Support groups
We can help you find a group, start a group or support your own! Or, access the AdoptUSKids free support group curriculum to help you along.
If you know of any new or updated support group information, or cannot find a group in your area, please contact us (503) 241-0799 / (800) 764-8367 or orparc@nwresource.org for help and suggestions.
Select a county
Statewide Support Groups
Lunch Break - Parent Support Group
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
C.A.S.E. is excited to launch the Lunch Break - Parent Support Group for adoptive, foster, and kinship parents and caregivers! In this FREE monthly group we will engage in thought provoking, honest conversations, receive support and guidance, and leave better equipped with expanded knowledge, skills, and confidence – knowing you are not alone. Topics covered include relationship building, grief and loss, birth family relationships, coping skills and self-care, and so much more. We look forward to seeing you there!
This is an ongoing drop-in group and participation at every session is not required
Via Zoom. Register Here
Parenting a Second Time Around
NorthWest Senior & Disability Services (NWSDS)
Group is for grandparents raising grandchildren or any other relative raising a relative.
If you are interested in attending the support group please contact Suzy Deeds.
Please contact Suzy if you'd like to be added to the email list to receive monthly fliers and group updates.
Visit nwsds.org/index.php/home/seniors/help-in-your-home-and-caregiving/relatives-as-parents-program/ to learn about additional opportunities through NWSDS. NorthWest Senior and Disability Services (NWSDS) serves Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Clatsop and Yamhill Counties.
NorthWest Senior and Disability Services
3410 Cherry Ave NE
Away From Home Support Group
Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) Reach Out Oregon
Reach Out Oregon is excited to present, "Away From Home" Support Group, offered in English and Spanish! At Reach Out Oregon we strive to offer a space that offers support and connection!
Away From Home in English: Wednesday, September 13th, 6:00-7:00pm
Away From Home in Spanish: Tuesday, September 19th, 6:00-7:00pm
Join Reach Out Oregon in a space that offers support and connection to parents and caregivers with past, current or anticipated experience in away-from-home placements.
For Who: ALL are Always Welcome
Meetings are held virtually via Zoom. Registration not required. Join the meetings with this link!
Contact the Oregon Family Support Network at 503-363-8068.
ORPARC Online Parent Group
Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center
The ORPARC Online Parent Group is a welcoming, private online forum for adoptive and assisted guardianship families eligible for ORPARC services. Members can connect with other parents in a private and convenient forum, moderated by ORPARC Family Support Specialists. Through this private Facebook forum, members can ask questions, share experiences, offer suggestions - celebrate the joys and triumphs of adoptive parenting while supporting one another through the challenges.
For more information and to join the group, please contact Annie Denning Hille, ORPARC Family Support Specialist at (503) 241-0799 or email adenninghille@nwresource.org
Adult Adoptee Virtual Support Group
C.A.S.E
Are you an adult who has experienced adoption, foster or kinship care?
In this monthly group facilitated by adult adoptees Tony Hynes and Rachel Shifaraw, adoptees will share, build community, and learn from other adoptees as they explore their experiences. In acknowledging the lifelong journey of adoption, the Adult Adoptee Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees. We look forward to seeing you there!
Our Adult Adoptee Support Group offers a safe space where adults can discuss all aspects of the adoption journey. Join Tony Hynes & Rachel Shifaraw (both interracial adoptees and C.A.S.E. staff members) to candidly converse, share our experiences and exchange resources.
● Registration is FREE!
● Must be over 18 to register
● Meets the 1st Thursday of every month
● Drop-Ins welcome!To Register, Click Here:
Contact: Tony Hynes, hynes@adoptionsupport.org
Online Gathering for Kinship Caregivers
Creating a Family
Are you a grandparent raising your grandkids? Or another relative raising a loved one's child?
Come join this online support group!
Online via Zoom
For more information, contact Tracy at tracy@creatingafamily.org
Peer Support Group: Foster/Adoptive Parents & Loss
This group is specifically for foster, adoptive, and guardianship caregivers/parents who have had a child leave their home—or who have experienced other types of loss or estrangement from children. For example: a child is living with biological family or in a different foster home, they ran away, they are in a residential treatment center or other institution, or an adult child has become estranged. This is a welcoming space to listen and talk about our feelings, how we are coping and taking care of ourselves etc. When joining the virtual session, please try to be in a private space (or use headphones) so that others nearby cannot hear the group conversation. If you have questions or would like to be added to our email list, contact Laura Ray at laurasophiaray@gmail.com.
