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
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
Register online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-autism-parent-group-online-tickets-105594110828
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 08/2021)
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.
Ties That Bind - Oregon Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Jessie F. Richardson Foundation
Facebook group
To Connect, Educate and Empower Grandparents Raising Grandchildren as well as Kinship Caregivers in Oregon
Ties That Bind – Oregon is an online, statewide Facebook group sponsored by the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation to increase connection, collaboration and resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and other Kinship Caregivers Raising Children. 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 other who are currently raising grandkids, or who have been in similar situations. Visit the following Facebook page to join the group:
Facebook Group
Ties that Bind is a program of AGE+. For more, call 503-408-4759 or email shooper@jfrfoundation.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.
Grandparents as Parents
Old Mill Center for Children and Families
This group is specifically for grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren.
If you or someone you know are struggling with isolation and raising young grandchildren, and would like to connect with others and increase your parenting skills, this is the group for you!
This no-cost education and support group offers an opportunity for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to connect with others going through similar experiences.
Attendees are invited to discuss family relations, health concerns, parenting and discipline, financial concerns, and community resources. The group will set the goals and the facilitator will work with the group to meet their needs.
Group meets ONLINE, every other Thursday. Please contact facilitator prior to attending to verify date.
This group is currently being offered ONLINE via secure video call.
Old Mill Center for Children and Families
1650 SW 45th Place
Corvallis, OR 97333
Location Map
Contact Debbie Williams, M.A. LMFT intern
at
541-791-6439 or debbie_williams@oldmillcenter.org
(Updated 7/2021)
KEEP Support Groups
Oregon Social Learning Center
All KEEP Groups in Oregon: https://www.keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
KEEP is a FREE support group for resource and kinship parents. 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.
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. https://www.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: https://www.keepfostering.org/keep-in-oregon/
To learn more information, visit the KEEP website.
All KEEP Groups in Oregon: https://www.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 07/2021)
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)
Oregon FASD Support Group
Cognitive Supports
2021-07_Oregon FASD Support Group Flyer.pdfDO YOU LIVE IN OREGON AND SUPPORT SOMEONE WITH AN FASD? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Come get support, connect, and learn with other people who understand!
Parents and foster providers of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) often struggle to find knowledgeable professionals or helpful information on how to best support their children.
As these children grow into teenagers and adults, they are more at risk of stress and trauma due to unmet support needs, challenging behaviors, and navigating through systems that don't understand their brain.
We know how frustrating it is, and we want to create a place for parents, foster providers, and caregivers of people with FASDs to receive support, understanding, and practical strategies.
Download Support Group Flyer Here
Zoom - To receive the Zoom link before the meeting, sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page: https://www.cogsupports.com/fasdoregon/!
We meet (mostly) on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
Nate Sheets, an Oregon-based FASD consultant and parent coach - founder of Cognitive Supports
For more information or to sign up, visit: www.cogsupports.com/fasdoregon
(Updated 07/2021)
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)