Important information about adoption

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke hosted a "meet-and-greet" for adults considering adoption Wednesday night.

The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and the Department of Families and Children (DFC) were trying to recruit families interested in Foster Care.

MARE Regional Coordinator, Maurine Albano told 22News there are 80 children waiting to join families here in western Massachusetts right now. "These kids have been in numerous foster homes, and the last thing we want them to do is to be placed in a third, fourth or fifth foster home. You know, the next move we want them to make is an adoptive home, their forever family."

Westhampton married mother of three, Wendy McCann came to the pre-adoption information meeting to speak with social workers and learn about some of the children in the system. She wants to see if there are any matches that could fit her family. "It's still all new for us. But we have three kids, and they're all different so we're learning every day as it is. So I don't look at it as any more of a challenge. Just hopefully we can find a way to help them, and continue to make them a part of our family."

Albano told 22News that adoption from foster care is free, and in some cases, adoptive families qualify for subsidies. To qualify, adoptive parents need to be over 18, married or single, and have enough income to support the family. They also recruit for the lesbian and gay population.

MARE has scheduled an "Adoption Party" where prospective parents can meet some of the available children. The party takes place at Springfield College on April 24th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. To learn more about adoption click here.