|
Do
you need help or support as an adoptive family?
Below
is a list of resources in the Northeast you can contact.
Resources
for Prospective Adoptive Parents
During the
home study phase, each family will receive information on
educational programs, online courses, and meetings available
to prospective and adoptive parents in their area. Upon
approval into a CHI adoption program, every adoptive parent
will also be provided with a list of adoption support groups
in their state.
After
submission of dossier to the country, each applicant will
receive a packet of educational resources to help them pass
the time while waiting for the referral of a child. This
packet includes a list of books about the country from which
they are adopting, a list of movies with adoption themes, a
short list of adoption-related books, and resources to help
them put together a lifebook for their child.
Adoptive
families in the post-placement phase will be provided a list
of doctors specializing in care of orphaned or
institutionalized children whom they can contact and any
information which can be found for psychiatrists,
psychologists, and counselors specializing in the needs of
adopted or institutionalized children serving the state in
which the applicants reside.
The following is a list of support
groups by state, as well as a list of physicians,
attorneys, psychiatrist and psychologists who specialize in
the care of orphaned or institutionalized children, for all
7 states in our Northeast region.
ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUPS (by state):
Connecticut
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families For Russian and Ukrainian Adoption |
Email:
Pamela.Goulet@fruanewengland.org
|
Nonprofit support network for adoptive families with
children from the former Soviet Union/ cultural and
ethnic events/newsletter and lecture series/forum
for advocating adoption from the former Soviet Union
. |
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) – CT |
President: Glenn Anderson
Vice-President: Barbara Anderson
ganderson@fccct.org
banderson@fcc-ct.org
http://www.fcc-ct.org
Email group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCC-Connecticut/
|
The statewide chapter of Families with Children from
China/ serves over 200 families by providing
regional support, playgroups, and events as well as
sponsoring two statewide events per year, the Annual
Autumn Moon Festival and the Chinese New Year
Celebration.
|
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) - Greater
New Haven |
Coordinator: Andrew Junker
Ajunker91@alumni.wesleyan.edu
Email group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fcc-greaternewhaven/ |
Group of about 50 families from the New Haven, CT
area. March through November meet at 3:30 PM
on the fourth Sunday of each month at Bassett Park
in Hamden (corner of Waite St. and Ridge Rd).
|
|
Jewish Family Services |
(203) 366-5438
2370 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604 |
Not a support group, but has monthly informational
workshops on adoption topics.
|
|
Connecticut Foster & Adoptive Parents Association |
(860) 258-3400
2189 Silas Deane Hwy.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
|
|
|
After You Adopt (AYA)
|
Bunny Lewis
(860) 693-1720
P.O. Box 143
Canton, CT 06019
Email:
afteryouadopt@comcast.net
http://www.afteryouadopt.org/
|
Non-profit organization, run by the parents, for
both domestic and international adoptive families.
Saturday playgroups, family outings, monthly
educational meetings.
|
|
China Parents Committee
|
Marie Winters
(860) 214-9845
FCAChina@optonline.com
www.fcachinaparents.org
|
Volunteer-run non-profit organization, fundraisers
for orphanages in China, 2 large celebrations every
year, calendar of events. |
Delaware:
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) |
Main site:
http://www.frua.org/
There is no FRUA chapter for Delaware, but you can
join at the national level. |
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union.
Cultural and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture
series, forum for advocating adoption from the
former Soviet Union.
|
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) |
Main site:
www.fwcc.org
http://www.fwcc.org/contacts.html
|
The FCC main website has no record of a Delaware
chapter. Visit the main page to learn how you can
start a chapter in your area or to find chapters in
other states that may be near your home.
|
|
Adoptive Families with Information and Support |
Mary Jo Wolfe
PO Box 7405
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 571-8784
Mwolfe@delanet.com
|
One of the first places you should call to network
with other adoptive families in Delaware!
