Kinship Center hosts support groups for parents and youth in locations throughout California. Support groups are facilitated by Kinship Center social workers, therapists, program managers and other professionals to meet the specific needs of client families in Kinship Center programs. Some groups are also open to the public.

Interested individuals should contact the number provided, for details and to determine eligibility.

Monterey County
Orange County
Los Angeles County
San Bernardino County
Santa Clara County
San Benito County
San Luis Obispo County

Monterey County

• Salinas PACT (Parenting Adoptive Children Together): A networking, support and education group for foster and adoptive parents and relative caregivers; free experienced childcare provided. Meets bi-monthly. Contact: Gayle Ward (831) 455-4717
• Support group for Birth Parents and Adult Adoptees: A networking and support group for birth parents and for adult adoptees. Meets quarterly. Contact: Carol Bishop (831) 455-4702
• Relative Caregiver ("Family Ties") Support Group: a networking, skill building, recreational and support group for relative caregivers in the Kinship Center Family Ties program. Meets weekly. Contact: Family Ties (831) 443-0662
• Educational Cluster Support Group: A curriculum-based support group for current and potential relative caregivers. Meets bi-weekly. Contact: Family Ties (831) 443-0662

 
Orange County

• Kinship Center Open Adoption Support Group: A therapeutic support group for birth and adoptive families and those who support them. Meets monthly. Contact: Melissa Dodson (714) 881-8634
• Relative Caregivers’ Support Group: A networking and support group for relative caregivers; a children’s group is held concurrently. Meets monthly. Contact: Cindy Roe (714) 881-8659
• Bridge Builders Parent Support Group: An educational, support and skill-building forum for parents who are part of the Bridge Builders Program. Meets monthly. Contact: Allison Davis Maxon (714) 881-8635
• Parents of Teens Support Group: Support and psycho-education on parenting difficult teens. Meets weekly. Contact: Margaret Creek (714) 881-8675; Giselle Rocha (714) 881-8687
• Yoga Group for Children and Their Parents: An opportunity for families to self-soothe and to maintain emotional and physical regulation. Meets weekly. Contact: Grace Katzenstein (714) 881-8658
• Caring for Kids Support Group: A networking, problem solving and educational support group for pre-adoptive, current, and post-adoptive families; a children’s activity group meets concurrently for a $15 fee. The group provides two certification hours for families with those needs. Meets monthly. Contact: Sharon Roszia (714) 881-8633

 
Los Angeles County

• San Dimas Basic Education Support Group: A networking support and education forum for foster and adoptive APSS parents and children. The groups explore key adoption concepts and share experiences; children’s activity groups (ages 8 and over) meet concurrently. Child care for children under 8 is provided. Meets bi-monthly; groups are held in English and Spanish. Contact: Sandra Browne (626) 966-5111 x 233 or (909) 447-8730
• San Dimas Advanced Adoption Support Group: A networking, support and education forum for APSS adoptive families; children’s activity groups (ages 8 and over) meet concurrently. Child care for children under 8 is provided. Meets monthly. Contact: Sandra Browne (626) 966-5111 x 233 or (909) 447-8730
• San Dimas Hesitant Support Group: A suport group for older children who are exploring adoption as a permanent plan. These groups are offered at no charge to children in the care of Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Held year round; new groups are scheduled once there is a sufficient number of participants. Contact: Sandra Browne (626) 966-5111 x 233 or (909) 447-8730

San Bernardino County

• Redlands Parent Support Group: a networking, support and education group for adoptive families. Meets bi-monthly. Contact: (909) 798-9547

Santa Clara County

• Parent/Teen Support Group: An open group to provide support to participants, promoting interactions between adoptive teens and their parents in a supportive environment. Meets monthly at the determination of the group. Contact: Deborah Schreibstein (408) 554-2550
• High School - Now What?: An open support group for adoptive high school students to discuss a variety of topics. Meets weekly for 6-wk cycles. Contacts: Deborah Schreibstein (408) 554-2550; Delores Springs (408) 554-2550
• Adoptive Parents of Grades 1-7: An open peer networking, education and support group to help parents meet the needs of adoptive children. Meets monthly at the determination of the group. Contact: Kathy Metz (408) 554-2550
• Parents of Teens Support Group: An open networking and peer support group based on needs of adoptive adolescents with discussion on independence, life skills, education and vocations. Meets monthly based on needs of participants. Contact: (408) 554-2550

 
San Benito County

• Hollister PACT (Parenting Adoptive Children Together): A networking, support and education group for Hollister families who have adopted infants or young toddlers and for relative caregivers; experienced childcare is available for $5.00/family. Meets every other month. Contact: Nancy Murphy (831) 455-4705

 
San Luis Obispo County

• Relative Caregiver ("Family Ties") Support Groups: A networking, skill-building, recreational, support and education group for relative caregivers in Kinship Center's Family Ties Program. Three groups meeting monthly. Contact: Marta Nielson (805) 434-2126