The Office of Foster Care and Adoption is driven by the principle that every child deserves a loving family. OFCA is dedicated to developing training and research that will help families and professionals improve the lives of children in adoptive and foster families. The Office of Foster Care and Adoption falls under the aegis of Commonwealth Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Commonwealth Medicine is a public, non-profit consulting organization guided by its mission to help state agencies and healthcare organizations optimize the effectiveness of healthcare initiatives that serve the underserved in their communities. Our innovative consulting and service models apply the knowledge and resources of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Areas of Excellence  

  • Public Adoption and Foster Care 
  • Medical and Behavioral Health Issues 
  • Permanency for Children in Foster Care 

Learn More About Our Work 

Adopting in Massachusetts 
Adopting in Massachusetts - Cover IllustrationAs a public service, the Office of Foster Care and Adoption provides a copy of Adopting in Massachusetts free of charge to all interested prospective adoptive parents and professionals. To request your free copy, please email your request to the  Office of Foster Care and Adoption and include your name, postal mailing address and phone number. For more information, email the Office of Foster Care and Adoption or call  (508) 856-5397.

News & Publications 
Adoption in the United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals and StudentsAdoption in the United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals, and Students, written by OFCA Director, Martha J. Henry, and Senior Fellow, Daniel Pollack, is now available from Lyceum Books, Inc.
OFCA's Course for Medical & Nursing Students is the optional elective OE914-2009, Adoption and Foster Care: Considerations for Medical Practice. For more information please contact rose.reith@umassmed.edu or call 508-856-1045.
An article reporting on the first few years of teaching OE914, Teaching Medical Students about Adoption and Foster Care was published in Adoption Quarterly.
Massachusetts Adoption from Foster Care: Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Learn about findings from the 2006 study conducted by OFCA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Adoption Research Exchange (MARE). 
Research Participants Needed: The Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Project is the first study to explore couples' experiences as they become first-time adoptive parents. 

MEDIA APPEARANCES 

Martha Henry, Ph.D., featured guest on live segment of NBC's Today Show, spoke on the topic of Adoption 101, Sept. 4, 2006. 

 

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