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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 MoreTuesdays 6-9pm
- September 9, 2025
- September 16, 2025
- September 23, 2025
- September 30, 2025
- October 7, 2025
- October 14, 2025
- October 21, 2025
- October 28, 2025
- November 4, 2025
- November 11, 2025
To register, please call Melissa Millar at (774) 488 5019 or email mmillar@cfservices.org
Want to Foster or Adopt? Start your journey with Bridges Homeward in September 2025!
Contact familyservices@bridgeshomeward.org or by phone at (617) 876-4210 to start the process.
Fall 2025 MAPP Training Schedule:
Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m.
9/30/, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4,
11/10**(Monday due to Veteran’s Day holiday,
11/18, 12/2, 12/9
MAPP Training is a required 30 hour training for everyone in Massachusetts who would like to become a foster, adoptive or mentor family through Weekend Family Connections. Reach out and they will guide you through the process step by step. Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Training is conducted virtually (via Zoom).
Bright Futures' Fall 2025 MAPP
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Dates: October 21st to December 16th
Tuesdays: October 21st, 28th, November 4th, 18th, December 2nd, 9th, 16th
Thursdays: October 30th, November 13th, 20th
Pre-screening is required. Please contact us if you are interested in joining our MAPP training. To pre-register, please call Carolina Menendez at 978-581-2185 or email cmenendez@rfkcommunity.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.
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
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 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
Adoptive Families Together – MSPCC Jamaica Plain Support Group
JRI Office, 3313 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
Free Childcare Provided
1st Friday of the month, 6:30PM-8:30PM
Due to the 4th of July holiday, July's AFT meeting will be held on 7/11/25 instead.
AFT provides education, advocacy, training, and support to families about topics unique to the adoption experience. Our groups include parents who have adopted children of all ages and races, domestically and internationally, children placed with other family members, and children with special needs. We also welcome adopted individuals, birth parents, foster parents, guardians & adults at any stage of the adoption process.
This is an on-going, FREE group that meet once a month. Feel free to drop in. For more info, contact Sybil Turk at 617.352.8898 or sturk@mspcc.org
Are you a foster or fost-adopt family looking for support & a sense of belonging in a nurturing environment? Second Nurture is building a community for you and families like yours!
Each month Second Nurture hosts a series of gatherings across Massachusetts, led by a 2N professional. They prepare food and volunteer with childcare at the gatherings but, also, they serve 2N families in a wide range of ways individually, such as tutoring kids, helping with household needs, and even with some professional services.
Upcoming events:
Easton, MA - Sundays @ 4:00pm
- September 21
- October 19
- November 9
- December 7
To RSVP, please contact molly@2nurture.org or via Events at 2Nurture.org
Andover, MA - Sundays at 1:30pm
- September 21
- October 19
- November 16
- December 14
To RSVP, please contact debbie@2nurture.org or via Events at 2Nurture.org
Newton, MA - Sundays @ 3:30pm
- September 9
- October 26
- November 23
- December 21
To RSVP, please contact martha@2nurture.org or via Events at 2Nurture.org