Click here for more info, and to get the link to join: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wU78xLW53-ESUaF_RjoxQ8LQVm4KvrTXulD05viKlu0/edit?usp=sharing
Ask An Adoptee Support Group
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
A monthly drop in space for audience members across the constellation of adoption to connect in dialogue over questions surrounding the adoption experience. To promote dialogue certain months have different intended audience groups, ie. adoptees, individuals with foster care/kinship care experience, adoptive parents, partners of adoptees, etc.. This is intentional to promote safe spaces for folks to connect, learn and grow.
This FREE support group fosters meaningful dialogue and connection for individuals impacted by adoption, foster care, and kinship care. Certain months will focus on specific audiences — including adoptees, those with foster care or kinship care experience, adoptive parents, and partners of adoptees creating supportive spaces to connect, learn, and grow together.
Led by Adult Adoptees, Rachel Shifaraw, C.A.S.E. Creative Content Specialist and Catey Yost, Chair of the C.A.S.E. Emerging Leaders
Email: caseadopt@adoptionsupport.org
(Updated 06/2026)
LGBTQ Online Parent Group
Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center
LGBTQ families are welcome to join ORPARC’s LGBTQ private Facebook Peer to Peer parent support group, exclusively for LGBTQ state adoptive & guardianship parents and supported by ORPARC Family Support Specialists.
For more information and to join the group, please contact Michael McGrorty, LGBTQ Resource Specialist, at (503) 241-0799 or email him at mmcgrorty@nwresource.org.
ON-LINE Autism Parent Group
Synergy Autism Center
Cozy up with a morning beverage and computer on the 4th Saturday of each month at 10am for a free online group for parents of autistic children in Oregon, facilitated by Barbara Avila, MS, of Synergy Autism Center.
The group will look at a different topic each month including self-care, safety considerations, understanding your child's processing, social engagement and challenging your child without sending them over the edge.
Open to: Parents of autistic children of any age (birth - adulthood).
Online via Zoom*
*You need to register in advance to receive the Zoom Link
Barbara Avila, MS, Synergy Autism Center
If you are interested in being part of this group, please sign up here and please contact ASO with questions or for more details at info@AutismSocietyOregon.org or (503) 636-1676 (toll-free: (888) AUTISM-1)
(Updated 03/2023)
Ties That Bind Support Group - Oregon Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Jessie F. Richardson Foundation
Facebook group
To Connect, Educate and Empower Grandparents and Kinship Caregivers Raising Children in Oregon
Ties That Bind is an online, statewide Facebook group sponsored by AGE+ to increase connection, collaboration and resources for grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship caregivers raising children in Oregon. The Facebook support group is a place for learning, sharing, and helping each other. This includes asking questions and finding answers to issues unique to grand-families, sharing stories, information, and feelings, building friendships, and finding resources by talking to others who are currently raising grandkids or who have been in similar situations.
Visit the Facebook page to join the group.
Facebook Group
Ties That Bind is a program of AGE+. For more, call (503) 408-4759 or email info@ageplus.org.
KEEP Support Groups
Oregon Social Learning Center
All KEEP Groups in Oregon: keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
KEEP is a FREE support group for resource, kinship, adoptive and guardianship parents statewide. It’s designed to enhance skills while supporting each family on their individual journey. It’s 16 weeks; we meet once a week, and groups are 90 minutes. If you are an adoptive or guardianship family, please email orparc@nwresource.org!
Our groups are remote, providing lots of flexibility by bringing resources to families via ZOOM video chat. We keep all groups small; a typical group is between 5-7 families with two facilitators. We offer three main groups based on the age range of your foster children; KEEP TAG supports families with active placements ages 3-5; KEEP Standard supports families with active placements ages 4-12; KEEP Safe supports families with active placements ages 13+.
KEEP curriculum is evidence based with a trauma informed lens. Our facilitators bring in weekly lessons focusing on things like looking at challenging behaviors, introducing new skills, balancing encouragers and setting limits, promoting peer and school success, and managing stress.
Although psychoeducation is a big component, KEEP strives to provide very warm and non-judgmental space where local resource and kinship parents can have frank conversations, share personal experiences, exchange resources, and find ways to stay connected beyond 16 weeks that we are directly involved with them.
Groups are offered year around on 16-week cycle. To learn more
information, please visit the KEEP website to find your local contact information. keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
Special Note: We offer both educational credits and money
incentive for our families. Get 1.5 credit per session for total of 24
educational hours you can apply towards recertification. As an additional
benefit, get paid $25 per session just for attending. That is $400 that is available per family, per group.
All groups are
remote via ZOOM video chat.
All days/times are directly picked by the families
we serve.
All KEEP Groups in Oregon: keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
To learn more information, visit the KEEP website.
