New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearing House

Helping Children Heal from Sexual Abuse is a Free, virtual Parent Support Group for adoptive, foster, or kinship families raising children who have previously suffered sexual abuses.

WHEN: Scheduled to meet monthly on the third Tuesday at 7 PM

WHERE: Exclusively in the in the AFFCNY.Network

Just Adoptees: A Monthly Virtual Support Group JUST for Adopted Adults

Have you ever been told or made to feel like you’re Just an Adoptee? If so, then have we got the space for you! The fourth Wednesday of the month is, currently, set aside for Just Adoptees.

“Just Adoptees” is a peer led adoptee-centric support group just for adopted adults. We believe being adopted can come with complexities that only another adopted adult can understand. Our goal is to let every adopted person know they aren’t alone and the way they feel is normal for a not normal situation. This isn’t therapy – it’s better! It’s a group designed to be a “safe space” for adopted adults to gather and share experiences regarding their adoption experience without judgement or expectations.

February 25, 2026; March 25, 2026; April 22, 2026; May 27, 2026; June 24, 2026; July 22, 2026; August 26, 2026; September 23, 2026; October 28, 2026; November 24, 2026; December 22,2026

Please join Hudson Valley AGAPE team for an open parent support group via video chat. We will provide educational discussion-based concepts of self-care, advocacy support for your child through their sometimes-difficult behavior, and a safe space to connect with other parents who share similar experiences.

We encourage all foster, adoptive, and guardianship parents to build connections with others who “get it.” During our bi-weekly virtual Hudson Valley Connection Group, we will show a brief training; leaving plenty of time to discuss the topic and open the floor up to anyone looking for resources, advice, or a non-judgmental space to share what’s on their mind.

2026 Schedule: 1st and 3rd Thursday from 7:30-9:00 pm–

May 21; June 4, 18; July 2, 16; August 6, 20; September 3, 17; October 1, 15; November 5, 19; December 3, 17

Have you ever been told or made to feel like you’re Just an Adoptee? If so, then have we got the space for you! The fourth Wednesday of the month is, currently, set aside for Just Adoptees.

Facilitated by our HelpLine Coordinator, Chester Jackson , and our Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, Annette O’Connell, “Just Adoptees” is a peer led adoptee-centric support group just for adopted adults. We believe being adopted can come with complexities that only another adopted adult can understand. Our goal is to let every adopted person know they aren’t alone and the way they feel is normal for a not normal situation. This isn’t therapy – it’s better! It’s a group designed to be a “safe space” for adopted adults to gather and share experiences regarding their adoption experience without judgement or expectations.

“Just Adoptees” empowers adopted adults by allowing their voices to be elevated. This brings encouragement, a sense of community, support and a launching pad in finding their voices as they navigate their experience…together.

Scheduled to meet monthly on the fourth Wednesday

May 27, 2026; June 24, 2026; July 22, 2026; August 26, 2026; September 23, 2026; October 28, 2026; November 24, 2026; December 22, 2026

A Free, Virtual, Parent Support Group for adoptive, foster, or kinship families.

All the single parents (all the single parents) Put your hands UP!

We have a support group just for YOU! The parent who is doing the most rewarding and challenging job in the world!

We know single parenting isn’t for the faint of heart and we face unique issues. We don’t have a partner to “tag out” with when our kid is overwhelming us with their needs or to share the sense of pride when our kid learns to walk, scores a goal or graduates from high school. Our hope is to have a safe place where you can connect with other single parents to share your triumphs and joy, your strategies for staying sane amidst the chaos and also find new ways to recharge and take care of the most important person in your child’s life…YOU!

Scheduled to meet monthly on the second Friday from 7 to 8:30 PM

June 12, 2026; July 10, 2026; August 14, 2026; September 11, 2026; October 9, 2026; November 13, 2026; December 11, 2026

Professional Adoptees Networking is ONLY for those adults who have been adopted AND who work or volunteer in the field of adoption/child welfare. 

Are you an adopted adult who works or volunteers within the field of adoption and/or child welfare?

It’s time we reinvest in our own mental health. Let’s get together to talk, laugh, vent, maybe even scream about the emotional labor that goes into being a professional in this arena. Let’s face it…it ain’t easy. We want to know what’s on your mind and if there are any emotional landmines you, too, find yourself stumbling over. It will be a relaxed, open forum, where we can sit with each other as we navigate the intersections of our personal and professional lived experiences.

Remember, this isn’t a panel, it’s not therapy..it’s an open conversation that will center our – adopted person – voices and experiences. No filters … just honesty. Sometimes, sitting with that honesty can be uncomfortable or unsettling. Sometimes it can be triggering. But we all need to unpack our baggage, and we’d like this to be a space where everyone will feel comfortable doing that without fear of judgement or criticism.

June 17, 2026; July 15, 2026; August 19, 2026; September 16, 2026; October 21, 2026; November 18, 2026; December 16, 2026

WHEN: 1st Thursday of Each Month, 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST

WHERE: Zoom

COST: FREE!

In this monthly group facilitated by adult adoptees Tony Hynes and Rachel Shifaraw, adoptees will share, build community, and learn from other adoptees as they explore their experiences. In acknowledging the lifelong journey of adoption, the Adult Adoptee Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees. We look forward to seeing you there!

