Berkeley Parents Network: Adoptive Parent Groups & Workshops

Berkeley Parents Network

Adoptive Parent Groups & Workshops

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Groups, Clubs, & Teams > Adoptive Parent Groups & Workshops

April 2006

Adoptive Parents Support Group for challenging kids

I am looking for a SUPPORT GROUP for parents of adopted children with challenging behavioral problems. Specifically, my child is a preschooler (five years old) with reactive attachment issues and sensory integration disorders.

Any existing support groups out there in the general East Bay area (Oakland, Berkeley & beyond)? Maybe a psychotherapist or counselor-led group? Hoping for low or no fees.

Also, know of any effective OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS who specialize in sensory integration therapy for children? Parent desperately seeking support!

Recommended:

A Better Way Foster and Adoption Agency

Virginia Keeler-Wolf (2 replies)

Rita Montez Occupational Therapist

Resolve

June 1999
If you haven't heard about the group RESOLVE, they put on excellent periodic conferences on adoption and also have periodic other shorter, evening programs (e.g. introduction to adoption). They also organize adoption support groups for families going through the adoption process. Their number is 415 788--6772.

Leah 

Replying to the question about resources for adoptive parents. My good
friend Jonathan Pannor offers these workshops and I've been meaning to
post this. He is a wonderful person (I'm his friend and haven't been in
his groups) and has adopted a child himself. His father is also an
expert on adoptiona and pioneered open adoption. 

Creating Healthy Families Through Adoption
Two Part Educational Workshops for Parents of Children Ages 0-5 Years
Old
by

Jonathan Pannor, LCSW

Schedule for Winter, 2000
January 15, 22
February 5, 12
March 4, 11

This special program is for couples, single parents and adult family
members who have adopted children and are beginning to deal with some of
the
early issues of adoption.  Groups will include time for discussion and
questions.

Topics will include:
-When to tell your child about adoption
- How to discuss adoption with your child
- How much to tell your child about adoption
- Talking with family members, loved ones, schools and others about the
adoption
- Identity and self esteem
- Birth parent issues
- Cultural and Religious issues
- International Adoption
- Understanding and working with open adoption

Jonathan Pannor, LCSW, is a clinical social worker in private practice
in the Bay area.

Cost: $100.00 Per Person

For information about this workshop and workshops for parents of
children of all ages
PLEASE CALL
(415) 777-4008

http://home.earthlink.net/~jonpannor/

Jonathan Pannor, LCSW
Support Groups for Adoptive Parents
and Caregivers of Elderly Family Members
jonpannor AT earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~jonpannor/
(415) 777-4008

Resources for adoptive parents. Here are a few off the top of my head. The resource groups for parents often offer specific opportunities for adoptive parents. For instance, Neighborhood Moms, a parent support and resources group (510-527-MOMS) helps people organize volunteer support groups, including ones for adoptive families. There is a small annual membership fee which includes a monthly newsletter. Bananas, a family resources organization, offers all kinds of resources and workshops, some focussed on adoption or fostering, and can be reached at www.bananasinc.org or bananainc AT aol.com (NB: I recently failed to connect to the website). There is a group for Single Adoptive Parents which meets about once a month (contact numbers in past digests). And there is a group in SF called Pact, an Adoption Alliance, which places kids but also publishes a really good listing of books and resources for adoptive families (for sale, that is). It's a paid membership, but the website and initial info pack are free. Their website http://www.comlab.fsu.edu/jalah/contact/ includes the following blurb under

Educational resources: Pact has now developed the nation's most comprehensive reference guide to books on adoption and/or race. In this informed reference guide to books on adoption, foster care, race and cultural issues, you'll find information on more than 1,000 titles; each description includes reviews, "who-should-read'" guides and a brief synopsis. 100 percent of the catalogue's profits support Pact's services for adoption of children of color. Members receive discounted pricing on every order. One hard copy of this reference guide is included with membership. You can order additional copies of the important resource, printed in hard copy, to give to relatives, friends, schools, agencies, support groups and libraries.

I'm a single adoptive mom, and to be honest I depend for most of my support on my friends, family and my daughter's fabulous daycare (and yes, occasionally a paid babysitter, too!). I always mean to connect with the resources I've mentioned, and read more books but I'm usually too busy or tired!! :)) Good luck and cheers to you for adopting!

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