Although they can’t wait to start or expand their family, adoptive parents get scared just like everyone else. And just like every other parent, they often find themselves in need of help. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources they can use to resolve the issues related to the process of adoption, as well as those related to the process of raising children. What follows is a list of some of the best available support groups and sources of useful information for adoptive families.
Adoption support groups:
1. Families Adopting in Response
Also known as FAIR, Families Adopting in Response is one of the most active adoption support groups in the whole of the US. The organization is run exclusively by volunteers, but it still manages to provide adoptive parents with help regarding both transcultural and transracial adoption. They offer not only valuable information and much-needed support, but education and the opportunity to connect with other adoptive families as well.
2. Post Adoption Services Project
The main purpose of this organization is to provide adoptive families with all the support they might need. In order to do this, PASP offers both referral support and family counseling. It includes not only a wide range of resources and a quarterly newsletter, but open adoption mediation and interaction therapy as well.
3. Adoptive Families Circle
This is one of the best groups for both people who are looking to adopt, and those who’ve already brought their adopted child home. This is because it’s actually a group of individual groups that have only two things in common – adoption and the goal of helping adoptive families flourish. Here you’ll find groups for transracial families, parents who are still waiting to adopt and families with older parents. Whatever your situation is, you’ll find the support you need on their website!
4. Child Welfare Information Gateway
If information is all you’re looking for, you’ll be glad to hear there are countless websites that specialize in adoption issues. Child Welfare Information Gateway is among the most popular and trusted sources. If you select Parenting After Adoption, you’ll be given a list of topics that should help you find the materials relevant to your situation. For instance, if you want to find out how to bond with your baby, the only thing you need to do is go to Developmental Stages and view the appropriate age of your child.
5. Center for Parent Information and Resources
If you’re interested in information about children with special needs, this is the right place for you. The website provides you with resources on a wide range of disabilities, but that’s not all! The materials focus on issues specific for foster and adoption families.
