Counseling and Support — US and Canada
These first links are from the AAC website. Many have found them helpful!
- Post-Adoption Support Groups by State (PDF, 100 KB)
- Frequently Asked Search Questions
- International Soundex Reunion Registry by Anthony S. Vilardi
- Search and Reunion Etiquette: The Guide Miss Manners Never Wrote
by Monica M. Byrne
The links below will also help you find adoption support resources in your area.
Arizona
Search Triad, Inc.
PO Box 10181
Phoenix, Arizona 85064-0181
480-834-7417
searchtriad@att.net
Helping to reunite people separated by adoption, foster care or divorce
California
Adoption Care Services
235 E. Colorado Blvd. #386
Pasadena, CA 91101-1903
818-623-6688
Contact Carolyn Garrett
Adoption related support and workshops for parents-to-be, adoptive families and all triad members.
Concerned United Birthparents, Inc.
P.O. Box 503475
San Diego, CA 92150-3475
800-822-2777
858-712-3317 (Fax)
Adoption Support Services
Child Welfare League of America
Western Region Office
155 North Occidental Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026-4641
213-383-1574
213-387-9034 (Fax)
western@cwla.org
Dr. Marlou Russell
1452 26th Street, Suite 103
Santa Monica, California 90404
310-829-1438
310-476-1963 (Fax)
Dr. Marlou Russell, Ph.D (Author and individual adoption counselor) Author of Adoption Wisdom, a Guide to the Issues and Feelings of Adoption and a respected psychologist in private practice in Santa Monica, California who works with adopted people, birth parents, and adoptive families. Dr. Russell speaks and writes on adoption issues for triad members, the public, and mental health professionals. She is an adopted person in reunion with her birth family.
Kids & Families Together Center
856 E. Thompson Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
805-643-1446
805-643-0271 (Fax)
connect@kidsandfamilies.org
Kids and Families Together offers a safe and supportive resource center, where individuals, families and the community can meet and share information and concerns regarding foster, kinship and adoptive care.
Georgia
Adoption Triad Connection
Atlanta Area Search and Support Group
Group Meeting Facilitator: Leslie Pate Mackinnon, L.C.S.W.
404-705-5257
Vinings Library
Program Room
4290 Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
770-801-5330
Adoption Support Services
Illinois
Child Welfare League of America
Mid-West Region Office
c/o Adoption Information Center of Illinois
120 West Madison Street, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60602
312-701-0491
312-701-0493 (Fax)
midwest@cwla.org
Child support services
The Cradle
Renowned as one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country since opening in 1923, The Cradle provides lifelong support for all who are touched by adoption. The Cradle is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency licensed in Illinois. Look for information on The Cradle at www.cradle.org.
Indiana
Adoptive Identity Doorway (AID)
Support group for adopted adults or natural parents seeking relatives. Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Valley American Bank, Town and Country Shopping Center, Mishawaka.
Call 272-3520
Double Heritage Search and Support Group
Marion, IN
Lori Baxter at 765-384-5885
smile@comteck.com
Adoption search and support group
Healing Hearts
Marilyn Strohkirch
2814 Scarborough St.
Bloomington, Illinois 61704
309-820-0230
Adoption Support Services
Katrina Carlisle, social worker and full time searcher (or confidential intermediary) in Indianapolis, IN
317-787-3412
kcarlisle@stelizabeths.org
Maryland
The Barker Foundation
Barker is a private, nonprofit comprehensive adoption agency with post-adoption services for both domestic and international adoptees. Barker is licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Barker offers an Adopted Persons Discussion Group on the third Thursday of every month, starting on Thursday, January 15th, 2009.
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Place: The Barker Foundation
7979 Old Georgetown Road, 1st Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Entrance is on the side of the building, on Glenbrook Road & parking is available in the evening in the lot behind the building
This is an informal discussion group that is open to any adult adopted person. The group is free of charge and being facilitated by Susan Branco Alvarado, Licensed Professional Counselor, and adopted person.
To R.S.V.P or receive additional information please contact Varda Makovsky, Director of Family and Post-Adoption Services at (301) 664-9664 or by E-mail: vmakovsky@barkerfoundation.org.
Adoptee-Birthparent Support Network
Adoptions Finalized in Maryland
Mutual Consent Registry and Adoption Search Services
Department of Human Resources
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
800-39-ADOPT
The Center for Adoption Support (C.A.S.E.)
A non-profit organization that provides counselling and family support services (plus books, workshops, trainings and more) for foster and adopted children, teens, adults and all who are touched by adoption. www.adoptionsupport.org
Child Welfare League of America
Mid-Atlantic Region Office
c/o Board of Child Care
3300 Gaither Road
Baltimore, MD 21244
410-496-5607
410-496-5624 (Fax)
Child Support Services
Massachusetts
Adoption Community of New England, Inc.
