Our History

 

The Office of Foster Care and Adoption, originally the Center for Adoption Research, was established at the Medical School in 1996 following a recommendation from a statewide citizens’ task force appointed by former Governor William Weld. The task force’s findings identified both a lack of understanding about adoption placements in Massachusetts and a necessity to rectify the problem. Aaron Lazare, M.D., Chancellor and Dean of the Medical School — and known to Weld for his personal commitment to adoption — was appointed to lead the task force to establish a groundbreaking new research initiative.

Created to focus on all spectrums of the child welfare system, the Office of Foster Care and Adoption is charged with the mission to conduct research on a broad scope of issues related to adoption and foster care in Massachusetts. Its primary purpose is to develop practical applications and recommend fundamental policy changes to improve the well-being of children in the state system. The ultimate objective is to speed up the adoption process and place every child in a caring and permanent home.

A decade ago UMass Medical School created Commonwealth Medicine, a consulting and service organization dedicated to providing health care resources to public sector agencies. The Office became a formal division of Commonwealth Medicine, and through this partnership has been strengthened by ongoing collaborative efforts with its sister programs within the organization. The Office’s presence within an academic medical center offers access to comprehensive resources for the clients, stakeholders, and community we serve.