[loveajax]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but DH and I have a three year old (adopted) daughter and have been thinking about adopting again.

I was wondering if MA has an adoption from foster care "program" (sorry to be so ignorant in the terms). We would like to adopt an infant (not necessarily a newborn) and I am just curious if this is something we could even do (without fostering). My friend in CA is doing this...but I heard that there were really no infants "available" for adoption in MA thru DSS (btw, we are racially open). TIA!

[EZ2Luv]

Yes MA does have a program, they just no longer have photolistings. Let me get that info for you and I will PM you.

EZ

[plum93]

There is a photo listing a the MARE site (Mass Adoption Resource) if you register.

[EZ2Luv]

Thanks plum93. I knew they had stopped the one photolisting,.
I ll have to check that out. I guess you answered Loveajax question.

EZ

[loveajax]

Thank you, guys! Would I be able to use a homestudy (from my agency) or is there a different process (if you know)?

[lahdh4]

Love, I don't know about the homestudy but one of the Supervisors at work adopted both of his kids from foster care. I think at the time both were around 2.
good luck

[loveajax]

Thank you, Leigh!!!

[lahdh4]

and I have to say that they are both too cute for words and from what R was saying it didn't take long for either of them.

[loveajax]

Thank you guys for referring me to MARE. It looks like I can do my HS thru the agency we used previously (which is good since they have all our b/g info already) and then I guess I can "register."

[MassachusettsMom]

Just be aware that MARE usually doesn't have babies/toddlers listed, as they are almost always legal-risk placements. If you want to adopt out of foster care in MA, you'll need to go through MAPP (Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting) classes and have your homestudy done by DSS or by an adoption agency contracted with DSS. (Adoption Community of New England can get you a list of those agencies - PM me if you need their contact info.)

[loveajax]

Aha! Thank you for the info, Massachusettsmom. What do MAPP classes entail (timewise)? (This is my primary concern since I thought the HS process was overwhelming in and of itself!).

[plum93]

At my agency they run about 4-5 full days.

[loveajax]

Plum, do they have weekend days? Do they provide child care? Thanks for the info!

[MassachusettsMom]

Our agency ran MAPP classes as either 4 all-day Saturday sessions or 6 3-hour weekday evening sessions. They did not provide childcare. The MAPP classes were amazingly educational but really emotionally draining. They are all about the awful situations that foster kids come from and how to deal with the potential behaviors and the legal processes. And yes, they are required (and applicable) even if you're planning on adopting an infant.

Our agency said they would NOT accept a homestudy from another agency -- so I'd ask that question early on. I've heard they ask different questions and have different requirements for foster/adoption vs. private domestic adoption.

[aclee]

Just wanted to let you know that MA is actually a state where Foster Care and Adoption are separate. It's sort of confusing (at least I thought so!) We want to foster, but would look long term to find a child that was a good match for us as well. If you do foster care, you wouldn't be placed with any children where the goal was in place as adoption...I think as a direct adoption family, you can not accept infants who may have an initial goal of reunification. For us, it's a hard choice. If you have no interest in adoption, you could put yourself on the straight adoption list, but I think to get an infant, you might have to accept at "least" legal risk...your choice though! Have to find a balance between how long you want to wait, and what is right for your family. We haven't decided what to do yet. I think I'll end up meeting with a worker for the foster care part, and a worker from the straight adoption part and make a choice after that. We would only be open to a child younger than Ty though, so we have a wait before we'll even start MAPP classes.

Maybe one of the parents here that has made the choice can explain it better. I know MA is one of the only states that keeps it separate like this.