- This page, Apply to become a DCF foster parent, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
Apply to become a DCF foster parent
Foster parents give children a temporary place for healing and an extended family to lean on until they can return to their own home. Learn how you can open your heart and home to a child in need.
Contact for Apply to become a DCF foster parent
DCF Foster Care/Adoptive Recruitment
The Details of Apply to become a DCF foster parent
What you need for Apply to become a DCF foster parent
You must meet standard eligibility requirements to be considered as a Department of Children & Families foster parent.
Are you just starting to explore the idea of becoming a foster parent? Click here to introduce yourself, and a team member from the Department of Children and Families will contact you.
How to apply Apply to become a DCF foster parent
You can complete your foster/adoptive parent application online.
If you have questions and would like to be contacted by the DCF Foster/Adoptive Parent Recruitment Unit, you can fill out a request to be contacted.
Watch a short video on how to fill out the foster parent application.
If you are unable to complete the online process you may print the foster/adoptive parent application and mail it to:
DCF Recruitment Unit
600 Washington St., 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
You can contact the DCF Foster Care/Adoptive Recruitment Unit at (800) 543-7508.
Next steps for Apply to become a DCF foster parent
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Pass a safety check.
DCF will visit your home for a physical standards check for room and safety and conduct a background check on everyone in your home.
Attend the Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) training.
Eligible foster parents will be registered for 30 hours of training. There are several training opportunities offered across the state.
A social worker works with you to complete a License Study.
A social worker will visit your home and interview you and the household members, as well as check personal references.
DCF approves your home placement.
Congratulations, you are ready to foster! DCF will work to find the most suitable match between your family and a foster child.
Downloads for Apply to become a DCF foster parent
Open PDF file, 95.22 KB, for DCF Commissioner Foster Parent Welcome Letter (English, PDF 95.22 KB)Open DOCX file, 3.79 MB, for DCF Foster Care/Adoption Application (English, DOCX 3.79 MB)Open PDF file, 35.51 KB, for Eligibility Standards (English, PDF 35.51 KB)Contact for Apply to become a DCF foster parent
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