Behind the Photolistings
Here are a few ways we work behind the scenes to help our youth achieve permanency and improve services for them in Michigan.
Adoption Awareness
MARE travels to events, festivals, places of worship, and a variety of community events statewide to spread the word about the need for foster and adoptive families and to recruit families for our waiting youth. We also publish quarterly newsletters and periodicals, and maintain multiple social media channels to support these efforts.
Michigan Adoption Oversight Committee (AOC)
MARE leads the committee, whose purpose is to examine the state of adoption and adoption services in Michigan and to develop suggestions and action plans for improvement. The Adoption Oversight Committee provides the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services with a long-term workgroup that represents a thorough cross-section of partners in the adoption arena.
If you're with a private or state agency and would like to take part in AOC, please contact Michelle Parra, MARE Director, at michelle_parre@judsoncenter.org.
Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
The Youth Advisory Board hosts events and activities for youth who are photolisted on MARE. During YAB meetings, they share their thoughts on ways to enhance recruitment activities, programs, and policies impacting youth in our state. Those taking part may live in foster homes, residential facilities, or adoptive homes if they are currently adopted but were previously photolisted. Participants reflect on their lived experience to make services better for all children in care.
Adoption Permanency Specialists (APS)
APS workers help adoption workers strengthen and develop personalized recruitment for youth who have been photolisted for less than a year on MARE. They assist in a variety of ways, including breaking down barriers to recruitment and permanency, helping with relative locating, providing resources based on the youth’s needs, and more. They check in with the adoption worker and team during the first year of the youth’s adoption goal.
Photolisting Statistics
MARE maintains data on the demographics of youth that is used to inform policy, complete research, and be shared with the public. Our new site is currently setting up our photolisting statistics page.
Training, Committees, and Speaking
MARE staff serve on foster, adoptive, and kinship committees and organizations throughout the state. They also train workers on using the MARE website and following state policies. For families, MARE hosts recruitment events, training, and conferences. MARE staff can also be requested to speak on adoption at community events.