or loss that you may experience.

Costs

Amara’s foster care services are provided free of charge to foster families.

Financial Assistance

Washington state pays foster families a monthly cash disbursement based on each child’s age and level of special needs.  This is meant to help cover costs such as food, clothing, and housing.  Every foster child receives medical and dental coverage while in foster care and is eligible to receive additional services such as child care or physical or mental health therapy.  Foster children are also eligible for services from other community non-profits such as Treehouse for Kids , which provides services such as clothing and school supplies, tutoring assistance, or camp fees.  Your Amara caseworker will help you to locate such supports in the community. 

Getting Started

Request an information packet online, by email at amara@amaraparenting.org, or call (206) 260-1700.