The Center for Adoption Research

The Center for Adoption Research (CAR) is part of the Center for Health Policy and Research (CHPR), under the direction of Dr. Ron Steingard. CHPR's overarching mission is to promote and conduct applied research, evaluation, quality improvement, education and training aimed at informing policy decisions and advancing practice to improve the health and well-being of people served by public agencies. Within CHPR, the Center for Adoption Research is driven by the principle that every child deserves a loving family. CAR is dedicated to developing training and research that will help families and professionals improve the lives of children in adoptive and foster families. The Center for Adoption Research falls under the aegis of Commonwealth Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Areas of Excellence  

  • Public Adoption and Foster Care 
  • Medical and Behavioral Health Issues 
  • Permanency for Children in Foster Care 

Learn More About Our Work 

Adopting in Massachusetts 
Adopting in Massachusetts - Cover IllustrationAs a public service, the Center for Adoption Research provides a copy of Adopting in Massachusetts free of charge to all interested prospective adoptive parents and professionals. To request your free copy, please e-mail your request to the  Center for Adoption Research  and include your name, postal mailing address and phone number. For more information, e-mail the Center for Adoption Research  or call  (508) 856-5397.

News & Publications 
Adoption in the United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals and StudentsAdoption in the United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals and Students, 
written by Center Director, Martha J. Henry, and Senior Fellow, Daniel Pollack, is now available from Lyceum Books, Inc.
Medical Student Course offering about Adoption & Foster Care: an optional enrichment elective - OE914   
Massachusetts Adoption from Foster Care: Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Learn about findings from the 2006 Center for Adoption Research and Massachusetts Adoption Research Exchange's study 
Research Participants Needed: The Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Project is the first study to explore couples' experiences as they become first-time adoptive parents. 

MEDIA APPEARANCES 

Martha Henry, PhD, featured guest on live segment of NBC's Today Show, spoke on Adoption 101, September 4, 2006. 

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