New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearing House

Spence-Chapin’s Birth Parent Support Group is a virtual meet-up for individuals who made an adoption plan (with Spence-Chapin or elsewhere) and are in any stage in their placement journey. This group is a safe place to get support and know that you are not alone. Topics will include coping with feelings of grief and loss, sharing challenges and successes with open and closed adoption, and improving communication with friends and family around your adoption plan.

There is no cost to attend.

Individual Ticket – November: $25.00

Please join Spence-Chapin and Certified Doula and Newborn Care Educator, Robin Douthit, LCCE, CD (DONA), CLC, MA to learn all about the basics of caring for a newborn. This Baby Care Basics Workshop is designed for families who are preparing to welcome a newborn through adoption. Spence-Chapin’s adoption competent professionals will guide you through essential newborn care, including what to expect in the early days and ways to build confidence in daily care. Participants will leave the workshop feeling better prepared for the first weeks of parenting and supported in their journey.

The webinar is a great way to learn more about Adoptions From The Heart’s Open Adoption Program, which primarily places infants directly from the hospital.

IMPORTANT NOTE: AFTH is currently only accepting applicants who are open to adopting children of all racial backgrounds and heritages. Because we are an open adoption agency and have seen an increase in requested visits, all prospective adoptive parents must also be open to a minimum of 2 in-person visits per year with birth parents. Direct communication such as text, phone, or email is also commonly requested.

As a private, non-funded agency, there are fees associated with our services. AFTH can connect families to grant and finance coaching resources. If you would like fee information prior to the webinar, please email adoption@afth.org with your city and state, and we will connect you with your local office.

Fee: $20.00

Part 4: Home for the Holidays? Navigating Adoption Emotions and the Holiday Season

Holidays are often a time of joy and celebration for adoptive families. However, for adoptees, these same occasions can also bring a mix of emotions, including reminders of the losses they’ve experienced.

In this four-part series, Tony Hynes, Ph.D., who joined his family through adoption, will explore the unique emotional landscape holidays can create for adopted individuals.

Spence-Chapin’s Birth Parent Support Group is a virtual meet-up for individuals who made an adoption plan (with Spence-Chapin or elsewhere) and are in any stage in their placement journey. This group is a safe place to get support and know that you are not alone. Topics will include coping with feelings of grief and loss, sharing challenges and successes with open and closed adoption, and improving communication with friends and family around your adoption plan.

There is no cost to attend.

The theme of the International Conference on ADHD is to Connect, Learn & Thrive. It is through the connections we make along with the new skills and approaches we learn from one another that our ADHD community can thrive. At #ADHD2026, we will Connect, Learn & Thrive. by gathering as adults and partners, parents of children in all stages of life, clinicians of all kinds, coaches, organizers, educators, and advocates, to inspire one another and enhance all our lives.

This conference will feed not only your mind but also your soul as you meet other like-minded individuals. We will welcome some of the most well-known speakers and authors to share their wisdom and research. You will also benefit from conversations with fellow attendees sitting next to you in sessions, during the coffee breaks, and wandering the discovery hall.

ACO, ADDA, and CHADD are ready to welcome you to join the largest international conference on ADHD. We hope you will find the experience enriching, inspiring, and restorative. We cannot wait to see you!

WHEN: Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 10:00-11:30 AM

WHERE: Zoom

COST: FREE!

Know Your Rights: Discipline Protections for Students with IEPs & 504 Plans in Maryland

This webinar equips parents, caregivers, and educators with a clear understanding of disciplinary protections for students with disabilities under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, with a focus on Maryland-specific policies. Participants will learn what schools can—and cannot—do when disciplining students with IEPs or 504 Plans, and how to advocate effectively.

FREE for NAA Members

$25 Non-Members

Overview: This interactive workshop explores the critical intersection of social work ethics and adoption practices, providing participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate ethical complexities in adoption services. Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics, the session emphasizes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equitable approaches to serving individuals and families affected by adoption.

Through case studies, interactive discussions, and applied learning, participants will examine ethical dilemmas, reflect on personal biases, and strengthen their capacity to uphold ethical standards in adoption-related practices.

This webinar is best for child welfare, family well-being staff and leadership. (2) CEUs are available for this webinar.

✓ 9 days

✓ All ages

✓ Stay near Lake Atitlan, one of the world’s most serene lakes

✓ Immerse yourself in Guatamalan language & culture while giving back to the community

✓ Ring in the new year with fellow adoptees & loved ones

Starting at $2,398 (USD)

Spence-Chapin’s Birth Parent Support Group is a virtual meet-up for individuals who made an adoption plan (with Spence-Chapin or elsewhere) and are in any stage in their placement journey. This group is a safe place to get support and know that you are not alone. Topics will include coping with feelings of grief and loss, sharing challenges and successes with open and closed adoption, and improving communication with friends and family around your adoption plan.

There is no cost to attend.