50-100 families actively participate, monthly
support in New Castle county for parents of older
and challenging children, groups for adoptive
families, families of color, does a lot of referral
for services, no playgroups.
|
|
International Link |
Linda Wong
Wilmington, DE
(302) 428-3552
|
International Adoptive families social support
group, 30-40 active families. Hold monthly
playgroups on Fridays and Saturdays; purpose of
group is to help children form friendships at an
early age who share in their unique experience of
being an international adoptee.
|
Maryland:
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) – Central
Maryland |
President: Lewis Taylor
PO Box 2392
Columbia, MD 21045
FCCCentralMD@aol.com
http://www.fccmaryland.org/
|
In the Baltimore/Washington Corridor/regular
playgroups, cultural playgroups, workshops and
social functions, e-mail news, bulletins. |
|
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) –
DC chapter
|
Pam Heishman
(866) 206-9067 Ext. 6940
Frua-dc@oneox.com
http://www.orgsites.com/va/fruadc/
Yahoo news group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRUADCnews/
|
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union.
Cultural and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture
series, forum for advocating adoption from the
former Soviet Union/(DC chapter covers Maryland).
|
|
Russia and Kazakhstan families |
Anthony A. Chico
www.drchico.yourmd.com
Phone number: 410-828-0103
|
psychological evaluations |
|
Latin American Parents Association (LAPA) of the
National Capital Region |
(301) 431-3407
PO Box 4403
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Email:
info@lapa.com
http://www.lapa-ncr.org/
|
|
|
Adoptive Families & Friends |
Nancy Crow
(301) 663-1677
6134 Cornwall Place
Frederick, MD 21701
NancyC@AdoptiveFriendsandFamilies.com
|
Events: social activities, playgroups, educational
events for adoptive families.
Members: app. 85 families in MD and VA.
|
|
America World International Adoption Fellowship
Group |
Dawn Roberts
(410) 742-4954
Bethany Lutheran Church
817 Camden Ave
Salisbury, MD 21801
dawn.roberts@awaa.org
|
Meets first Saturday of the month from 10-12, for
all adoptive families. |
|
Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc.
(CASE) |
Valerie Kunsman, M.S.W, Director
(301) 476-8525
4000 Blackburn Lane, Suite 260
Burtonsville, MD 20866
caseadopt@adoptionsupport.org
www.adoptionsupport.org
|
Provides therapy and educational support to foster
and adopted children, teens and their families,
birth families, adult adoptees, and prospective
adoptive parents; also offer workshops for parents. |
|
Center for Adoptive Families |
Jennifer Klotz
(410) 451-6841/(410) 869-0620
5750 Executive Drive, Suite 107
Baltimore, MD 21228
jklotz@adoptionstogether.org |
First comprehensive pre- and post-adoption
counseling and education center in the Baltimore and
Washington area. Offer services in various
locations throughout Maryland , Virginia , and DC. |
|
Adoption Alliance
|
(410) 581-1031 |
Located in Baltimore, runs various support groups
including one for waiting families, adopted
adolescents, single adoptive parents. |
|
Communities of Care |
Adoptions Together
(410) 313-6538
9437 Gentle Way
Columbia, MD 21045
duanestclair@excite.com
http://www.adoptionstogether.org
http://www.adoptionsupport.org
|
Offers adoption support groups, view websites for
more information. |
|
One Church, One Child |
Charlesette Robinson
United House of Prayer
(410) 367-3100
3401 Edgewood Road
Baltimore, MD 21215 |
Works in conjunction with MD state social services
to run groups for adopted children and parents. |
New Jersey:
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) |
Atlantic County Chapter:
Carol Romanski
(609) 748-7024
Jersey Shore Chapter:
Christine LaChow
(732) 583-5116
clachow@hotmail.com
http://www.fccny.org/
|
FCC is an organization of families who have adopted
children from China. The purpose of FCC is providing
a network of support for families who've adopted in
China and to provide information to prospective
parents. |
|
Latin America Parents Association (LAPA) of Northern
NJ |
(May have disbanded!)
