Children’s Friend, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation, has been providing adoption services in Central Massachusetts since the 1850s. For the past 20+ years, the MA Department of Children and Families (DCF) has turned to Children’s Friend Adoption and Family Services to match children with special needs to the open hearts and arms of loving adoptive parents.

Veronica Listerud, LICSW, director of Adoption and Family Services at Children’s Friend, explained that all children are considered to have “special needs” when supported through the DCF Adoption Management Services partnership with Children’s Friend. Many children have needs that require special care, including medical, developmental, behavioral, or mental health. Many have experienced the trauma of neglect, abuse, and exposure to substance use.

"They need the right people ready to welcome them to their home and help them navigate their needs." —Veronica Listerud

Children’s Friend has a steady track record of success in training and growing new families. This year, there is a high demand for people willing and able to commit to embracing a child who needs special attention and care.

The Adoption and Family Services team is managing the increased demand for and complexity of these critical matches. Their tireless work to promote the unique value of adoption and its positive, life-changing impact have been effective in bridging the gap.

"We have already exceeded our placements over last year and are on target to finish the fiscal year in June with thirty new successful adoptions." —Veronica Listerud

Stephanie and Justin had many conversations before becoming parents. “Adopting was important to us; wanting to help kids in need was very important.” said Stephanie, a preschool special educator, who understood the needs of many of the children she taught. Stephanie knew she and Justin could make a real difference in children’s lives if given the opportunity. They applied to DCF and scheduled a home visit with Veronica from Children’s Friend. The next step was to enroll in the Massachusetts Approach to Partnership Parenting (MAPP) training and started their journey.

Stephanie explained that Children’s Friend Adoption and Family Services led them through the training to prepare the couple to become foster parents initially, then eventually adopt. For Stephanie and Justin, the steadfast guidance and encouragement from Children’s Friend prepared them well and instilled confidence to move forward.

At the couple’s first Adoption Event, they learned about siblings Adriana, age 4, and Jordan, 18 months, and “fell in love.” In what they describe as “baptism by fire,” their family expanded overnight. They spent the first year with Adriana and Jordan as foster parents, navigating the social-emotional transition. This included using sign language with Jordan to encourage him to communicate.

One year later, when the children became legally available to adopt, there was no doubt in finalizing the new family. Stephanie wants others considering the adoption journey to know what has been truly rewarding:

"As tough as it can be at times, it is meaningful to watch your kids happy and thriving and know how close the process has brought us as a couple." —Stephanie

With Veronica at the helm, the Children’s Friend Adoption and Family Services team includes exceptional and dedicated adoption case managers and family resource workers answering their calling to care. After each extensive—and sometimes exhaustive—review process, the team approach ensures a well-made match.

The case of the LaCours is a prime example of finding the perfect family fit. Quincy and Seth LaCour knew that they wanted to start a family. One night, they went online and came across Children’s Friend and their stories of children in need of adoption. Quincy related their emotional connection the stories created:

"Knowing that so many children didn’t have great beginnings made us want to create beautiful endings—so we decided to respond and start our path to foster to adopt." —Quincy LaCour

With the help of Children’s Friend, the couple grew to love the fostering/adoption training process, which was soon put into practice. On a flight home from the West Coast, the LaCours got a call to take two of four siblings, Julian and J’Zaih, who had experienced trauma and needed stability. Quincy reflected, “One month later, we started with both boys in our home, and our extended family started.” In six months, Children’s Friend called to discuss the boys’ two younger siblings, Kaylani and Elyjah. When the couple watched the four siblings interact, they decided to become a family of six. Quincy summed it up:

"These kids have blessed us with their presence. If anyone is considering pre-adoption and adoption, be patient because the road can have bumps and some sleepless nights. But it’s all worth the stress when you realize the beautiful family you’ve become." —Quincy LaCour

Adoption: A Loving Pathway to Growing Families

If you or someone you know is interested in fostering and adoption, contact:
Veronica Listerud
Director of Adoption and Family Services
508.796.0154, vlisterud@sevenhills.org

The Children’s Friend Adoption and Family Services team will guide you through the process and prepare you to foster or adopt a DCF-sponsored child or children with special needs.