Whirling Moms Blog: This blog is about my experience of becoming a mom to a spirited, bright, beautiful, athletic, funny, resourceful, energetic and strong willed daughter from China, who joined our family at the age of 9-3/4.
Support Groups
Please note that we cannot control the accuracy of information regarding the groups submitted by others. Please confirm dates, times, and locations with the contact person listed.
If you offer support groups for post-adoptive families, you can submit your information online.
If you are interested in starting your own support group the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) has a helpful guide for starting a Nurturing Adoptive Parent Group (PDF).
Support for Adoptive Families & Adopted Children
Adoption Support Groups for School Age Children and Teens - Rocky Hill, CT
Lutheran Social Services Post Adoption Services offers various support group for Children and Teens. Please contact Lynn Gabbard or Moses Farrow for more details. 860-257-9899
Adoption Support Groups for School Aged Children, Teens and Parents - Vernon, CT
Family Affirmation Center for Treatment offers various support group for Children, Teens and Parents. Please see list of groups at www.factct.net or call them at 860-896-5331
Adoptive Parent Support Group - Prospect, CT
Ring of Hope is a group that is open to Adoptive Parents and Legal Guardians. This group meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7:00-9:00pm at the Prospect Public Library, 17 Center Street, side entrance.
Contact Deb Kelleher at 203-706-0101 or fam_coordinator@yahoo.com
Adoptive Parent Support Group - Stratford, CT
This group meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 7:00-9:00pm at a families home in Fairfield, CT. $10 per person to off se the cost for pizza delivery for dinner. Adoptive Parents with children from DCF, inter-country or domestic adoption are welcome to attend. Most parents who attend have had some challenges raising their children and benefit from getting ideas from others and the group also shares joys of adoptive parenting.
Contact Nancy Horowitz at 203-868-9380 or nhorowitz@fcagency.org
Adoptive Parent Support Group - Newtown, CT
This group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7:00-9:00pm at My Place Restaurant, 8 Queen Street, Newtown, CT. The only cost to this group is for dinner should you choose to eat. Adoptive Parents with children from DCF, inter-country or domestic adoption are welcome to attend. Most parents who attend have had some challenges raising their children and benefit from getting ideas from others and the group also shares joys of adoptive parenting.
Contact Nancy Horowitz at nhorowitz@fcagency.org or Gaye Yllanes at 203-426-6502 or gayllanes@aol.com
Adoption Parent Support Group - Varies
Parents of Children with Complex and Difficult Behaviors and Mothers of Transracially Adopted Preteen and Teen Girls. These groups are currently recruiting members.
If you are interested, please contact Lynn Gabbard at lgabbard@lssne.org or call 860-257-9899
Adoptive Parent Support Group - Vernon, CT
This group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 pm, at The Family Affirmation Center, 281 Hartford Turnpike, Suite 201, Vernon, CT 06066.
The Family Affirmation Center is offering a support group for adoptive parents that will supply support from each other, as well as occasional guest speakers regarding areas of interest that parents identify.
Please arrange your own childcare as none is provided at the meeting.
Contact Kathi Legare, LCSW at 860-896-5331 or kathi@factct.net
Adoptive Parent Support Group - Westport, CT
The Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc. support group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm (except for holidays) at the United Methodist Church of Westport/Weston, Westport, CT. This group provides information, education, and support for pre and post adoptive families with speakers/topics plus general roundtable discussions.
Contact Debbie Schwartz at 914-997-7859 or apchudson@hotmail.com
Adoption Healing Support Group - West Hartford, CT
This group is open to Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive Parents. Come join us for safe sharing in a supportive, understanding environment. This group meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford, CT. Please park at the back of the building and enter through the side glass door entrance. Meeting is held in the Brown Program Center, Second Floor.
Contact Marion Conklin at 203-551-1121 or mjconklin@aol.com or Gia Pallone (860) 956-7919 View Flyer
Early Developmental Trauma & Attachment Support Group - Kensington, CT
This group meets the 2nd Saturday of each month from 1:00-4:00.
Contact Cheri Brown at 860.828.2918 or brownfamily244@sbcglobal.net (indicate support group in the subject line)
Parenting Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder - Colchester, CT
This group meets for dinner at a local restaurant the last Friday of the month.
Contact Rebecca Ross in the evening at 860.205.9645 or rlross2gs@aol.com (indicate support group in the subject line)
Parenting Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder - Middlefield, CT
This group meets for dinner at Blackbird Tavern in Middlefield, Connecticut - usually the second Tuesday of each month.
