Foster care and adoption can be a rough road. Don't make the journey alone!

Support groups can help you connect with other families who really "get it" in a way that your non-foster/adopt familes and friends simply cannot. Training can give you the skills you need to cope with the stress of Foster and Adoptive parenting, and address the unique needs of the special kids in our care. Thankfully, Southeastern Michigan offers a number of great local support groups and training opportunities for Foster and Adoptive families, and we have worked hard to collect information about each of them, listed below, in alphabetical order by County. If you know of any groups that should be added, or corrections that should be made, please contact [ttalvitie@ffkids.org][1].

Of course, we hope you will join us for our own group here at Fostering Futures! Look for it under "Washtenaw County!"

JACKSON

Foster Parent Support Group-Jackson County Coalition • 2nd Monday
From 5:30-7:30 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church 1505 West Michigan Ave., Jackson. Contact licensing agency.

LENAWEE

The Lenawee County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (FAPA) • 2nd Monday
From 6:30-9 pm at Human Service Building, 1040 S. Winter St. in the Cooperative Extension Demo Kitchen Room (2nd floor), Adrian. Lenawee DHS, Catholic Charities and Family Counseling and Children Services take turns providing meals at the meetings. The meetings begin at 6:30 with a meal then from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm there is training and FAPA meeting. We do not provide child care at this time.
Contact: Sheryl Mohr (FAPA officer) to RSVP at 517-403-3887.

LIVINGSTON

MONROE

Resource Family Support Group • 2nd Saturdays
Starting 9:30am at Francis Family YMCA, 2000 W. Dean Rd. Temperance. child care provided, RSVP preferred. Contact: Denise Williams 419-280-1332, or Denise.Williams@mybedford.us

WASHTENAW

Ann Arbor Support Group • 4th Wednesday
This FASD-Specific Group meets from 7:00-9:00pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month except November (meets 3rd Wednesday) and December (no meeting). St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Education Center, Classroom #5 5305 East Huron Dr., Ann Arbor. Contact: Betsy Soden for more information at betsysoden@juno.com

Dexter Adoptive/Guardian Parent Support Group • 3rd Wednesday
Meeting at Dexter United Methodist Church in "The Hub" room, 7643 Huron River Drive in Dexter from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Hosted by PARC this group is for Adoptive/Guardian parents to meet other adoptive and guardian parents in your community, get connected to others who understand your journey, gather information, new ideas and insights to help your family thrive. These meetings are for parentsly only. Childcare is NOT available. Questions? Please call or email Tracy_Kapusansky@judsoncenter.org or 734-545-3831.

Fabulous Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group • 1st Monday
From 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2065 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI. Park around back and enter through the door; one of the PARC staff will be there to greet you and direct you. Pizza is provided, and you are invited to bring a dish to pass. After dinner we break into three groups: Adults, Youth group (teens and older tweens), and childcare. Please RSVP, especially if bringing children! Contact: Jane Argiero jane_argiero@judsoncenter.org

Fostering Futures' Foster/Adoptive Parent Collaborative Training and support group • 1st Wednesday
From 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Fostering Futures, 2008 Hogback Rd., Suite 6, Ann Arbor, MI. On the first Wednesday of every month, we meet to learn, support, and share with other foster and adoptive parents in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The group is open to foster parents licensed through any agency, parents of children adopted through foster care, and anyone interested in learning more about foster parenting. Guided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, discussion topics for each week are driven by the needs of the group. The time counts toward your Foster License annual training requirement, plus free pizza and child care are provided!

WAYNE

Adoption Support for Michigan Moms • 1st Thursday
From 7-9 pm at Biggby Coffee, 44601 Five Mile Road, Plymouth. Adoption is a journey. Sometimes you just need a place to be real and find out that you're not alone. Come share your story, get ideas, or just lift another discouraged mom up! We need each other! This group is informal and for anyone waiting to bring your child home or those with lots of experience!

ONLINE

Raising Kids Affected by Trauma Facebook Group This is a parent-led, closed group, for people raising kids who have been affected by trauma, to a degree that impacts their behavior and / or development.

By "parent" we mean anyone raising a child... this may be a biological parent, foster parent, adoptive parent, grandparent, other relative, guardian or ANYONE who has the responsibility of raising a child. LGBTQ families are warmly welcomed.

Most members of the group are foster or adoptive parents, since all kids in the foster care system have experienced trauma. However, we also welcome any family affected by trauma, which can include exposure to addiction, domestic violence, poverty, mental illness, death, loss, and other experiences that may cause a child to feel unsafe and unstable to a degree that impacts their behavior and / or development.

