Parent Preparation

Preparing families for raising adopted children is a vital part of the adoption process. Each adult in the home is required to complete a minimum of ten hours of Adoption Education as part of the home study. MAPS offers classes that cover seven to eight of the ten hours. In these classes, we will help you prepare for the challenges and rewards that are unique to adoptive parenting, understand your baby or child’s needs, connect with other waiting families, and receive answers to your questions about raising an adopted child. See below for suggestions about completing the final two to three hours.

You can choose the class below that best fits your schedule, and you may attend class in any location, regardless of the state you live in.

Domestic class

Families adopting through our domestic programs must attend this class. Learn about the process, meet birthparents and an adoptive family, and connect with other families who are adopting domestically. This class is taught by a MAPS social worker and requires a minimum of four families.

International class

Families adopting through our international programs (regardless of country) must attend this class. Learn about process and challenges, hear from a family who has “been there” and connect with other waiting families. This class is taught by a MAPS social worker and requires a minimum of four families.

Domestic/International class

This is a combination class for those pursuing either domestic or international. This class is taught by two MAPS social workers, and will be one large group at times, and broken into the appropriate adoption paths at times. This class requires a minimum of eight families (four domestic and four international).

Date	Class	Location (click for directions)
May 3, 2008, 8:00-5:00	International	Cancelled
June 21, 2008, 8:00-5:00	Domestic/International	Portland, ME
July 12, 2008, 9:00-5:00	International	Portsmouth, NH
August 9, 2008, 8:00-5:00	Domestic	Natick, MA
To sign up for any Adoption Education class, please RSVP to Heather Schwartz at (617) 267-2222 or hschwartz@mapsadopt.org at least one week in advance.

Adoption Education Requirements

Because the Adoption Education class that MAPS offers only fulfills seven to eight of the 10 hours of required training, you will need to supplement this class with an additional two to three hours. In order for your additional hours to qualify, the training you attend must be documented. There are many ways in which to meet the additional two hours. Here are a few suggestions:

MAPS info meetings

If you attended a MAPS information session about adoption prior to beginning your home study, this time will count. Please let us know where you attended a meeting and we will gather the documentation.

Lectures, discussions, presentations

If you attend something in this category, as long as it is related in some way to adoption, it should qualify. (Please check with MAPS in advance to be sure.) Documentation of attendance will be needed.

Adoption conferences

There are many wonderful adoption conferences around the country, and most have workshops that you can attend during the day. Please send us a copy of your conference confirmation or certificate of participation.

Adoption Learning Partners website

If you have not been able to complete any of the options above, you may supplement the MAPS class with an on-line course or courses. (Some are one hour and some are two.)

Please visit the Adoption Learning Partners website:

http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/courses/feesAndCreditHours.cfm for more information on the courses. If you choose this option, you will need pay for the Certificate of Completion at the end of the course(s).

Directions to Adoption Education Sessions

To Portsmouth Public Library

Take 95 North to New Hampshire. Take 95 South to Exit 7, Market St. Ext., Portsmouth. At the end of the ramp, take a left. Go through two sets of lights to the blinking light, take a right onto Russell St. Take a right at the stop sign onto Deer St. to the first set of lights. Take a left at the lights onto Maplewood Ave. Go through 3 sets of lights (Hanover, Congress/Islington, State), then left onto Court St. Turn right onto Rogers Street and then right onto Parrott Street. The address is: 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Main library phone number: (603) 427-1540*, open on Saturday from 9 AM.

To Hampton Inn Natick

Mass Turnpike (I-90), Exit 13, stay left through toll, bear left after toll booth to Route 30 East Natick. Make a right at light onto Speen Street, stay left and take left onto Superior Drive after second stoplight. Cross the next intersection, bearing left, to enter the hotel parking lot.. (From points north/south: take I-95 to Mass. Turnpike westbound.) The address is: 319 Speen Street, Natick, MA 01760. Main hotel phone: (508) 653-5000*.

To MAPS in Portland

Take I-295 to Franklin Street exit. Go through 3 sets of lights. (Be in the left lane by the 3rd set.) At the 4th set of lights, take a left onto Congress Street; get into the right lane. Go through one more light. 277 Congress Street is a brick building on your left. Park on the street. Ring bell. Phone number: (207) 775-4101*.

*If you need to reach the MAPS teacher on the day of the class, please call (207) 504-1418.