WHEN: 5/5/26, 6/2/26, 7/7/26, 8/4/26, 9/1/26, and 10/6/26 from 7:30 – 8:30 PM EST

WHERE: Zoom

COST: FREE!

A monthly drop in space for audience members across the constellation of adoption to connect in dialogue over questions surrounding the adoption experience. To promote dialogue certain months have different intended audience groups, ie. adoptees, individuals with foster care/kinship care experience, adoptive parents, partners of adoptees, etc.. This is intentional to promote safe spaces for folks to connect, learn and grow.

WHEN: Third Wednesday of Every Month, 7:00-8:30 PM EST

WHERE: Zoom

COST: One-time fee of $25

This support group will provide a space where interracial adoptive parents of children (and adults) of all ages can share their experiences about parenting children of a different race, while fostering a sense of community. Without the support of their parents, interracial adoptees are at a disadvantage. However, sometimes, it can be hard for parents to know what is going on with their children and when to step up, step back, or take a different route entirely. This support group offers a free-flowing environment where participants can share anything relevant to the discussion surrounding their families. Additionally, within the support group, how to form and maintain secure attachments in interracial adoptive households, the importance of creating diverse environments, how to talk about race and racism with children, navigating birth family relationships, and the urgency of examining our own biases as we attempt to support the needs of interracial adoptees, are all topics the group expects to talk about with great vulnerability. We look forward to seeing you!

Open to ALL Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Parents Throughout the State!

Dates:

July 23, 2026; August 27, 2026; September 24, 2026; October 22, 2026; November 26, 2026, rescheduled for 3rd Thursday November 19^th; December 24, 2026, rescheduled for 3rd Thursday December 17th

Price: $0.00

Voices of Adoption (V.O.A.) is a virtual space for adopted people 18+ world-wide to join in conversation, meet peers and talk about the topics that are important to them. Hosted by Jessica M. Luciere, transracial adoptee born in Bogota, Colombia, and Manager of Community Engagement at Spence-Chapin, V.O.A. welcomes adopted people of all backgrounds to experience community amongst other adoptees.

•  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern Time
•  10:00 am – 11:00 am AZ Time

Learn about Spence-Chapin’s innovative host-to-adopt program that prioritizes adoption for children from Colombia, ages 10-13 years old. For families who are open to older child adoption, this pathway provides both you and the child an opportunity to get to know each other and commence the bonding process during a multi-week hosting period in your home. Two different hosting periods are available – a five-week opportunity over the summer, or a three-week opportunity in December. Host families need to complete a home study with Spence-Chapin prior to being matched with a child for hosting, so now is the right time to learn more and get underway with your home study!

This program is open exclusively to families residing in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and Florida, so that our local social work team can fully support you and the child during the hosting period.

Cost: $15

“Calm down, sit down, and be quiet” may be words we heard when we were acting out as children, and sometimes they may come out of our mouths when we are really frustrated by our children’s behaviors. We will explore what brain science teaches us about what is going on in a child’s brain and body during a crisis and how trauma responsive approaches guide us to direct their energy and behavior and help them regulate.

Adoption is often times a difficult journey for all of those involved. As adoptees ourselves, we understand the hardships that come while navigating life as an adoptee. Although our journeys may look different, many of our feelings and ideas are similar. Here is an open group to hear the stories of others and share your own in a safe environment that promotes adoptees finding their own voice.

The FASD & the IEP Mentorship Coalition is an opportunity for ongoing training designed for people working with students with FASD who have, or need, an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This program recognizes and focuses on the need for ongoing growth and education specific to the needs of students with FASD within the special education system. We meet on the second Thursday of every month from 4:00pm – 5:30pm PT. This mentorship opportunity combines direct interaction, discourse, case studies, and education relating to FASD & the IEP. Group participation and respectful dialogue is encouraged. Some prior knowledge of FASD and of IEPs required. Information on prerequisites and registration available at: https://www.healthymindsconsulting.com/fasd-iep-mentorship-coalition/

NYC Teen Mentorship welcomes adoptees ages 13-18 years old in a group mentoring program that meets once monthly from September to June.

An intended safe space for Adoptees and First Parents to step out of isolation, and join others no matter where they are on their adoption journey. We also include spouses, siblings, children, and others who support the Adoptee or Birth/First Parent in their life. This is a space to check in and share experiences and learn from one another.

Please sign up through the Eventbrite link in the Sign Up! button below.

If you have questions, please reach out to lindaandlouise@concernedunitedbirthparents.org, or admin@concernedunitedbirthparents.org

Course Price: $350

Mondays, September 14, 21, and 28, 2026 |
12-2pm EST/11am-1pm CST/9-11am PST

This 3-session, 6-hour interactive course taught entirely by professionals who are also adoptees will address the accuracy of what the mental health community thinks it knows about the adoption experience. Addressing the history and ethics of involving those with lived experience, this course takes a fresh approach on assessment and how therapists can become more conscious throughout the treatment process. Lifelong factors will be addressed, and case examples will be used for participants to work through.

6 CEs Available!