Participation in the Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) curriculum is required of all prospective foster and adoptive families in Massachusetts. Caregiver Training is offered both by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and contracted adoption agencies. MARE does not offer Caregiver Training. After a prospective family’s application has been submitted to an agency and preliminary screenings are met with approval, families will be invited to attend the ten week training.
The training curriculum prepares adults to adopt a child from foster care who has experienced neglect and abuse. The training covers such topics as communication, building self-esteem, child guidance, understanding behaviors, and working with agencies and courts. The training will also include discussions about the children who are waiting to be adopted and resources and support available to you as an adoptive family.
Learn MoreEvery Thursday evening for 10 consecutive weeks, 6:00pm-9:00pm
February 6, 2025
February 13, 2025
February 20, 2025
February 27, 2025
March 6, 2025
March 13, 2025
March 20, 2025
March 27, 2025
April 3, 2025
April 10, 2025
Registration is required. Please contact Veronica Listerud at vlisterud@sevenhills.org to register. Space is available.
Tuesdays from 6pm to 9pm
Session 1: January 7, 2025
Session 2: January 14. 2025
Session 3: January 28, 2025
Session 4: February 4, 2025
Session 5: February 11, 2025
Session 6: February 25, 2025
Session 7: March 4, 2025
Session 8: March 11, 2025
Session 9: March 18, 2025
Session 10: March 25, 2025
Call Sarah Medrano-Palmer, Director of Family Services at 857-500-7312 to request an application, or email familyservices@bridgeshomeward.org
The following informational or training events are hosted by agencies that work in partnership with MARE, listed by region. Contact the host for additional information or registration.
If you are within a 45 to 60-minute drive of Cambridge, consider working with Bridges Homeward who licenses families for adoption from foster care and MARE’s Weekend Family Connections Program. You can book a one-on-one info session with a member of their family services team by clicking here.
This event occurs every third Thursday of the Month. Learn more about the foster care and adoption process through the Department of Children and Families from the comfort of your own home! These meetings will be held virtually through WebEx on the third Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:00 PM
Please RSVP via email to Carolla Sanderson at carolla.sanderson@mass.gov and you will receive the call in details.
For questions, please contactcarolla.sanderson@mass.gov
This event occurs every second Wednesday of the Month. The Central Regional ADLU hosts a virtual Informational the second Wednesday of every month from 6:00 -7:00 pm. The Informational requires pre-registration. Once registered, an applicant will be sent the WebEx link to participate.
For registration please email Heather Whitcomb at heather.whitcomb@state.ma.us