Nametag Guide

At MARE we believe that all children in foster care should be treated with upmost respect and that language about the legal status of their families’ parental rights should not be included on their name tags or profiles. If you are interested in that information about a particular child or youth, ask the child/teen’s social worker or submit an inquiry online at www.mareinc.org

For New Families

We are so glad you have chosen to spend your morning with us learning more about Adoption from Foster Care! You are welcome to observe family activities in Beantown.

However, today is NOT the time to make specific connection with kids. Highlighted below are the activities designed specifically for families who are at the beginning stages of learning about adoption:

• Orientation: Join us at 9:15 AM in the IMAX Theater to get an overview of foster care adoption and what to expect from today’s event. We encourage families to arrive at 9:00 am.

• Speak with a social worker: Throughout the morning in the Factory Furniture Outlet (off the IMAX Hallway) you have the opportunity to speak with social workers from your region of the state to learn more about the process and have your questions answered personally. If you don’t know your region, check the Massachusetts map with DCF regions located in the Factory Furniture Outlet.

• Ask Me, I Did It!: In Dining Rooms section, you can sit down and speak with families who have been through the adoption process and ask any questions you have.

• Family Supports Available and Weekend Family Connections: Learn about the supports available to adoptive families. Speak with representatives from Adoption Journeys, KidsNet, and DCF Adoption Subsidy, Second Nurture and more. Also learn about other ways to help an older youth through MARE’s Weekend Family Connections Program.

• Activities for YOUR children: In Beantown there are a variety of activities that the children in need of adoptive families will be participating in, including face painting, ropes course, airbrush tattoos, and live animals. Your children are welcome to participate, but please remember this is NOT the time to interact with youth who need adoptive homes.

Today's Map (for new families)

There are several different ways to engage in today’s event. Below you will find a basic layout of the store with some general descriptions of our event activities and areas.

Tips for Families New To the Process

• Be sure to arrive at Jordan's Furniture by 9:00 to ensure your attendance for the orientation at 9:15
• After the orientation, make your way to the Furniture Factory Outlet to connect with social workers from your region of the state. 
• Interested in learning more about the process from families who have already adopted? Head to the Dining Rooms to meet with experienced families at the "Ask Me, I Did It!" station
• If you become stressed or overwhelmed, please feel free to visit the Chill Zone next to the sleep lab.

For In-Process Families

Are you in MAPP training? Homestudied?

Thanks for embarking on this journey and choosing to spend your morning with us. While you are welcome in any area of the store today, highlighted below are the activities designed specifically for families who have already begun the adoption process.

• Activities with waiting children: There will be family-centered activities throughout the event to allow you to interact with waiting youth, including arts and crafts projects, bingo, giant Jenga, foosball, and more. Please use these activities as an opportunity to interact with a variety of different youth, regardless of who you are hoping to be matched with.

• Speak with a social worker: Adoption Workers and Supervisors will be available in the Sleep Lab to give you more information about the children, teens, and sibling groups at the event. You can find social workers who can give you more information about a particular youth by going to the regional area. Social workers in the sleep lab will also be able to tell you more about youth who are not present at the event.

• Ask me, I Did It!: Speak with experienced adoptive families to learn more about the adoption process and what it is like to adopt from foster care. You can speak with experienced families of each region in the Dining Room.

• Family Supports Available and Weekend Family Connections: Learn about the supports available to adoptive families. Speak with representatives from Adoption Journeys, KidsNet, and DCF Adoption Subsidy, Second Nurture and more. Also learn about other ways to help an older youth through MARE’s Weekend Family Connections Program.

Today's Map

There are several different ways to engage in today’s event. Below you will find a basic layout of the store with some general descriptions of our event activities and areas.

Tips for In-Process Families

Relax and Don't Stress

• Know that children often look forward to these events as they get to see friends or siblings and have fun!
• Don’t put pressure on interactions with the kids; keep it light and have fun. Embrace the awkwardness and go with it.
• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself for a match at your first event, but know connections you make with social workers might lead to a future match.
• This event can be overwhelming. When needed, feel free to find a MARE staff member, an experienced adoptive parent (see below), or a social worker to speak with.
• If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, feel free to visiting the Chill Zone next to the Sleep Lab.
  
  

Family Profiles

• Bring 15+ copies of your family profile to hand to social workers; make sure a MARE Family Support staff gets a copy (you can leave one at the registration table).
• Note on your family profile where you are in the process (ex: licensed, awaiting caregiver training & assessment, etc.).
• Include who lives in home, what child characteristics (esp. age, race, gender, number) you are open to, and keep it simple. Please do not include photos of you with children if they are not living in the home with you.

Keep An Open Mind

• Don’t come to the event with only one child in mind.
• Plan to interact with several children, teens, and social workers.
• Consider saying hello to a teen, even if that is not the age group you are officially licensed for. Try to have a little bit of a conversation with them as it shows you care and that they are not invisible. This will not “lead them on.”

Conversations with Social Workers

• Social workers love these events and want to speak with you.
• Introduce yourself and share your profile with them.
• Don’t monopolize a social worker.
• Remember this is not the disclosure meeting and they will not be able to tell you everything about a particular child at the event.

Be Appropriate when Interacting with Children and Teens

• Keep in mind MARE’s conversation starters on the next page.
• Do not mention adoption to a child or teen, do not make any promises about anything, and maintain good boundaries. (If a child asks if you can adopt them, do not say yes… say something like “You are such a great kid, thank you for saying that.”)
• If a child or teen doesn’t feel like speaking, they are probably nervous. Give them some space.
• Participate in activities and you will have natural interactions with children.
• Find their social worker first so they can tell you more about them, and introduce you if appropriate.

Have Fun! Again, try to have fun and don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your family. This is one event in your adoption journey, and it’s ok if it’s not the last!

Talking with Youth in Attendance

A child may be shy at first or not very talkative in your company. Be sure to let the child’s comfort level guide your interaction with them. No final decisions about matches are made at an adoption meet & greet event; there is a lot of follow up as social workers decide which family is the best match for a child.

Here are some fun and open ended questions to spark conversation with kids. Remember that conversation is a two-way street and sharing your answers first may encourage a child to say more. You may find you have something in common, too!

Question Ideas

• What do you like to do for fun?
• What kind of music do you like
• What’s your greatest talent?
• What’s your favorite movie? Favorite book?
• What do you like best about school?
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
• What are your favorite foods? Favorite restaurant?
• What are your friends like? What do you like to do together?
• What’s something you want to learn to do?
• If you could stay up all night, what would you do?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
• If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
• If you could meet any famous person, who would it be?
• If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Family Supports Available