We no longer meet in-person but hope you find this Facebook Group to be a safe place to vent, find support, and share Trauma-related events and services. Join us at: www.facebook.com/groups/RKATsupport

Subscription-based online support for Trauma/Foster/Adopt Parenting • $3.99/mo
Shivonne Costa, MSW is a writer, foster, and adoptive mom, specializing in trauma and how it effects attachments in foster and adoptive families. This is an online support subscription for those that 1) don't have the means or ability to get to a local support group, 2) need assistance with new parenting techniques, specific to children who have experienced trauma, 3) are struggling to connect to their child/children and need a place to vent and ask for new, therapeutic ideas. Visit www.mommyhoodsfs.com/

HUGS - Respite Care for Foster & Adoptive Families • 2nd Saturdays
HUGS is a FREE program designed to give you a much needed break, while your foster or adoptive children and siblings come and play. We gather on the second Saturday of every month from 9:30 to Noon at Venture Church. All volunteers have been trained in trauma and have a clear background check through DHHS. HUGS will have fun activities for children with games, a quiet room, crafts, music and a different theme every month. Suggested age range for HUGS is infant through high school. Visit http://ventureon59.com/HUGS/ for more details or to register your child for the next session.

MONROE

Resource Family Support Group • 2nd Saturdays
Starting 9:30am at Francis Family YMCA, 2000 W. Dean Rd. Temperance. child care provided, RSVP preferred. Contact: Denise Williams 419-280-1332, or Denise.Williams@mybedford.us

WASHTENAW

Ann Arbor Support Group • 4th Wednesday
This FASD-Specific Group meets from 7:00-9:00pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month except November (meets 3rd Wednesday) and December (no meeting). St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Education Center, Classroom #5 5305 East Huron Dr., Ann Arbor. Contact: Betsy Soden for more information at betsysoden@juno.com

Dexter Adoptive/Guardian Parent Support Group • 3rd Wednesday
Meeting at Dexter United Methodist Church in "The Hub" room, 7643 Huron River Drive in Dexter from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Hosted by PARC this group is for Adoptive/Guardian parents to meet other adoptive and guardian parents in your community, get connected to others who understand your journey, gather information, new ideas and insights to help your family thrive. These meetings are for parentsly only. Childcare is NOT available. Questions? Please call or email Tracy_Kapusansky@judsoncenter.org or 734-545-3831.

Fabulous Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group • 1st Monday
From 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2065 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI. Park around back and enter through the door; one of the PARC staff will be there to greet you and direct you. Pizza is provided, and you are invited to bring a dish to pass. After dinner we break into three groups: Adults, Youth group (teens and older tweens), and childcare. Please RSVP, especially if bringing children! Contact: Jane Argiero jane_argiero@judsoncenter.org

Fostering Futures' Foster/Adoptive Parent Collaborative Training and support group • 1st Wednesday
From 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Fostering Futures, 2008 Hogback Rd., Suite 6, Ann Arbor, MI. On the first Wednesday of every month, we meet to learn, support, and share with other foster and adoptive parents in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The group is open to foster parents licensed through any agency, parents of children adopted through foster care, and anyone interested in learning more about foster parenting. Guided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, discussion topics for each week are driven by the needs of the group. The time counts toward your Foster License annual training requirement, plus free pizza and child care are provided!

WAYNE

Adoption Support for Michigan Moms • 1st Thursday
From 7-9 pm at Biggby Coffee, 44601 Five Mile Road, Plymouth. Adoption is a journey. Sometimes you just need a place to be real and find out that you're not alone. Come share your story, get ideas, or just lift another discouraged mom up! We need each other! This group is informal and for anyone waiting to bring your child home or those with lots of experience!

ONLINE

Raising Kids Affected by Trauma Facebook Group This is a parent-led, closed group, for people raising kids who have been affected by trauma, to a degree that impacts their behavior and / or development.

By "parent" we mean anyone raising a child... this may be a biological parent, foster parent, adoptive parent, grandparent, other relative, guardian or ANYONE who has the responsibility of raising a child. LGBTQ families are warmly welcomed.

Most members of the group are foster or adoptive parents, since all kids in the foster care system have experienced trauma. However, we also welcome any family affected by trauma, which can include exposure to addiction, domestic violence, poverty, mental illness, death, loss, and other experiences that may cause a child to feel unsafe and unstable to a degree that impacts their behavior and / or development.

We no longer meet in-person but hope you find this Facebook Group to be a safe place to vent, find support, and share Trauma-related events and services. Join us at: www.facebook.com/groups/RKATsupport

Subscription-based online support for Trauma/Foster/Adopt Parenting • $3.99/mo
Shivonne Costa, MSW is a writer, foster, and adoptive mom, specializing in trauma and how it effects attachments in foster and adoptive families. This is an online support subscription for those that 1) don't have the means or ability to get to a local support group, 2) need assistance with new parenting techniques, specific to children who have experienced trauma, 3) are struggling to connect to their child/children and need a place to vent and ask for new, therapeutic ideas. Visit www.mommyhoodsfs.com/