Create a MARE account to receive information about adoption from foster care and to be in contact with a MARE staff who can guide you along the process. We offer regularly scheduled Explore Adoption webinars to help orient you to what to expect in this process and help you know which licensing agency to contact. Think of us as your friendly guide to the adoption process, ready to help you every step of the way. 

Your agency will invite you to an information session for you to learn more about the process with that agency. Depending on the agency, this will either be a virtual group information session or a one-on-one information session over the phone. If you selected DCF as your agency, you can view their upcoming information sessions here. 

After the information session, you will have a follow-up conversation with a social worker. If you decide to move forward in the process, you will receive an application which is to be returned to that agency. You will be assigned a social worker who will provide you with guidance and support throughout the process. 

Background record checks, including criminal and state child welfare histories are completed. Your home must meet housing standards established by state law and regulations. The agency seeks to ensure that your household is a safe environment for placing a child or sibling group.

Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) Training prepares adults to parent a child from foster care. You will learn about the needs of children who have been placed in foster care. The training covers such topics as communication, building self-esteem, child guidance, understanding behaviors, and working with agencies and courts. Concurrently, the caregiver licensing process begins. This is the time when a social worker will visit you, interview you and your household members and will request personal references. The caregiver licensing process is a mutual assessment process and it allows you to actively engage in the process. This process identifies your family’s strengths, and it will also identify the type of child(ren) who is the best match with your family. Once your training and assessment has been completed and approved, you become licensed to adopt. 

Now that you are licensed, you can register the caregiver assessment with MARE for access to our matching services. Social workers will match the needs of a child or sibling group with your strengths. You will be given all available information about the child so you can make an informed decision about moving forward. You and the child will have pre-placement visits and support prior to placement.  

Placement decisions are mutual and are based on the planned transition schedule. You receive support throughout the process. When the child is placed, you will work with the child’s social worker and with your social worker, issues are assessed and services located that will support the child and your family, as may be needed.  If the court has ended the parental rights of the biological family of the child placed in your home and the child has stayed with you for at least six months, the adoption can be finalized by the court. Based on the child’s needs and adjustment, this process may take longer.

Your adoption is officially legalized by the court! Support services continue to be available to you and your family after the adoption is legalized. Post adoption services can be sought when a child is approaching developmental milestones or when a crisis occurs in the family. Services are available on a periodic or ongoing basis.