45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 366-6812
Fax: (508) 366-6813
Email: info@AdoptionCommunityofNE.org
Web: http://www.adoptioncommunityofne.org
The Center for Family Connections
P.O. Box 383246
Cambridge, MA 02238-3246
617-547-0909
617-497 5952 (Fax)
An excellent private, non-profit organization dedicated to the education and counseling of families blended by adoption, foster care, guardianship, kinship and divorce. Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, author of The Family of Adoption (Beacon Press) has developed models for therapy and training over 25 years.
www.kinnect.org
Child Welfare League of America
New England Region Office
2 Adams Place, Suite 305
Quincy, MA 02169
617-770-3008
617-770-4464 (Fax)
newengland@cwla.org
Adoption Resource Center
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
56 Hartford Street
Newton, MA 02461
617-332-8944
775-796-6592 (Fax)
info@adoptioninstitute.org
Betty Jean Lifton, Ph.D.
Adoption counselor and noted author of Journey of the Adopted Self and Lost and Found.
Works with all members of the adoption triad in Cambridge, MA and New York City.Also does telephone counseling across the country. 617-547-5672.For details go to www.bjlifton.com
Michigan
Open Adoption Insight
721 Hawthorne
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-543-0997
brenr@openadoptioninsight.org
Missouri
Three Triad Support groups in Kansas City Area Contact Carolyn Pooler (gapmother@aol.com)
Marilyn Waugh, Hosts as support group in Topeka Kansas.
Minnesota
Sharon Stein McNamara, Ed.D., L.P., working with adopted people and others in the process of search and reunion
521 Tanglewood Drive
Shoreview, MN 55126
(651) 698-1799
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
952-838-9000
TTY: 952-838-0190
Toll-free in Greater Minnesota: 800-537-2237
952-838-0199 (Fax)
pacer@pacer.org
Nebraska
Child Welfare League of America
Nebraska Office
6910 Ash Hollow Lane, Suite 101
Lincoln, NE 68516
402-730-9275
720-570-9488
720-570-9490 (Fax)
mountainplains@cwla.org
New England
Adoption Community of New England, Inc.
45 Lyman Street, 2 South Terrace,
Wesborough, MA 01581
Tel: 508.366.6812
info@AdoptionCommunityofNE.org
www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org
Nevada
PA Adoption Reunion Registry
I.S.R.R.
P.O. Box 2312
Carson City, Nevada 89702-2312
702-882-7755
karkan@comcast.net
New Jersey
The New Jersey Coalition for Adoption Reform and Education (NJCARE), www.nj-care.org, is a grass roots organization that supports honesty in adoption through educational outreach and legislative advocacy. We are dedicated to the proposition that all persons are created equal and should have the same civil rights under the law. New Jersey-born adoptees have been denied the right to receive a copy of their original birth certificate since 1940!
NJCARE believes that adult adopted persons should have the right:
· to know the truth of their origins
· to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate
· to have access to updated family medical, cultural, and social information upon request.
To know the truth of one’s origin is the right of every human being.
NJCARE is affiliated with the American Adoption Congress. AAC is a national organization composed of individuals, families, and organizations committed to adoption reform. AAC’s Mission is: Through education and advocacy, the American Adoption Congress promotes honesty, openness and respect for family connections in adoption, foster care and assisted reproduction. For more information, go to www.americanadoptioncongress.org.
Excellent support group meets 11.00 am on the first Saturday of every month at the Presbyterian Church offices, South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearing House
76 South Orange Avenue, Suite 208
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-763-2041
brall@njarch.org
Full Circle Triad Post-Adoption Support Group of North Jersey
Meetings in Paramus, NJ.
Website is www.fullcircletriadnj.com
Cindi Addesso: 973-427-4521
cindilouwho@mindspring.com and/or sswanzer@aol.com
NJ ARCH is a State-Funded service that provides support to all
members of the adoption constellation.* Our goal is to direct
people to appropriate adoption services in New Jersey.
*The adoption constellation includes anyone
whose life is touched by adoption, including
those who receive and/or deliver services.
Have an Adoption Question?
Feel free to contact our warm-line at: 1.877.4ARCHNJ (1.877.427.2465)
OR e-mail us at: warmline@njarch.org
We have staff available to help you in English and Spanish.
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New Mexico
Operation Identity
13101 Blackstone Road, NE
Albuquerue, New Mexico
505-293-3144
A support group for persons with adoption connections
New York
Joan Ingber, psychotherapist with profound understanding of adoption issues located in Manhattan in the Columbus Circle area working with adopted/foster care children/adults for over ten years.
