Amara

Amara is very poorly run. If you are looking to start a family, it would make more sense to work with the state directly than to try Amara. There are many wonderful agencies in the Seattle area but Amara is not one of them.

I wish that I would have researched other options before choosing Amara. The only good thing that came from working with Amara is I really appreciate my wonderful new agency. Good Luck prospective parents!

My husband and I adopted two of our children with Amara Parenting’s help. We choose them over other agencies due to their child-​centered approach: they are helping children find families, not parents find children; their focus on domestic foster adoption (although they also have a smaller infant adoption program); and their long-​time willingness to work with families that come in every shape and size.
We feel we were very well served by them. The preparation they offered prior to adoption was thorough and we have used what we learned in the many trainings they offer. We attended their monthly support group almost monthly, traveling an hour each way to do so. The social workers were there for us during the child search portion, helping us navigate that very emotionally fraught period. And, once we were placed with our children, they continued to support our family.
When we did have an issue with our social worker (they are bound to come up when dealing with such emotional issues), the way the agency responded to our concerns only increased my respect for them.
It’s been over two years since our children were placed with us, and I’ve directed many families interested in adoption to this agency. They are high-​caliber, maintain very high integrity, and are helping many children find permanent homes.

Amara is not place to go to if you are looking for an agency. We thought we would go through there foster to adopt program. They kept promoting African American Kids and showed a video depicting black children as negative and angry. When I shared my dislike of the video they labeled me as a problem. They continued to take my money and continued with the process. I finished all the state required training which took 6 months. When I question Amara about the likely hood of the child we were looking for we were told all that we wanted to hear. When problems and concerns were brought up with the process. We would not get a response from the staff. Be prepared to leave voice mails and have your child placements performed by the receptionist. If the placement coordinator is on vacation. We were in a disagreement with the Manager and she pulled our placement completely because of her personal issue she had with our family. She sent me a Long e-​mail bashing my character and the ability to be a good parent. Then had the nerve to send me an apology letter a week later after filing a complaint with the state. Amara is All about getting paid! Save your Money!

Amara adoption proudly serve caring adults regardless of marital status, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, home ownership, income or education.
They are pro-​mother and child, but is also on your side before during and after the adoption is complete as an advocate and resource for you.
Please consider this agency and adopting a wonderful child in need love and stability.

My friends who are in the adoption biz (as a therapist I know a lot of social workers) pointed me here when my wife and I were looking into adoption. I’d put more here, but it’s a pretty personal journey, so I’m going to leave it at that.
They’ve been nothing but stellar. If this is something you are looking into, I strongly suggest contacting them.