[rm2000hg]

Hi - I live in Massachusetts and am interested in foster care. I had assumed all foster care went through DSS and had intended to contact them, however, I have seen some agencies recruiting foster parents. I was just wondering what the relationship is between private agencies and the state social services and what the benefit would be of either one? Also, would the circumstances be any different if you are primarily interested in providing respite care? Thank You!!

[aclee]

If you are interested in regular foster care, you have to go through DCF (they renamed themselves). The agencies are only approved for straight adoption, or therapeutic foster. If you are interested in therapeutic foster care, I highly suggest you speak with an agency. These are typically teenagers with more problems that need more attention and care. That is what most of the agencies whose paperwork I requested states...I'm also in MA, and will start to get approvals and take classes in January. It's a long process here, even though they need foster parents so badly.

Best of Luck!