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
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 Arah Gould, ORPARC Family Support Specialist at (503) 241-0799 or email agould@nwresource.org.
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.
Parenting a Second Time Around
NorthWest Senior & Disability Services (NWSDS)
Currently meeting via Zoom or telephone.
Group is for grandparents raising grandchildren or any other relative raising a relative.
If you are interested in calling in or getting on Zoom to attend the support group please contact Suzy Deeds. She will register you and give you a pin code so that you can call in or attend via Zoom.
Please contact Suzy if you'd like to be added to the email list to receive monthly fliers and group updates.
NorthWest Senior and Disability Services (NWSDS) serves Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Clatsop and Yamhill Counties. However, grandparents and relatives as parents in all counties are welcome to attend this support group by Zoom or telephone.
Suzy Deeds at (503) 304-3429 or suzy.deeds@nwsds.org, or Julie Mendez at (503) 304-3432.
(Updated 07/2021)
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.
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)
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.
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)