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Virtual Matching Event for Waiting Families Featuring Children, Siblings, & Teens of Color poster
Matching
Feb 20, 2025, 6:00 PM - Feb 20, 2025, 8:00 PM
Virtual Matching Event for Waiting Families Featuring Children, Siblings, & Teens of Color
The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), invite you to a virtual matching event featuring children of color from Massachusetts (ages 5+). Families that have a completed the ...
Live Explore Adoption Webinar poster
Webinar
Feb 25, 2025, 6:00 PM - Feb 25, 2025, 7:00 PM
Live Explore Adoption Webinar
Join Emily Goldberger, Family Support Services Coordinator, for an engaging LIVE presentation that will tell you what you need to know about the adoption from foster care process in MA and direct you on next steps to take to move forward in the ...
Inside Transracial Adoption poster
Webinar
Feb 27, 2025, 8:00 PM - Feb 27, 2025, 9:30 PM
Inside Transracial Adoption
It’s often difficult to see the full picture in adoption. Adoptees and adoptive parents have individual and unique perspectives and struggles that don't get seen side by side. Inside Transracial Adoption is a window into the journey of an ...
Teen Board Game Matching Event poster
Matching
Mar 1, 2025, 11:00 AM - Mar 1, 2025, 2:00 PM
Teen Board Game Matching Event
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) invite you to a board game meet and greet! Join us to meet waiting children and sibling groups ages 12+ while playing new and fun board games, ...
Older Youth Adoption: Lived Experiences of Teenagers Who Were Adopted poster
Webinar
Mar 13, 2025, 7:00 PM - Mar 13, 2025, 8:30 PM
Older Youth Adoption: Lived Experiences of Teenagers Who Were Adopted
This panel will dive into the journey of 3 people who were adopted as teenagers. Diving into their personal journey navigating foster care, what it meant to be adopted, and what they wish parents knew. This panel will provide a deeper insight into ...
Love & Locks: Hair Care Workshop poster
Webinar
Mar 27, 2025, 7:30 PM - Mar 27, 2025, 8:30 PM
Love & Locks: Hair Care Workshop
Has hair time been stressful for you and your child? Nervous you may be using the wrong product? No need to worry anymore. The Love & Locks webinar will help you understand how to best care for your child's hair, how to select the right ...

Caregiver Training

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 More
Current Caregiver Training
Bright Futures Adoption Center Winter 2025 Caregiver Training
Jan 21, 2025, 11:00 PM - Mar 11, 2025, 11:00 PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm - 7pm Tuesday, January 21st Thursday, January 23rd Tuesday, January 28st Tuesday, February 4th Tuesday, February 11th Tuesday, February 18th Tuesday, February 25th Tuesday, March 4th Thursday, March 6th Tuesday, March 11th Pre-screening is required. Please contact us if you are interested in joining our Caregiver Training. To pre-register, please call Jessica Gonzalez at 978-263-5400 or email Jgonzalez@rfkcommunity.org.
Children’s Friend Caregiver Training Meetings
Feb 6, 2025, 11:00 PM - Apr 11, 2025, 1:00 AM
Every 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.
Bridges Homeward Winter 2024 Caregiver Training
Mar 25, 2025, 10:00 PM - Mar 26, 2025, 1:00 AM
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

Partner Hosted Events

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.

DCF Information Event
Ongoing
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
Adoption/Foster Care Information Sessions
Ongoing
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