Adoption process

Step 1: Adoption Information Meeting

Attending an adoption information meeting is the first step for all families considering adopting through Amara. You’ll learn about our services, hear from an adoptive family who adopted a child from foster care, and have the opportunity to have your questions answered. Application packets will be available at the end of the meeting.

Please check our calendar for the next adoption information meeting and contact us to reserve your spot:  send us an email or call 206.260.1700.

Step 2: Application

Our application is fairly extensive for several reasons.  Most importantly, it helps us to understand whether Amara is a good match for the services you seek. If we are uncertain of our ability to help you meet your goals, we invite you to a phone or in-person interview.

Your application materials also provide us with an overview of your family so we can appropriately tailor our services. And your application helps us decide which Adoption and Foster Care Specialist to assign to your family.

Step 3: Family Preparation and Home Study

Once we have processed your application, you’ll begin the Family Preparation and Home Study phase of your adoption process. This includes many steps such as:

Individual and joint interviews with your Adoption and Foster Care Specialist

Education through readings and training sessions, and

Medical and financial reports, autobiography templates, parenting plans, home safety inspection, and other family-centered preparation pieces

The goals for this phase are to prepare you for parenting and adoption, to certify your home for a Foster Home License, and to complete the legal adoption Home Study Document or pre-placement report.

Step 4: Child and Family Matching and Placement

We begin the search for child and family match possibilities once you have an approved Home Study Document and have been issued a Foster Home License.  Throughout this “search” or “waiting” period, we continue to provide support and to offer and recommend preparatory education and training for parenting.

When we identify a potential match, we work closely with you and with the child’s guardian (the State or the child’s birth parents) to ensure that everyone understands what is known about the child’s history, birth family ties, current care-giving situation, legal case, and unique needs. We also communicate about the strengths, desires and commitment of your family. The information available often varies, but a placement decision will only be made with the full agreement of your family and of the child’s guardian.

Following a placement decision, a transition plan is developed and implemented to help the child get to know your family and move into your home.

Step 5: Post-Placement and Finalization

Once a child is placed in your home, we visit on a regular basis to ensure that you and your children are adjusting well to this change.  We are readily available to provide support and guidance toward the health and stability of your newly blending family. And we help you prepare for the future, including the legal finalization of your child’s adoption.