All KEEP Groups in Oregon: keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
On the KEEP website, scroll down to the map and click on your county for more information about KEEP services in your area!
(Updated 04/2023)
Grandparent Support Group
Oregon Kinship Navigator (OKN)
Join our twice-monthly virtual group meeting, facilitated by Oregon Kinship Navigator staff. We cover topics such as boundaries, trauma, parenting, grief, and more. Grandparents and other caregivers of relative children are welcome.
Meetings are virtual via Google Meet.
Join with Google Meet
meet.google.com/swz-uorx-jkj
Join by phone
(US) +1 314-666-1828 PIN: 291 586 204#
Visit OKN's website at https://oregonkinshipnavigator.org/find-services/#... for more information and email OKN at info@oregonkinshipnavigator.org.
Lejos de Casa Grupo de Soporte
Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) Reach Out Oregon
Away From Home in Spanish: Tuesday, September 19th, 6:00-7:00pm
Para Quien: Siempre eres bienvenido
Oregon Family Support Network: 503-363-8068.
Adult Adoptees Support Group
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
Click HereIn this monthly group facilitated by adult adoptees Tony Hynes and Rachel Shifaraw, adoptees will share, build community, and learn from other adoptees as they explore their experiences. In acknowledging the lifelong journey of adoption, the Adult Adoptee Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees. We look forward to seeing you there!
In acknowledging the lifelong journey of adoption, the Adult Adoptee Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees.
Led by Adult Adoptees, Tony Hynes, Ph.D., C.A.S.E. Content and Training Specialist and Rachel Shifaraw, C.A.S.E. Creative Content Specialist.Via Zoom. Click Here to register
Support Group for Parents in Racially Diverse Families
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
This support group will provide a space where interracial adoptive parents of children (and adults) of all ages can share their experiences about parenting children of a different race, while fostering a sense of community.
This support group will provide a space where interracial adoptive parents of children (and adults) of all ages can share their experiences about parenting children of a different race, while fostering a sense of community. Without the support of their parents, interracial adoptees are at a disadvantage. However, sometimes, it can be hard for parents to know what is going on with their children and when to step up, step back, or take a different route entirely. This support group offers a free-flowing environment where participants can share anything relevant to the discussion surrounding their families. Additionally, within the support group, how to form and maintain secure attachments in interracial adoptive households, the importance of creating diverse environments, how to talk about race and racism with children, navigating birth family relationships, and the urgency of examining our own biases as we attempt to support the needs of interracial adoptees, are all topics the group expects to talk about with great vulnerability. We look forward to seeing you!
Registration Details: A one-time payment of $25 provides lifetime access to the support group
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Support Groups
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.
- Free of cost to participants
- Designed for adult loved ones (18+) of individuals living with mental illness
- Led by family members of individuals living with mental illness
- No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended
- Confidential
Meetings are mostly online but there are some in-person groups. Visit the NAMI website to see a list of current groups: Support Groups - NAMI Oregon.
Visit the NAMI website to learn more about current support groups and to contact NAMI with any questions: Support Groups - NAMI Oregon.
(Updated 05/2023)
PFLAG Support Groups
PFLAG
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. PFLAG provides peer-to-peer support through in-person and virtual meetings, online outreach, and a variety of additional resources and programs.
In-person support groups: Find a Chapter - PFLAG
Virtual support groups: PFLAG Connects: Communities - PFLAG
There are in-person and virtual opportunities for meetings. Visit the PFLAG website to see a list of current groups: Get Support - PFLAG
Visit the PFLAG website to learn more about current support groups and to contact PFLAG with any questions: Get Support - PFLAG
(Updated 05/2023)
Neurodiverse Individuals Support Group
Neurodiversity Support Group
A support group for neurodiverse individuals across the globe.
Group meets virtually. Contact Sharrie for more information.
Sharrie Ryan-Kreins, (503) 396-3361
(Updated 07/2021)
Reach Out Oregon Family Discussion
Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN)
Join us! We are welcoming you to join a friendly conversation with our Reach Out Oregon Staff. Get to know your Reach Out Oregon Team Connect with parents throughout Oregon We are excited to have you join us for this special on-line conversation & we invite you to share this invitation with others who may also be interested!
Online via Zoom. Register here.
For more information chat with us on our website at www.reachoutoregon.org or call 1-833-732-2467.
(Updated 05/2023)
Parents Helping Parents
Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN)
Parents Helping Parents is the support group I mentioned that is virtual every Thursday from 6-7:30 pm. While it is listed as a Lane County group, the facilitator welcomes everyone.
Virtual. Contact Signe for meeting link.