Support Groups

STATEWIDE ADOPTION, PERMANENCY, AND KINSHIP SUPPORT GROUPS

In-Person Adoption and Permanency Support Groups

Carroll Area Support Group
Who: Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families
Where: Carroll (contact Julie for exact location)
When: 4^th Wednesday of the Month
Contact Julie – jgore@fouroaks.org to learn more

Cedar Rapids Area Support Group
Who: Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families
Where: Pizza Ranch, 2450 Westdale Dr SW, Cedar Rapids IA
When: 2^nd Thursday of the Month, 11:30-2:30
Contact Lana – lkelsey@fouroaks.org to learn more

Council Bluffs Area Support Group
Who: Adoptive and Sub-Guardianship Families
Where: Council Bluffs LSI, 313 Story St
When: Every 4^th Thursday, 6-7pm (Starts July 2026)
Contact Amanda – alopez@fouroaks.org to learn more

Des Moines Area Support Group
Who: Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families
Where: Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, WDSM
When: 2^nd Tuesday 6:00-8:00pm
Childcare is available for children six months to 12 years
Contact Michelle – mijohnson@fouroaks.org to learn more

Ottumwa Area Support Group
Who: Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families
Where: Ottumwa Pizza Ranch
When: 2^nd Wednesday of the month, 11-1
Contact Shannon – sutoft@fouroaks.org to learn more

Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area Support Group
Who: Adoptive Families
Where: Alternating restaurants in Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area
When: 6^th of every month at 6pm
Contact Sarah – syant@fouroaks.org to learn more

Statewide Virtual Adoption and Permanency Support Groups

Kinship Families – Daytime
Who: Kinship Adoptive or Subsidized Guardianship Families
Where: Zoom
When: 3^rd Wednesday of the month, 12-1pm
Contact Calista – ccarr@fouroaks.org to learn more

Kinship Families – Evenings
Who: Kinship Adoptive or Subsidized Guardianship Families
Where: Zoom
When: 4^th Thursday of the month, 7-8pm
Contact Tiffany – thagar@fouroaks.org to learn more

Parenting Kids with BIG Behaviors – Daytime
Who: Adoptive or Subsidized Guardianship Parents supporting youth with BIG behaviors
Where: Zoom
When: 2^nd Monday of the month, 12-1pm
Contact Katie – kmiller@fouroaks.org to learn more

Parenting Kids who are Neurodiverse
Who: Adoptive or Subsidized Guardianship Parents of children who are neurodiverse
Where: Zoom
When: 1^st Monday of the month, 7-8pm
Contact Shannon – sutoft@fouroaks.org to learn more

Adoptive Parents
Who: Any and all adoptive or subsidized-guardianship parents
Where: Zoom
When: 1^st Tuesday of the month, 7-8pm
Contact Julie – jgore@fouroaks.org to learn more

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Training
(foster parent training credit available)
Who: Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Families
Where: Zoom
When: 3^rd Thursday of the month, 12-1pm
Contact Sabryna – sschmidt@fouroaks.org to learn more

FOSTER CONNECTION GROUPS
(FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES WELCOME)

Training and Connection Cedar Falls

When: 2nd Monday of the Month

Location: Orchard Hill Church, 3900 Orchard Hill Dr., Cedar Falls

Time: 5:30- 7:30 p.m. (5:30 potluck, 6:00 training)

Childcare is available. Please send an email to ikejuan2000@yahoo.com with ages of children.

Please register for EACH session you plan on
attending. Registration links can be found on
our training calendar:
https://iowafosterandadoption.org/northerniowa-training-calendar/

Grinnell Connection Group (In-person)

When: Third Monday of Each month

Time: 6-7 (Training), 7-8 (Support Group)

Where: 1510 Penrose Street Grinnell, IA

Contact 641-820-0640 or email lphillips@fouroaks.org for more information! This group is open to all foster parents whether you are currently fostering, are taking a break, or have adopted. We hope this group to be a support to one another!

Charles City Connection Group

When: 2nd Tuesday every other month (Aug, Oct, Dec, Feb, April)

Where: Messiah Lutheran Church, 705 3rd Ave., Charles City

5:30 to 8:00 p.m. (5:30 snacks and gathering, 6pm training)

Please register for EACH session you plan on attending. Registration links can be found on our training calendar.

Oskaloosa Connection Group

When: First Monday of Each month (Starting in October)

Time: 6-7 (Support Group), 7-8 (Training)

Where: Bridge Church building (old Slumberland) 1701 3rd Ave E Oskaloosa, IA 52577

No RSVP needed attend the ones that work for you and your schedule!

Mason City Connection Group

When: 2nd Tuesday every other month (Sept, Nov, Jan, Mar)

Where: HHS Building/Four Oaks office, 525 9th St SE, Mason City

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.