Thank you for taking the first step on the road to fostering and/or adopting a child from foster care. The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is honored to help you in your efforts to learn more about how to create a lifelong family for yourself and a child. We would be happy to provide you with information to help you start your journey into the world of fostering and/or adoption.
MARE was founded in 1957 to find “a place to call home” for children in foster care, including sibling groups. We do this by recruiting, educating, supporting and advocating for families throughout the adoption process.
Most of the children MARE serves are in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS). MARE works with DSS and private agencies that contract with DSS to find permanent, loving homes for these children. We provide our services at no cost to families.
Contact Information
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)
Dianne Curtin
(617) 542-3678
diannec@mareinc.org
Para información en español, contacte:
Dianne Curtin
(617) 542-3678
diannec@mareinc.org
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
In order to be considered as a parent for a child in foster care, there are two main steps. The first is a training class known as MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting). This is usually an 8-week course (one evening per week), held in various locations across the state. The second phase of the process, known as the "homestudy," consists of in-home visits that allow your social worker to come to know you as a family.
For more detailed information about the requirements to foster or adopt in Massachusetts, please contact the RRT at the number or e-mail address above.
For more information about adoption, you may also visit the “How to Adopt” page of our website: www.mareinc.org/howtoadopt.html.
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt
No.
Parent Support Groups
MARE staff are available 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, to assist with any adoption-related questions or needs that you may have. In addition to MARE’s services, there are a variety of supports available to families throughout Massachusetts. To find out more about these programs and services, please visit the “program” page on the MARE website at: www.mareinc.org/programs.html.
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
In Massachusetts, a family may work directly with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) or one of the agencies with whom DSS contracts. To obtain the contact information for the agencies that are located in your area and up-to-date information on MAPP trainings in your area, please contact the MARE by phone or e-mail using the contact information above.
Information on Children
There are 12,197 children in foster care in Massachusetts; 2,869 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.
Upcoming Events
Please contact the RRT at the above number or e-mail for information on upcoming events in Massachusetts or visit the MARE website event page at: www.mareinc.org/events/events.html.