[Momofonema]

Hello,

I just found this forum and was disappointed to see that no one had started a thread regarding their experiences with the MA Foster Care/Adopt system.

We have just finalized our homestudy with a private agency that works with the state. Can anyone offer us any opinions about their experience one way or another? We have met a lot of families that have grown through international adoption and are wondering if there is a reason why people either a. don't adopt through the MA state system, or b. don't talk about it.

If you are out there and can share, we would appreciate hearing from you...

Many thanks,

MJ

[aMarylandfamily]

Many of us have had negative experiences with Massachusetts ... they are known for reversing their decision on a family chosen if the foster parents who originally said no to being an adoption resource change their minds when it comes down to the child leaving them ... and

Massachusetts if one of the few states who do not pay for post placement services (i.e. reimbursement of homestudy fees associated with an out-of-state placement, post-supervision visits (which run anywhere from $250.00 - $500.00 x 3 required for finalization) and are very slow in responding ...

If you are in-state you may have a more positive experience.

Keep us posted - this board has lots of wisdom and knowledge to share!

[BlessedByTwo121]

I have adopted twice from DSS in MA and I have had a fantastic experinece. The social workers and lawyers that were involved were great. My daughter has post supervision visits with her birth mom and the birth mom is required to pay...not us. I have not had to pay for one single thing. My homestudy and the entire process was free. My oldest daughter requires intensive therapy due to abuse...its all covered under our insurance and her mass health as a back up. She receives a stipend and extra subsidy to pay for her mental health issues. The only thing we had to pay for was a PO box for the birth parents to send letters. It only cost us $25 a year. I am glad I chose to adopt through DSS. I know others have had bad experiences but with any agency there are going to be those who had a good experience and those who dont. Your mileage may vary in your experience.
One of the reasons why I chose adoption through DSS is the wealth of information you receive on the childs background..if it is available. I know each of my daughters family histories. I could fill a page up with info but I am going to stop for now...if you would like more info feel free to send me a pm.

[whoownsthis]

We're adopting from MA, but from out of state. We used a private agency in our own state, then found our kids on MA's photolisting page.

We've also been getting phone calls every other month from some DSS office asking if we're getting our foster care checks and if we have any other concerns. Once the adoption is complete, the case will be transferred to an Adoption Subsidy office and they will manage (making sure we continue to get the subsidy checks---invaluable since we have to pay for attachment therapy which isn't covered by our insurance). The post-placement supervision is handled by our county DSS office--we don't pay for that, it's paid by MA DSS through ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children). We DID have to pay for two trips to visit our kiddos and then a third to go get them, but their airfare was covered by the DSS office. It will also be paid for for the return trip to court next month to finalize. I read somewhere that MA refunds $4,000 for adoption expenses (homestudy, travel, etc.) once the adoption is complete, but our work is paying for it (plus the adoption tax credit).

I can't tell you what it's like foster-to-adopt from within MA, but the workers told us that the reason nobody adopts in MA is because those who do want to adopt are generally caucasians who want white infants, but the ones available for adoption are minority races and older than 2. Probably for that reason, they're matching lots of out of state families with MA children and sibling groups.

P.S. Great news: MA gives their kids FREE COLLEGE TUITION to any state college around the country! We just have to write to the DSS office and request this as soon as we have the new birth certificates. Yippee!

P.P.S. Our kids were already TPRed when listed on the photolisting (but without photos for some reason?). DSS had worked for 6 months to find a MA family, but couldn't, so they opened the search nationwide and we were chosen.