AJ, 12, collects coins
Anthony, who prefers to be called AJ, is a 12-year-old Caucasian boy. AJ is an avid coin collector. He also likes Pokemon cards, electronic games, sports and reading. He is a smart, straightforward child who appreciates knowing what is going on and what to expect. He refers to himself as an organizer because he always likes to have a plan.
AJ enjoys going to school and says his favorite subject is math. Not only does he excel academically, he is able to pose insightful questions and he is willing to search for information when he lacks knowledge on a specific topic. AJ receives support from an Individualized Education Plan to help him with emotional support in school.
When asked about his ideal family, AJ said he wants a mom and a dad who are nice and have animals. He does well with men and hopes to have a strong male role model in his life soon. It is recommended that AJ is the youngest or only child in the home.
How do I adopt a child from foster care?
To adopt a child from foster care, you must go through a training, interview and matching process. To begin, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange for referrals to agencies in your area. After submitting an initial application, a social worker will meet with you, then refer you for the Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting training. After completing the MAPP course, you’ll have meetings with a social worker who will conduct your “homestudy” to explore adoption possibilities with you. It’s important to balance patience with persistence to make a match that will build a lifelong family.