Boston Adoption & Foster Care Resources

For anyone who is looking to adopt in the Boston area, it is first important to know what local resources are available to you. If you want to adopt or place a child for adoption in Boston, then the information here will provide you with information on local adoption professionals, home study providers, court and hospital information, and more.

Boston Adoption Agencies and Adoption Professionals

Finding the right adoption professional is one of the most important steps in the adoption process, as your professional will be your guide through the process. Adoption agencies are ideal because they provide all of the services you need in one place, but there are also facilitators, attorneys, and law centers you can find. Here, you will find a list of Boston adoption professionals:

• Adoptions with Love, Inc.
• A Full Circle Adoptions
• Angel Adoptions
• Adoption Choices
• Wide Horizons for Children

Foster Care Agencies in Boston

Foster care eligibility and licensing requirements vary from state to state. If you want to become a foster parent in Massachusetts, you must:

• Pass a home study
• Complete MAPP training
• Have a stable source of income
• Be at least 18 years of age

Families who are ready to begin the foster care process or would like to learn more can contact a Boston foster care professional:

• Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
• Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps
• The Home for Little Wanderers

Home Study Providers

The home study signifies that you are officially ready to adopt a child. During this assessment, a social worker will conduct a background check, visit your home, and interview the members of your household to make sure your home is safe for a baby. The home study can take up to a few months, so it is recommended that you begin as soon as possible. See the sections below for information on Massachusetts-licensed home study providers: Near Boston:

• Adoption Resources 800-533-4346 Massachusetts families can contact Adoption Resources for home studies and other pre- or post-adoption needs.

• Adoption Resource Associates 617-492-8888 At ARA, you can complete your domestic or international home study and receive education and other adoption services.

In Massachusetts:

• Adoption Options 800-337-6513 An extension of Jewish Family Service, Adoption Options can provide home studies and education for New England parents.

• Alliance for Children 806-201-0200 Alliance for Children is Hague-accredited and licensed to conduct domestic or international home studies in several states, including Massachusetts.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about Massachusetts home study providers.

Hospitals near Boston

Pregnant women pursuing adoption will create an adoption plan, and part of that involves preparing for the hospital trip. This is the most anticipated event in an adoption, and you want to make sure that you have a positive labor and delivery experience. Your healthcare provider and adoption specialist will be able to help you plan your hospital stay. In the meantime, you can view the information of hospitals and maternity wards near Boston:

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital 75 Francis Street Boston MA 02115 617-732-5500

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 330 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-667-7000

• Newton-Wellesley Hospital 2014 Washington Street Newton, MA 02462 617-243-6000

• Elizabeth’s Medical Center 736 Cambridge Street Brighton, MA 02135 617-789-3000

Massachusetts Laws and Requirements to Adopt

Before you begin your adoption journey, you should become familiar with your state’s adoption laws. Whether you are a prospective birth mother or adoptive family, your home state has laws and regulations that protect your rights and let you know how to proceed with an adoption. You can learn more on our page on How to Adopt in Massachusetts, or read the sections below for an overview. Birth Parents: The state of Massachusetts does not allow you to legally consent to your adoption until the fourth day after your child’s birth. This allows you time to recover from labor and delivery before you make a final, legally binding decision. The father must also have his parental rights terminated in order for the adoption of your child to be valid. To do this, he can sign the same relinquishment papers that you will sign when it is time to place your baby with the new family. If he cannot be located, or you cannot obtain his explicit consent for another reason, speak to your adoption professional about how to move forward with your adoption plan. For more information on consent and parental rights, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Adoptive Families: Before you can adopt, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements as defined by your state. Massachusetts allows any adult or husband and wife to adopt a child. In some cases, a married individual may be able to adopt without having his or her spouse on the petition. Additionally, certain adoption professionals have extra requirements, which you may have to meet if you want to work with them. Keep this in mind when you are researching your options for adoption professionals.

County Court Information

About six months after you take your baby home, you will be called to appear in court and legally finalize your adoption. When this time comes, your adoption professional will contact you with information on how to proceed. In the meantime, you can learn about your area’s courts at the Suffolk County Superior Court page.

Things to Do in Boston

Once your child has been placed with you, you will need to remain in Massachusetts for 7-10 business days if you are adopting from another state. This allows time for the necessary interstate legal clearances to go through. During this time, you can visit some of the following Boston locations:

• Museum of Fine Arts
• The Freedom Trail
• New England Aquarium
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace
• Museum of Science