Building Meaningful Connections
We are pleased to offer a variety of support groups for members of the foster care and adoption community. Our support groups help build community, provide support and resources, and more. Our support groups are open to Minnesota residents and have specific eligibility criteria as described below. Adoption-competent staff with expertise and/or personal connections to foster care and/or adoption will facilitate each of the groups.
You may register to attend one, multiple, or all dates offered per group. Groups are free to attend unless otherwise noted. The majority of our support groups are made possible through funding provided by the Department of Human Services Permanency Support Services Contract.
Online groups will meet on Zoom. You will receive a link to join after you register. In-person groups will meet at our main office located at 1605 Eustis Street, Saint Paul, MN 55018.
Adoptee Support Group for Kids
Adoptees ages 5-13 are invited to engage in age-appropriate discussions and activities about diversity and culture, friendship, race, school issues, adoption, and birth families to help build connections among adoptees. Parents/caregivers are invited to attend a corresponding parent support group that takes place concurrently.
- Meets monthly from September to May (excluding December) in person.
- Takes place on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon (CT).
- The eight-session series is $225 per child and includes the cost of the corresponding parent session that meets at the same time as each adoptee support group. Families can register additional children for support groups at a cost of $100 per additional child.
- Questions? Contact [email protected].
Adult Adoptee Support Group
Group participants must be 18 years and older, and may have been adopted through any type of adoption (infant, international, or foster care adoption), and through any agency/county.
- Meets monthly. Alternates every other month between in-person and online.
- Takes place on the second Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (CT).
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Kelli Hanson, at [email protected].
Foster Care Adoption Parent Support Group
Open to families working with CH/LSS for their foster care/adoption process while they wait for placement, have placement, or after they have finalized an adoption.
- Meets monthly, online.
- Takes place on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (CT).
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Becca Underhill, at [email protected].
Greater Minnesota Parent Support Group
Open to all foster, adoptive, or kinship families residing in greater Minnesota.
- Meets monthly, online.
- Takes place on the third Wednesday of the month from noon to 1:30 p.m. (CT).
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Kelly Tronstad, at [email protected].
G.R.O.W. (Guidance, Resources & Opportunities While You Wait) Group
This Education and support group is open to families working with the LSS Infant Adoption program while they wait for placement. Each meeting will have a topic in which education is offered or provided by agency staff. There will be time in each meeting for parents to connect with other families.
- Meets quarterly (January, April, July, and October), with virtual and in-person meeting options.
- Takes place at varying times and dates.
- Questions? Contact the Infant Adoption program supervisor, Karlee Wagner, [email protected].
LGBTQ+ Caregiver Support Group
Open to any foster and adoptive caregivers who identify as part of the LGBTQ community.
- Meets monthly. Alternates every other month between in-person and online. Childcare will be offered for in-person groups.
- Takes place on the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (CT)
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Anna Bergstrom, at [email protected].
Parents of Adopted Adults Support Group
A support group for parents who have adult children (age 18+) who were adopted through any type of adoption (infant, international, or foster care adoption), and through any agency/county.
- Meets monthly online.
- Takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Sue Orban, at [email protected].
Search and Reunion Support Group
Group participants must be 18 years and older, may not be related to one another, and must be considering, or active in, search and reunion. Participants may have been adopted or placed a child through any type of adoption (infant, international, or foster care adoption) and through any agency/county.
- Meets monthly. Alternates between in-person and online meetings.
- Takes place on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (CT).
- Questions? Contact the group’s primary facilitator, Betsy Trondson, [email protected]
