As the state's oldest and largest right-to-life organization, we work to restore value in and defend human life, especially fetal life. Every unborn child deserves our protection and the chance to flourish outside the womb. The purpose of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life foster and adoption initiative is to recruit selfless, dedicated, and loving individuals who will provide safe and joyful homes for the state's 8,500 foster children. While our goal is ambitious, we know that, as pro-life advocates, our responsibilities extend far beyond a child's birth. And our service to women must include instilling peace of mind, so every woman facing a crisis pregnancy can know with confidence that, after giving birth, her baby will be safe, well cared for, and loved.

Ways you can help support this project

1. Tell your adoption or fostering story, whether from a parent's or child's perspective. Real-life stories open hearts and homes! Email [email protected]

2. Suggest resources we should add.

3. Share this page on social media, with your church, school or allied community organizations.

4. Motivate yourself or others to do something by watching The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. [link to trailer] (Not recommended for young viewers.)

5. Donate. Promoting parental love across the Commonwealth requires money. Make a restricted gift here. [link to a separate/copy donate page]

[add image from Burke family here with caption "Worcester County family with foster twins they welcomed as infants."]

6. Learn how you can become a licensed foster parent (Boys Town). 

7. Foster or adopt out of the MA Department of Children and Families.

Choosing life is just the beginning. Many women and families facing an unexpected pregnancy want to choose life but may feel unprepared to raise a child themselves. Adoption and foster care offer loving alternatives to abortion—ways to honor the dignity of both mother and child. 

Whether you feel called to open your home temporarily or permanently, your "yes" can be life changing. You can be the bridge between hardship and hope.

What’s the difference between foster care and adoption?

Who can become an adoptive or foster care parent?

In Massachusetts, individuals and families from all walks of life can open their hearts and homes to children waiting for love, stability, and care. Whether you're single or married, rent or own, what matters most is your commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a Massachusetts resident, 18 years or older
• Have a stable income
• Own or rent a home that meets safety standards set by DCF
• Complete a background check (for all household members age 14 and older)

How does the process work?

Whether you pursue adoption or foster care, the first steps are similar:

1. Background and home safety checks

DCF will review criminal records and visit your home to ensure it meets safety requirements.

2. Training

You’ll attend the Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) program, which helps prepare you to care for children who may have experienced loss or trauma.

3. Home study

A social worker will visit your home, talk with your family, and create a written assessment recommending the best path forward—either fostering or adoption.

After approval, your journey depends on which path you take:

If you choose foster care:

• You may be called anytime to provide temporary care for a child.
• DCF offers financial assistance and regular check-ins to support you.
• The goal is usually reunification with the birth family, but sometimes the child becomes eligible for adoption.

If you choose adoption:

• You’ll be matched with a child who is legally free (or in the process of becoming free) for adoption.
• You’ll receive information about the child and have a chance to meet and bond before placement.
• Once adopted, the child becomes a legal and permanent part of your family.

Support and resources

Massachusetts offers practical help to ensure that children thrive and families feel equipped, encouraged, and never abandoned in their mission to protect and nurture life.

For foster parents

• Financial assistance: Daily reimbursement, clothing stipends, birthday and holiday support
• Health coverage: All foster children are covered under MassHealth
• Extra help: Access to childcare, WIC, school lunches, and enrichment through Wonderfund
• Ongoing connection: Regular contact with DCF social workers and support teams

For adoptive parents

• Adoption subsidies: Financial support may continue if you adopt from foster care
• Health coverage: Many adopted children qualify for MassHealth
• Long-term support: Access to post-adoption services, including counseling, peer support, and resources for growing families

Considering the next step?

Adoption and foster care are life-affirming alternatives that offer hope not only to children but also to the families who open their hearts to them. These paths reflect a deep commitment to the dignity of every human life, born and unborn.

While no one is expected to be perfect, what matters is a willingness to care—a readiness to provide love, consistency, and a sense of belonging. For those who feel called, even one step forward can change a life forever.

To begin exploring:

Private organizations

Here are some private organizations that offer support and resources for individuals considering adoption or foster care:

• Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE): MARE is a private nonprofit that works to find adoptive homes for children and teens in foster care.
• The Home for Little Wanderers: foster care and adoption programs.
• Boys Town New England

State support

• Visit the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families website

Choosing to foster or adopt is a powerful way to embody the pro-life belief that every life has value—and that every child is worthy of a family.