A Guide to MARE Forms

The MARE registration forms are a very important part of an adoption worker’s efforts to recruit families. The information provided on the Child Entry Form is used to create the child’s MARE Book story. When poor photos, little or no information, or only negative information is submitted to MARE, a great disservice is done to the waiting child. These children are depending on their adoption worker to find them a family. It is the adoption worker who determines how the child is presented to prospective families. We strongly encourage workers to take this into account when using these forms.

Foster Parent / Relative / Recruited Family “Hold” Form (Salmon)

Use this form to register a child for whom there is an identified family. This means that the child will not appear in the MARE photolisting book. One side of the form is used when the identified family is a Relative or current Foster Parent. The other side of the form is used when the identified family is a Recruited family, and therefore, not a relative or current foster parent. If the identified family is a recruited family, the last page of the family assessment must be submitted along with the Hold registration form.

The “Hold” form is also used (along with a green “MARE Removal Form”) when removing a child from the MARE photolisting book because a family has been identified.

MARE Child Entry Form (Blue)

This form is to be used when registering a child to appear in the MARE photolisting book. This means that there is no identified family and that recruitment is necessary. Fill out the form completely including positive characteristics and special needs of the child, in addition to any unique qualities or attributes desired in the adopting family. This form must be accompanied by a good quality photo of the child. Photos may also be sent via e-mail to: mare@judsoncenter.org Please indicate on the form whether the photo is enclosed with the Child Entry Form or if it is being sent via e-mail.

“What I Want People to Know About Me” Form (Purple)

This is a form for children to fill out when they are listed in the MARE Book. Children now have the opportunity to describe themselves and/or what kind of family they would like to live with. This form complements the MARE Child Entry Form that is filled out by the worker. This form can be submitted along with the Child Entry Form when registering a child for photolisting for the first time. It can also be used any time after the child appears in the MARE Book. We encourage adoption workers to make this form available to the children in their care so that they can have some say in how they are presented for recruitment. For children who are too young or unable to write, the worker or foster family can ask the questions and then write the responses in the child’s own words.

“What Others Say . . .” Form (Buff/Gold)

This form can be filled out by a child’s Foster Family, Therapist, Advocate, teacher, etc., and is intended to give others who know the child the opportunity to offer information that may be helpful for the child’s description in the MARE Book. Like the purple form described above, this form can be submitted when first registering the child in the MARE Book, or at any time after the child appears in the MARE Book.

MARE Change / Removal Form (Green)

Use this form when removing a child from the MARE photolisting book for any reason. Simply state the reason for removal (family identified, Federal Goal change, etc.) and provide the information requested. If there has been a change in Federal Goal, appropriate supporting documentation (SWSS dump, 5-S, or approved USP with FIA signature) is also required. If a family has been identified the form will ask workers to indicated what kind of family, how the family was identified, race of family, and whether the child will move to another county. This form can also be used to report any changes in the child’s MARE Book information (new worker, changes to the child’s story, etc.) The green MARE Change / Removal Form is only used for children who appear in the MARE Book.

Family Registration Form (Yellow)

This form is used to register studied and approved families in the MARE Family Database and must be signed by the families’ worker. Once a month the MARE Family Database is compared with all of the children currently listed in the MARE Book. Suggested “matches” are made based on the child’s needs and the specific criteria provided on the Family Registration Form. “Suggested Match Referral” letters are then sent to the child’s worker, the family’s worker, and to the family for follow-up.

MARE will also accept families’ complete and current family assessment for registration in the Family Database in lieu of the yellow registration form

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