P.O. Box 2666
Fairlawn, NJ 07410
(Invalid phone number on main LAPA website)
http://www.lapa.com/
|
All-volunteer organization of families who have
adopted or who are in the process of adopting
children from Latin America, offers networking with
families, invitations to social, cultural, and
educational events, and participation in
international relief programs throughout Latin
America. |
|
Adoptive Parents Committee |
Mark and Monica Holly,
Co-Presidents
(212) 304-8479
P.O. Box 3525
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-3525
Maholly@aol.com
www.adoptiveparents.org/
|
Pre-adoption workshops,
monthly meetings (each chapter), post- adoption
workshops, legislative education, annual conference.
Serves New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. |
|
Concerned Persons for Adoption |
Kathleen Walz
973-625-5628
PO Box 179
Whippany, NJ 07981
www.cpfanj.org
kswalz@verizon.net
|
Support group for pre and post-adoptive families,
run by volunteer families, meet in First
Presbyterian Church in Whippany, for both domestic
and internationally adoptive families. |
|
Adoptive Parents Organization of Central NJ |
Edward Tranowski
(609) 586-9346
PO Box 8882
Hamilton, NJ 08650
http://apocnj.tripod.com/
|
Support group with approximately 60 families. |
|
FRUA NJ
(may be disbanded) |
908-431-0318 (unable to verify phone)
904 Cain Court
Belle Meade, NJ 08502
http://www.orgsites.com/nj/nj-frua/
www.frua.org
|
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union, cultural
and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture series,
forum for advocating adoption from the former Soviet
Union.
|
|
Adoptive Families Group (AFG) |
Pat Bloum
3 Regal Court
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-8944
adoptivefamiliesgroup@yahoo.com
|
Social group, informal, meet once a month, 80
international, Warren or Hunterdon county NJ.
|
|
Born from the Heart |
Directors:
Marianne Massi (856) 546-3970
Kitty Bowen (856) 786-4850
Maranatha Tabernacle
802 North Lenola Rd.
Moorestown, NJ 08057
(856) 234-3791
bornfromtheheart@earthlink.net
|
International and domestic adoption support group,
meets four or more times a year, meet in a church.
|
|
Monmouth /Ocean County Support Group
|
Liz Grudus
(732) 473-9113
St. Mary’s Church
Rt. 34
Colts Necks, NJ 07722
lgrudus@comcast.net
|
Domestic and international adoption support group,
very diverse with an openness for any kind of
family. Meet third Friday night of every
month, educational meetings with guest speakers and
open discussion, spring BBQ and winter party for
families. Members who live near each other
have play dates, group is under umbrella of NJ ARCH. |
|
Parents of Internationally Adopted Children |
Deborah Chitester
(732) 642-5118
djcslp@slllc.org
Meetings held at:
Woodbridge Public Library, Main Branch
George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
http://www.slllc.org/Support%20Group.html
|
Support group for parents of internationally adopted
children,open discussions, guest speakers, open to
the general public, but not a “how to adopt” group.
|
|
Infertility & Adoption Counseling Center |
Joni Mantell, LCSW
609-737-8750
www.IACCenter.com
|
Pre and post-adoptive parent groups, adoption
education groups and workshops in Princeton area. |
New York:
(Groups with *** specifically mentioned single adoptive
parents as a group they serve)
Go to
http://www.nysccc.org/Directory/DirIntro.html for a full
directory of support groups in NY State.
