“Relationships are what change people.” Shrounda Selivanoff, a parent and kinship caregiver who also is the Director of Public Policy at the Children’s Home Society of Washington shared this important truth as a panelist at our Speaking of Change conversation on “How Parent and Caregiver Partnerships Can Help Children Thrive.” Amara’s Speaking of Change
Category: Kinship Care
Kin Connections to Serve Kinship Families in King and Pierce Counties
One of the new programs Amara is launching this fall will directly help kinship families in our King and Pierce county communities. Kin Connections will help kinship caregivers connect to the resources and supports they need to parent relative children, many of whom often arrive in their caregivers’ homes with little notice. To help ease
Washington Will No Longer Pursue Parents of Kids in Foster Care for Child Support
The state of Washington will no longer attempt to collect child support payments from parents whose children have been placed in licensed out-of-home care. The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families ended this practice as of September 1, 2022. A recent study found that referring parents to child support collection lengthened the time
State Begins Child-Specific Licensing for Kinship Caregivers
The state is taking steps to make it easier for extended family and close family friends to receive monthly foster care payments when they care for children in foster care who cannot live with their parents. This kind of caregiving is called kinship care. It is often preferred for kids in foster care because these
Meet the Amara Kinship & LGBTQIA+ Support Team!
Our incredible team brings years of professional and personal experience in supporting kids and families experiencing the child welfare system. Trey Rabun, Associate Director of Kinship and Community Services Trey is the Associate Director of Kinship and Community Services at Amara. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hampton University, a master’s degree in Human Development and
$2.5 Million Grant Will Support Kinship Caregivers in King County
SEATTLE – Jan. 13, 2022 – A new $2.5 million five-year federal investment in kinship families will support children and families experiencing out-of-home care in King County. Local nonprofit Amara and its partners, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the University of Washington School of Social Work (UWSSW), are one
WA State Increases Support to Kinship Caregivers
Washington State recently passed SB 5151 which allows for “child specific licensing.” This law will greatly increase the amount of resources and support kinship caregivers receive. By making it easier for relatives and close community members to serve as caregivers, we can support safety and stability for kids.
LGBTQIA+ Youth in Foster Care Deserve to Thrive
At Amara, we believe that we have a role in supporting youth in foster care to thrive by supporting relationships and authentic connections that center Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ identities.
Every Child Deserves a Best Start – Even During a Pandemic
“I wish this program was around when I started fostering!” This is just one sentiment Danielle Hammond, Amara’s Child Screening and Family Support Specialist for Amara hears when she connects with caregivers. Read more about the impactful work Danielle does to support development of youth in foster care.