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DCF Foster Care

DCF is dedicated to supporting families to safely care for their children. Foster parents play an important role by providing children with a home and offering support. They help children feel safe, discover who they are, and build connections.

As a kin-first agency, the Department believes that when children stay close to home and with people they know, they have a better chance for success. DCF works with caregivers to identify family members, relatives, and friends who can become kin foster parents for children within their community. When kin are not available, children are placed in DCF foster homes that can support children with specific needs and their cultures and backgrounds.

As kin, or someone who has thought about becoming a foster parent, you can change a child’s life and help a family heal in your community. Learn more about how you can contribute to this meaningful journey.

Why foster parents matter

Read the true stories of Massachusetts foster parents

Learn More about Read the true stories of Massachusetts foster parents

Learn how to foster a child

Getting started 
Your DCF foster care team 
Help a child you know in care (Kinship care) 
More resources for foster parents 
FosterMA Connect (for foster parents) 

More important info

Contact us about becoming a foster parent  Find a foster care information session  Get information about foster parent training (MAPP)  See the foster care payment schedule  Learn about adopting from DCF 

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