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families with Children from China of Greater NY
(FCC) |
Pres: David Youtz
Admin: Cara Bloouin
(212) 579-0115
PO Box 237065
Ansonia Station, NY 10023
greaternyfcc@aol.com
carabloouin781@hotmail.com
http://www.fccny.org/
|
FCC is an organization of families who have adopted
children from China. The purpose of FCC is providing
a network of support for families who've adopted in
China and to provide information to prospective
parents. |
|
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) |
Hudson Valley area:
Jackie Lawson
(845) 338-0127
Jlawson1@hvc.rr.com
http://www.frua.org/New_York/
New York City area:
Carol Becker
(917) 371-6900
Carolb201@aol.com
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/fruanewyorkcity/
www.frua.org |
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union.
Cultural and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture
series, forum for advocating adoption from the
former Soviet Union. |
|
LAPA New York (Latin America Parents Association) |
LAPA NY
PO Box 339-340
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Email:
info@lapa.com
www.lapa.com
(718)
236-8689
|
All-volunteer organization of families who have
adopted or who are in the process of adopting
children from Latin America. Offers networking
with families, invitations to social, cultural, and
educational events, and participation in
international relief programs throughout Latin
America. |
|
Adoption Resource Network, Inc. |
Lisa Maynard
(585) 256-7967
1183 Monroe Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620
lmaynard@hillside.com
ww.arni.org
|
Welcome home classes, waiting families’ picnics,
meetings monthly, informational for prospective
parents. |
|
Adoptive Families for the Capital Region |
(518) 448-5295
PO Box 656
Wynantskill, NY 12198
www.timesunion.com/communities/afcr
Email: internationaladoptivefamilies@yahoo.com
Email group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IAFalbany
|
Meetings held in Albany county serving the capital
region/ support and guidance, free educational
programs, social events, quarterly newsletter,
adoptive family playgroup.
|
|
Adoptive Parents Committee |
Mark and Monica Holly,
Co-Presidents
(212) 304-8479
P.O. Box 3525
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-3525
Maholly@aol.com
www.adoptiveparents.org/
|
Pre-adoption workshops,
monthly meetings (each chapter), post-adoption
workshops, legislative education, annual conference.
Serves New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. |
|
Center for Family Development |
Dr. Arthur Weidman
(716) 810-0790
5820 Main Street, Suite 406
Williamsville, NY 14211-8305
AWeidman@concentric.net
|
Post-adoption support, pre and post-adoption medical
assessments, and psychologists available who are
experienced in adoption issues. |
|
Families Through Adoption |
David Salvatore
(315) 733-6984
10172 Campbell Road
Sauquoit, NY 13456
davesne@adelphia.net
|
|
|
Friends of Children Everywhere |
Kathy Myles
(516) 931-6080
65 Bridle Lane
Hisksville, NY 11801
|
100 families or less. Social events during the
year for the general membership. |
|
Greater Rochester Community/Single Adoptive
Parents*** |
Sue Bayer
(716) 271-5996
100 Hollywood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
|
Advocacy assistance, buddy program, support group
meetings. |
|
New York State Citizens Coalition for Children*** |
Judith Ashton
(607) 272-0034
410 East Upland Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
Email:
jashton@nysccc.org
www.nysccc.org
|
Advocacy assistance, conferences, educational
meetings, publications, resource library, trainings,
web site, parent recruitment, support group
meetings, warm line. |
|
NY Singles Adopting Children, Inc. *** |
Barbara Perrin
(212) 259-9402
PO Box 472
Glen Oaks, NY 11004
Email
nysac@aol.com
|
Support group meetings for single adoptive parents. |
|
Post Adoption Resource Center (POST) |
Parsons Child and Family Center
Cheryl Moses
(518) 426-2840
60 Academy Road
Albany, NY 12208
|
|
|
Brownstone Brooklyn Jewish Adoptive Parents
Group***
Single Adoptive Parent Network***
Manhattan Adoptive Parents Group*** |
Susan Kupferberg
(212) 558-9949
Congregation Beth Elohim
274 Garfield Place
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Congregation Ansche Chesed
251 West 100th Street
New York, NY 10025
UJA Federation
130 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
|
Resource library, advocacy assistance, buddy
program, children's meetings, educational meetings,
newsletter, publications, social activities, support
group meetings.
