Help children’s adoption workers get to know you!
The Family Directory is a secure, password-protected space on our website where individuals and families can introduce themselves to children’s adoption workers. By sharing your story, you’ll allow them to learn more about you and consider whether you might be a good fit for a waiting child. It’s a valuable tool for those hoping to grow their family through adoption from foster care.
How does the directory work?
Think of the Family Directory as the “family version” of a child’s photolisting. Instead of listing children, it features individuals and families who are hoping to adopt from foster care.
There are three steps to be listed:
Complete a short registration form
Await your adoption worker’s approval
Create your profile page with help from your Adoption Navigator
The directory is only viewable by Michigan adoption professionals. If a youth’s adoption worker is interested in learning more about you, they’ll contact your adoption worker. Communication only happens between adoption workers, and MARE does not share any personal details beyond what you choose to include in your profile.
Who can be listed?
Adoption-approved individuals and families with a completed homestudy are eligible to join. Unfortunately, we cannot accept registrations from outside the state.
We encourage those listed in the directory to be open to at least two of the following common characteristics among waiting youth:
Children over 10 years old
African American children, who are in foster care at higher rates for complex reasons
Sibling groups
Children with physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or learning needs
What information can I share?
You’ll write a brief description about yourself and/or your family—just enough to give workers a sense of who you are and what your life is like. Families often include details about hobbies, pets, traditions, home life, or their community. You can also upload a photo! If you’d like help, your Adoption Navigator would be happy to assist you.
What are the benefits?
Joining the Family Directory is an excellent step on the adoption journey for approved individuals and families. It allows you to share what makes you unique and helps adoption workers, or case managers, learn more about you to determine if you may be a good fit for a waiting child.
The best benefit is that adoption workers can easily view your profile on our website when searching for families for their waiting youth.
Additional benefits include added Adoption Navigator services:
An initial list of potential youth matches, plus monthly updates on new ones
Possible recommendation of you or your family for children not yet listed on the site
Follow up on inquiries and assistance connecting workers
Updates on upcoming MARE Meet & Greets and training opportunities
Ready to get listed?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, contact your Adoption Navigator. If you’re not yet working with one, call us at 1-800-589-6273 or contact us online.