Adoption Resource Guide
LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS/NETWORKS
ADOPTIVE PARENTS CIRCLE: Hosted through Monadnock Family Services. First and third Thursdays of the month, 5:30pm, 24 Vernon Street, Keene. Information: Elizabeth at (603) 355-3082.
ADOPTIVE PARENTS OF OLDER CHILDREN: An informal group offering mutual support for adoptive parents of children adolescent-age through adulthood who present serious emotional and behavioral challenges. First and third Thursday of the month, Brattleboro. For location and more information, contact Nancy Birge, Casey Family Services, at (802) 649-1400.
ADOPTIVE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN SUPPORT GROUP: Sponsored by Lund Family Center and Casey Family Services for parents of children age birth to adolescence. Every third Monday of the month, 6:15-8:15 pm, Brattleboro. For location and more information, contact Nancy Birge, Casey Family Services, at (802) 649-1400.
BRATTLEBORO AREA ADOPTION PLAYGROUP: For children and their adoptive parents, with occasional opportunities for information and consultation on child development and adoption issues. Bring a child-friendly potluck item to share. Third Friday of the month, KidsPLAYce, Brattleboro. 5-7pm (meets at Living Memorial Park June through September). Information: contact Norma Willingham at (802) 257-4300.
GRANDPARENT/KINSHIP CIRCLE: Support group for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings, who are parenting children. First and last Tuesday of the month, 6-8pm, LifeArt Building, Roxbury Street, Keene. Information: Elizabeth at (603) 355-3082.
KINSHIP AND FOSTER CARE SUPPORT GROUP: A weekly venue in which fostering grandparents/relatives can meet, support each other, and share ideas. Thursday, 9-10:30am, Early Education Services, Brattleboro. Information, contact Jennifer Mazur or David Bayer at (802) 254-3742.
YOUNG ADOPTED GIRLS GROUP: A twice-monthly group for pre- and early adolescents with a structured focus on learning social skills. A concurrent parent group meets during the first meeting of the month. Bellows Falls. For times and locations contact Sharon Goedkoop at (802) 649-1400.
REGIONAL RESOURCES/NH
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN, INC
26 Fairview Street, Keene, NH 03431; (800) 940-4456; adfams@msn.com
Licensed by the State of New Hampshire to provide complete adoption services for children, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Pregnancy and adoption counseling, along with referrals to other desired services, are available for parents, at no cost, needing to consider placing their child for adoption. Temporary, voluntary foster care is offered, if needed.
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF NH
www.cfsnh.org
99 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03105; (800) 640-6486
Comprehensive services to adoptive parents, birthparents, adoptees, birthparent counseling, post-adoption searches.
NEW HAMPSHIRE DIVISION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/DCYF
129 Pleasant Street - Brown Bldg., Concord NH 03301; (603) 271-4707
Has foster and adoption programs for NH families with a list of resources. Catherine Atkins, Adoption Supervisor.
NEW HAMPSHIRE FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT ASSOCIATION
www.nhfapa.org
PO Box 2802 Concord, NH 03301; (603) 229-1604, ext 635
Resources include foster parent trainings and workshops, conference information, adoption guide.
REGIONAL RESOURCES/VT
CASEY FAMILY SERVICES
www.caseyfamilyservices.org
Essex Junction Office: 160 Palmer Court, White River Junction, VT 05001; (800) 607-1400. Concord Office: 105 Loudon Road, Building 2, Concord, NH 03301; (800) 417-7375
Fully licensed and accredited non-profit child welfare agency providing a broad range of programs for children and families. Services include foster care for children; post-adoption, preservation and reunification services for families; community-based programs to help strengthen families and enable parents to provide healthy, nurturing environments; free bi-monthly Post-Adoption Program Newsletter. (Headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut with operating divisions in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.)
NORTHEASTERN FAMILY INSTITUTE
Black Mountain Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301; (802) 254-2558; lydia@sover.net
Specializes in placement of high needs foster children in therapeutic homes throughout Windham County.
PROJECT FAMILY VERMONT
www.projectfamilyvt.org
Brattleboro DCF District Office (802) 257-2888
A project of the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Lund Family Center. Dedicated to finding parents for Vermont children in need and helping parents and children access the support and services they need. For more information about adopting a waiting child, contact Toni Yandow at 1-800-746-7000; for more information about providing respite or foster care, contact the Brattleboro DCF district office at (802) 257-2888.
VERMONT ADOPTION CONSORTIUM
A statewide network of agencies offering post-adoption services to all adoptive families in Vermont, including information and referral, training opportunities, advocacy, help with school and community issues, support and discussion groups, educational resources, respite services, counseling, and intensive supports. Contact Patti Smith at (802) 223-4744 for more information.
VERMONT CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
www.vtcas.org
Woodstock Office: 32 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, VT 05091; (802) 457-3084
Child-centered social services including lifetime adoption services, pregnancy counseling, child counseling, family counseling, and birth-parent support services. Serving Vermont as well as Grafton, Sullivan, and Cheshire Counties in NH.
VERMONT DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
www.dcf.state.vt.us
103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676-1201; (800) 287-0589 or (802) 241-2100
Resources for adoption and foster care in Vermont.
VERMONT FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES ASSOCIATION
(800) 746-7000
A grassroots network of foster and adoptive parents throughout Vermont. Membership benefits include annual conferences, a newsletter, ongoing training and networking opportunities, and peer support.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
ADMINSTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_services.html
Boston Regional Office, JFK Federal Building, Room 2000, Boston, MA 02203; (617) 565-1020
The federal government department for helping children and families. Their web site has information about adoption and foster care as well as a national directory.
ADOPTION CLUBHOUSE
www.adoptionclubhouse.org
Website for adopted children featuring a message board, children’s writing, “adoption talk,” resources, booklists, and more.
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
www.adoptivefamilies.com
39 West 37th Street, 15th Floor. New York, NY 10018; (646) 366-0830
A national adoption magazine and information source for families before, during, and after adoption.
ADOPTION NETWORK LAW CENTER
www.adopt.com
The web site has information on adoption on the state, national and international levels. You can find links to law professionals, private and public agencies, and resources on almost every aspect of adoption.
CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION GATEWAY
www.childwelfare.gov
Children's Bureau/ACYF, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20024; (800) 394-3366
A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Provides access to print and electronic publications, websites, and online databases covering a wide range of topics.
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
www.adopt.org
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701, Philadelphia, PA 19102; (800) 862-3678
Information and referral services for families interested in adopting children with special needs; resource packets on various adoption topics; links to internet adoption sites; registration on a national database of children and families approved to adopt. Provides several important on-line resources: The Learning Center at www.adoptnet.org featuring chats, workshops, message boards, and access to adoption-related articles; a special website just for adopted children at www.adoptionclubhouse.org; and the National Adoption Center eZine at www.naczine.net.
NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL ON ADOPTABLE CHILDREN
www.nacac.org
970 Raymond Avenue, Suite 106, St. Paul, MN 55114-1149; (651) 644-3036
Maintains a listing of adoptive parent support groups and other sources of information about special needs adoption.
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