Children's Friend, Inc. - Adoption and Family Services

Children’s Friend became the first adoption agency in central Massachusetts in the 1850’s. We’re proud that we’re still helping to bring families together more than 150 years later.

Steps to becoming an Adoptive Parent: Inquiry - Discuss with a social worker your interest in becoming an adoptive parent. We will answer any questions you have and will help you get started; Application - A social worker will send you an application or, upon your request, will visit your home. Complete this form and return it to the agency or office you have chosen; Safety Check - Background record checks are completed. Your home must pass physical standards. We seek to ensure that your household is a safe environment for placing a child; Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) training – You will be invited to attend a training program. You will learn about the needs of our waiting children. The training covers topics such as communication, building self-esteem, child guidance and understanding behaviors; Home Study - A social worker will visit your home, interview your family members and will request personal references from you. Applicants complete fingerprint checks. Following the visits and reference checks, the social worker prepares a home study document. This document details your family strengths. It will also identify the type of child who is the best fit for your family; License - Once your home study has been completed and approved, your family becomes licensed; Placement - Placement decisions are based on the ability of your family to meet the needs of a particular child or sibling group.