Cambridge Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you expecting a baby or looking to adopt in Cambridge, then you likely know that the city is more than just the home of Harvard University – it also offers many adoption resources.

The information provided here will provide you with adoption agencies, home study providers, and other resources in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
For even more information on resources near you, you can visit our Boston adoption page.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Cambridge

Whether you choose to work with an adoption attorney or adoption agency, your adoption professional can be a great resource for local adoption information. If you are a prospective adoptive family or birth mother looking for an adoption agency in Cambridge, these local and regional professionals can help you complete your adoption:

• Adoption Resource Associates
• China Adoption with Love, Inc.
• Kauffman Crozier LLP

Become a Cambridge Foster Parent

Prospective foster parents must meet specific requirements before they are able to foster. While these requirements are similar to the requirements for adoptive parents, there are some slight differences. In the state of Massachusetts, foster parents must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a steady income
• Pass a home study
• Complete required training and become licensed

To learn more about becoming a foster parent in Cambridge, you can follow the links below for information on local foster care professionals:

• Cambridge Family & Children’s Service
• Communities for People

Home Study Providers in Cambridge

Whether you choose private infant adoption or foster care in Cambridge, you will need to complete a home study that meets Massachusetts requirements. Information about the Massachusetts home study process and requirements is available on our How to Adopt in Massachusetts page.
It is important to work with a legally qualified home study provider. To get started on your adoption or foster care home study, contact one of these area home study professionals:
Near Cambridge:

• Adoption Resources
  800-533-4346
  Adoption Resources provides a variety of pre- and post-adoption services for families in the state.
• Adoption Resource Associates
  617-492-8888
  Along with all your other adoption services, ARA can also help families complete their state-compliant home studies.

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 in Cambridge

At some point during a pregnancy, all women considering adoption must begin considering their hospital plan, as well. If you are preparing for your hospital stay, you will want to consider where you would like to have your baby, who you want to be there with you, how much time you would like with your baby before placement, and more. Your adoption specialist will be able to help you prepare for the big day, and you can also contact one of your nearby hospitals for more information:

• CHA Cambridge Hospital
  1493 Cambridge Street
  Cambridge, MA
  617-665-1000
• Mount Auburn Hospital
  330 Mount Auburn Street
  Cambridge, MA 02138
  617-492-3500

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Some of the most common questions for those considering adoption in Cambridge are about local adoption laws and regulations. Adoption laws are determined by the state and are the same in Cambridge as they are in Boston, Worcester and anywhere else in the state.
The following provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Massachusetts.
Adoption Laws for Birth Parents:
For prospective birth parents, some of the most important adoption laws are those regarding consent and relinquishment. Massachusetts statutes regulate who must consent to an adoption, when and how consent can be executed, when consent becomes irrevocable, and more. This information, along with additional information about birth parent rights, can be found in our Massachusetts adoption information.
Laws for Adoptive Parents:
Adoptive parents will need to meet certain eligibility requirements before adopting or fostering a child in Massachusetts. According to Massachusetts law, any individual may adopt alone, and any husband and wife can adopt jointly.
State laws also regulate adoption expenses that can be paid by adoptive families, adoption finalization requirements, and more. These laws and regulations for adoptive families in Massachusetts are available on our state adoption information page.

County Court Information

At the end of the adoption process, every adoption must be legally finalized in court. When the time comes, your adoption professional will let you know when you need to appear for your hearing and what else you need to do. In the meantime, visit the Middlesex County Superior Court for court information.

Things to Do in Cambridge

Many parents who adopt from Cambridge end up spending some time in the area, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for their ICPC paperwork to be processed. If your adoption plan brings you to Cambridge, you can find many museums and other interesting locations to visit, including:

• Harvard Art Museums
• Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Harvard Square
• Peabody Museum