Populations served: Transracial/cultural, adoptive
parents, pre-adoptive parents, gay/lesbian parents,
single parents, domestic and international adoptive
parents.
|
|
Asian Connection of Western NY
(Buffalo-Niagra FCC) |
Cindi Mikulik, President
(716) 839-3261
|
Has over 200 families with children adopted from
Asia, very active chapter. |
Pennsylvania:
|
GROUP |
CONTACT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Families with Children from China
Pennsylvania Chapters:
FCC-Lehigh Valley Chapter
Berks County Chapter
Columbia County Chapter
Lebanon Chapter
Philadelphia Chapter
Pittsburgh Chapter
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Chapter
Williamsport Chapter
York Chapter |
http://www.fwcc.org/
Please visit the above website to find contact
information for the chapter nearest you.
|
FCC is an organization of families who have adopted
children from China. The purpose of FCC is providing
a network of support for families who've adopted in
China and to provide information to prospective
parents. |
|
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) |
Jennifer Greenman (President)
4 Thomas Drive
Boothwyn, PA 19061
(610) 361-8132
www.orgsites.com/pa/frua-pa
|
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union,
cultural and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture
series, forum for advocating adoption from the
former Soviet Union. |
|
Latin American Parents Association – National
Capital Region (LAPA) |
866-206-9067 Ext. 6940
PO Box 4403
Silver Spring, MD 20904
http://www.lapa-ncr.org/
(DC chapter covers Pennsylvania, DC, and Maryland)
|
All-volunteer organization of families who have
adopted or who are in the process of adopting
children from Latin America. Offers networking
with families, invitations to social, cultural, and
educational events, and Participation in
international relief programs throughout Latin
America.
|
|
Gathering International Families Together |
Lita Shillenn
(717) 786-7658
Quarryville, PA
giftgroup@epix.net |
|
|
Sharing Transracial Adoption Resources and Support
(STARS) |
Theresa Alden
(717) 808-3472
1403 Valley Road
Lancaster, PA 17603
info@starsfamily.org
www.starsfamily.org
|
Monthly meetings in Lancaster’s Church of the
Apostles, free membership, free child care during
non-social meetings.
|
|
Transcultural Adoptive Families (TAF) |
Pat Suhody
(412) 561-9021
PO Box 13069
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
PennaTAF@Verizon.net
|
For international and domestic families, $20
registration, social activities, do lots of
charitable work, about 35 families.
|
|
Together as Adoptive Parents (TAP) |
Phyllis Stevens
(215) 256-0669
478 Moyers Road
Harleysville, PA 19438-2302
taplink@comcast.net |
Support for adoption, foster care, kinship care,
meet monthly, single moms group meets for luncheon
Tuesday afternoons, educational meetings for parents
accompanied by children’s program, holiday
activities, conference every year in Philly, no fee,
quarterly newsletter, advocacy work.
|
Washington, DC
|
Families with Children from China (FCC) |
Derek Sweetman (President of DC chapter)
president@fcccapital.org
membership@fcccapital.com (to join)
http://www.fcccapital.com/
http://www.fccmaryland.org/ (MD chapter)
|
Membership is $25/year. Newsletter, Chinese New
Year's Celebration, Autumn Moon Culture Day
Celebration, and parenting/adoption issue panels.
Support group meetings for waiting parents, regional
playgroups. |
|
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) |
Eileen
866-206-9067 Ext. 6940
Washington, DC
Email:
frua-dc@onebox.com
www.frua.org/dc |
Non-profit support network for adoptive families
with children from the former Soviet Union,
cultural and ethnic events, newsletter and lecture
series, forum for advocating adoption from the
former Soviet Union.
|
|
Russia and Kazakhstan families |
Anthony A. Chico
www.drchico. | |