Contact Rebecca Ross in the evening at 860.205.9645 or rlross2gs@aol.com (indicate support group in the subject line)
Parenting Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder - Southwick, MA
This group meets for lunch at Tucker’s Restaurant the third or fourth Saturday of each month.
Contact Rebecca Ross in the evening at 860.205.9645 or rlross2gs@aol.com (indicate support group in the subject line)
Support With a Purpose (S.W.A.P.) - Colchester, CT
This group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm at Cragin Library, 8 Linwood Drive, Colchester. First meeting: 2/16/11. *Scott Johnson, DCF Norwich will co-facilitate this group. **Childcare will be available by reservation. Please call Alana Jones by Friday before the group to confirm.
Contact Alana Jones at 860-710-1593 or alana@heartshandsandhomes.org View Flyer
Support With a Purpose (S.W.A.P.) - Groton, CT
This group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. The group meets at Groton City Fire Department, 416 Benham Road, Groton.
Contact Alana Jones at 860-710-1593 or alana@heartshandsandhomes.org View Flyer
Support With a Purpose (S.W.A.P.) - Plainfield, CT
This group meets the 4th Wednesday of the Month from 6:30-8:30pm at the Family Resource Center, 651 Norwich Road, Plainfield.
Contact Alana Jones at 860-710-1593 or alana@heartshandsandhomes.org View Flyer
Support for Pre-Adoptive Families
Training Co-sponsorship Opportunity
Support for Relatives As Parents
Relatives As Parents Support Group - Waterbury, CT
This group meets the 4th Monday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Girls Inc. of Southwestern CT, 35 Park Place, Waterbury, CT 06702. Adults only, no childcare provided. Group will be held in English and Spanish
Contact Foster Adoptive Mission: 203-706-0101 See brochure
Relatives As Parents Support Group - Litchfield, CT
This group meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at The Touchstone Program, 11 Country Place, Litchfield, CT. Adults only, no childcare provided.
Contact Foster Adoptive Mission: 203-706-0101
Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Danielson/Wauregan, CT
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m at United Services, 303 Putnam Road, Wauregan.
Contact Liz King at 860-564-6100.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Norwich, CT
The group meets the last Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am, Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich
Contact Marion Donato at 860-887-3561 x124.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Groton, CT
The group meets the first Thursday of each month from 6:30pm at Groton Human Resources, Two Fort Hills Road.
Contact Diane Schrage at 860-441-6790.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Mansfield, CT
The group meets the third Friday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at 4 South Eagleville Road, Storrs
Contact Janet Romayke at 860-429-3317.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Middletown, CT
The group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am Sept-May at Middletown Senior Center, 150 Williams Street, Middletown. Evening meetings are planned for November and March
Contact Karen Nocera 860-638-4500 or rec@middletownct.gov
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - New Haven, CT
The "Coffee Hour" group meets on the first and third Monday of each month from 10:30 to 12:30 pm at The Consultation Center, 389 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT. The group is parent-driven and decides on topics and direction. The meeting agenda includes open conversation, resource sharing, program development, financial help and advocacy. No child supervisor is available.
Contact Kathleen Lutz at 203-789-7645 or klutz@theconsultationcenter.org
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - New Haven, CT
The "Conversations and Education" group meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 830 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT. A light dinner for grandparents and grandchildren is offered. Occasional Educational speaker, interactive workshops, wellness programs are offered. Fun and enriching programming for children aged 4-14 provided.
Contact Kathleen Lutz at 203-789-7645 or klutz@theconsultationcenter.org
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Old Saybrook, CT
This group meets every other Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Old Saybrook Youth & Family, 322 Main St. Old Saybrook
Contact Pat Rivers, LPC 860-395-3190
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - South Windsor, CT
This group meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 am in the South Windsor Community Center (150 Nevers Road).
Contact Ginny Molleur at 860-648-6361, extension 314.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Waterford, CT
This group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm at Waterford Community Center
Contact Marion Donato at 860-887-3561 x124
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Willimantic, CT
The group meets the last Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St, Willimantic
Contact Elizabeth King at 860-564-6100.
Parenting the Second Time Around - Hartford, CT
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Salvation Army on Washington Street.
Contact Marylyn Hardrick at 860-543-8413.
See the following links for their current support group offerings:
Many child placing agencies offer support groups for adoptive families. Please visit the Department of Children and Families website for a complete list of licensed child placing agencies in the state of Connecticut.