Participants in the various groups offered by Spence-Chapin discuss feelings and concerns about a range of issues related to being an adoptive parent, a single adoptive parent, adoptive parents of teens and young adults, or a birth parent. The goals of these groups are to foster open communication in a supportive environment that provides participants with a sense of community and enhances overall coping with the various demands of being part of the adoption triad. Individuals who did not originally use Spence-Chapin services are welcome. All groups are confidential.

Adoptive Parents Group:

Adoptive parents are sometimes faced with unique parenting issues. This group acknowledges this and focuses on providing opportunities to discuss topics such as:

• talking to your child about adoption
  
• dealing with people's questions and comments
  
• child discipline
  
• negotiating relationships with birth parents
  
• how to work with school systems, etc.

Who should attend?
This group is open to parents with children 12 and under. The Group is facilitated by Rena Tucker, LMSW. There is no charge for attendance. Childcare can be provided for a fee. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, contact Rena Tucker, LMSW at 212-360-0264 or rtucker@spence-chapin.org.

Single Parents Support Group:

This group is focused on issues of mutual interest and concern for single adoptive parents. The meetings cover a broad range of parenting topics but particularly look at the issues confronting single parents, such as how to deal with a child who wants you to get them a father or mother, dating, dealing with the school system, etc. Contact Beth Friedberg at 212-360-0235 or bfriedberg@spence-chapin.org.

Adult Adoptee Support Group:

Spence-Chapin currently conducts an ongoing support group for adult adoptees. Members explore adoption-related issues of mutual concern. Jennie Dunn, LMSW, is the facilitator of this support group. If you are interested in hearing more about this group, please contact Jennie at 212-360-0215 or jdunn@spence-chapin.org.

Conscious of the different experiences women who made an adoption plan within the past three years may have had from those in previous years, we have two different groups for birth parents.

Birth Parent Support Group:

The group will focus on issues such as the grief of relinquishing children, communicating to others about the experience of being a birth mother, search and other issues of mutual interest and concern for birth parents who made adoption plans for their children several years ago. Contact Jamila Cleary at 212-360-0259 or jcleary@spence-chapin.org.