Families Building Community Program - Amara
See how we reduce the trauma of foster care
Diverse adults and a child gathered outdoors around a picnic table full of food, demonstrating supportive partnerships between parents and caregivers

Families Building Community Program

Parents & Caregivers – we welcome you!

Children in foster care experience less trauma when they see their parents and caregivers working together as a team. The Families Building Community Program serves families involved in the child welfare system in Washington state, and those who are at-risk of becoming involved, to support families and to bring parents whose children are placed in foster care and those caring for the children (foster and kinship caregivers) together to create supportive partnerships to best care for the child(ren).

Social workers – if you would like to make a referral, please complete our online intake form.

Families Building Community Program: An Introduction

We offer support for parents throughout the child welfare experience, pre-dependency through post-reunification, and to those whose children are placed in foster/kinship care and the caregivers caring for the children.

Our services include:

  • Coaching and mentoring for parents
  • Facilitated meetings: in person, virtual, and via written communications
  • Caregiver and parent relationship support provided by experienced peer mentors

Goals

  • Offer coaching & mentoring to parents before child(ren) are removed
  • Support for gentler transitions into foster care, when necessary
  • Help families navigate the journey to reunification
  • Support child and family wellbeing
  • Strengthen relationships
  • Increase caregiver and parent engagement
  • Help families build their own communities of support

How the FBCP works:

Step 1: Parents are matched with a Parent Mentor. Caregivers are matched with a Caregiver Mentor.

Step 2: Parents and caregivers work with their mentors to reduce barriers to building child-centered partnerships.

Step 3: Mentors work with participants to decide how they want their child-centered partnerships to unfold.

Step 4: Parents and caregivers work with their mentors to engage in facilitated contact with each other.

Step 5: Parents and caregivers work with their mentors for further community-building and resource navigation until they have all the tools they need. 

What will we talk about?

We can talk about:

  • Child’s Routine
  • Child’s Likes & Dislikes
  • Family Traditions & Cultures
  • Communication

What will not be discussed?

We won’t talk about:

  • Case plan
  • Visitation
  • Personal information you are not comfortable sharing

Who will be there?

These people will be there:

  • Child’s Parent(s)
  • Caregiver(s)
  • Parent Ally
  • Caregiver Mentor

Parents United

Parents with foster care system experience are invited to join us at our free Parents United events. These fun events are for parents who have experienced the child welfare system at any time, facilitated by parents who have experienced child welfare. They offer parents the opportunity to build their own communities of support. Some of our past events include dinner and a drive-in movie and a cooking class. 

Family Support Services

Amara’s Family Support Services provide free peer support and resource navigation for families in Pierce County. Our mission is to promote the safety and well-being of children and families through trusting and collaborative partnerships between parents/caregivers and peer navigators/certified peer counselors to provide strengths-based, affirming and culturally responsive support. This program is open to Pierce County parents and caregivers who are caring for children ages 0 – 18. 

Family Support Services

Resources for Parents

Most kids go back home to their parents after being in foster or kinship care. Until then, we want to help make sure you and your kids feel safe and supported. Amara offers several voluntary programs and opportunities to help reduce the trauma families experience in the foster care system. 

Resources for Parents

FBCP FAQs

I’m a parent or a caregiver of a child placed in foster care. How can I participate in the program?

Please send us an email at buildingcommunity@amarafamily.org to get started.

What is a parent mentor?

A Families Building Community Program parent mentor is a parent who has experienced the child welfare system first hand. The parent’s lived experience and program training help them support parents whose child(ren) has/have been placed in out-of-home care by child welfare, and who want to connect with their child’s/children’s caregiver to help support their child(ren). 

What is a caregiver mentor?

A Families Building Community Program caregiver mentor is a foster or kinship caregiver with lived experience in caring for children experiencing out-of-home care and in building relationships with parents so together they can best support the child(ren) they all care about. Caregiver mentors are trained in strengths-based relationship building. 

When in the life of a case can a referral be made?

Referrals are welcome at any point in a case. We have found that building partnerships between parents and caregivers is beneficial at any time, but is particularly needed any time a transition is planned for a child.

Who can initiate a referral?

Anyone involved in a child welfare case can refer a parent or caregiver who they feel would benefit from the Families Building Community Program. We will then reach out to the individual to invite them to participate.

How can I make a referral to the Families Building Community Program?

You can make a referral by completing our online intake form. If you have questions, please email us at buildingcommunity@amarafamily.org. We will respond as quickly as possible.

I’m an attorney, social worker, child advocate, etc. Can I attend a Families Building Community Program conversation involving my client?

In order to create a relaxed, friendly environment for the conversation between parents and caregivers, attendance is limited to participants and their Families Building Community Program mentors.

Can children and youth participate in the Families Building Community Program?

While it is important for children to see their parents and caregivers working together, Families Building Community Program conversations include only adults. However, participants are encouraged to engage with one another in front of the child, such as a bedtime Zoom story or a park meetup.

Questions? Email us at buildingcommunity@amarafamily.org. 
 
Click here for more resources

 

Amara occasionally texts clients to best coordinate our services. By agreeing to receive services from Amara, you agree to receive individualized communications from us via text. Clients can always opt out of receiving texts by contacting us at amara@amarafamily.org.