Joan Ingber, lcsw 212/724-4957
Allison Gold, MSW, LCSWR
Certified Psychoanalyst
135 East 50th Street, Suite 102
NY, NY 10022
212-535-2901
New York City support group for all members of the adoption triad held once a month in Manhattan, at The Church Of The Village, 201 West 13th Street (Corner of 13th street and Seventh AvenueNYC Leaders are Sue Mcquirk, licenced NYS Social Worker (Adoptee) and Carol Schaefer, Author of The Other Mother (Birth mother.) For details email smknights7@aol.com or tel 212 867 6056.
NY Adoptees We help parents, adoptees, and families and friends. www.nyadoptees.com Another group that helps with all states: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theregistry Again, we help everyone that wants help finding their loved ones. Thank you.
Child Welfare League of America
New York Office
c/o St. Christopher’s Inc.
Parkchester Family Center
1990 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
718-239-1610 ext 1079
718-409-6864 (Fax)
midatlantic@cwla.org
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
New York Headquarters
525 Broadway, 6th floor
New York, NY 10012
212-925-4089
775-796-6592 (Fax)
info@adoptioninstitute.org
The Felix Organization
Adoptees For Children
43 Oyster Bay Road
Locust Valley, New York 11560
212-877-4025.
NYS Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034
607-272-0035 (Fax)
office@nysccc.org
ALMA – Adoptees Liberty Movement Association
www.almasociety.org
Adoption Crossroads
www.adoptioncrossroads.org
North Carolina
North Carolina Coalition for Adoption Reform
PO Box 52311
Durham, NC 27707
919-321-8551
919-321-0053 (Fax)
nccar@mindspring.com
Ohio
Adoption Network Cleveland
1667 East 40th Street
Suite B-1
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-881-7511
216-881-7510 (Fax)
Adoption Network Cleveland (ANC) is a non-profit educational, support, advocacy and search organization for people affected by adoption.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
4150 Tuller Road
Suite 204
Dublin, Ohio 43017
800-ASK-DTFA (1-800-275-3832)
614-766-3871 (Fax)
info@davethomasfoundation.org
Families with Chinese Children (FCC)
New Roots
P.O. Box 1495
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-470-0846
A loose confederation of families who have adopted children of Chinese heritage.
Oklahoma
Bastard Nation
P.O. Box 1469
Edmond, OK 73083-1469
415-704-3166
members@bastards.org
OK Post-Adoption Triad Support Group
Meets 1st Sat. each month at 2pm
Brookside Library
Tulsa, OK
918-369-1279
Oregon
Holt International Children’s Services
www.holtinternational.org
Adoption Connections of Oregon
www.adoptionconnectionsoforegon.org
P.O. Box 10581
Eugene,Oregon 97440
1-541-682-4096
Pennsylvania
Adoption Forum, Inc.
29 Random Road
Douglassville, PA 19518
215-238-1116
info@adoptionforum.org
Pennsylvania nonprofit Adoption Support organization established in 1973
National Adoption Center
1500 Walnut Street – Suite 701
Philadelphia, PA 19102
1-800-TO-ADOPT
Texas
DFW Triad Support Group
Facilitated by:
Carol L. Demuth, LCSW
Meetings: Monthly (except November) / Second Saturday / 1-3 P.M.
1311 N. Washington Ave.Dallas, TX 75204 (off of Live Oak)
Virginia
The Barker Foundation
Barker is a private, nonprofit comprehensive adoption agency with post-adoption services for both domestic and international adoptees. Barker is licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Barker offers an Adopted Persons Discussion Group on the third Thursday of every month, starting on Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Place: The Barker Foundation
7979 Old Georgetown Road, 1st Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Entrance is on the side of the building, on Glenbrook Road & parking is available in the evening in the lot behind the building
This is an informal discussion group that is open to any adult adopted person. The group is free of charge and being facilitated by Susan Branco Alvarado, Licensed Professional Counselor, and adopted person.
To R.S.V.P or receive additional information please contact Varda Makovsky, Director of Family and Post-Adoption Services at (301) 664-9664 or by E-mail: vmakovsky@barkerfoundation.org.
Adoptee-Birthparent Support Network
Adoptions Finalized in Virginia
Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Social Services
ATTN: Adoption Unit
730 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219-1849
Suzanne Ashford 804-726-7526
Jackie Gill 804-726-7523
For further information, contact ABSN at:
6439 Woodridge Road
Alexandria, VA 22312-1336
301-442-9106
ABSNmail@verizon.net
The Center for Adoption Support (C.A.S.E.)
A non-profit organization that provides counselling and family support services (plus books, workshops, trainings and more) for foster and adopted children, teens, adults and all who are touched by adoption. www.adoptionsupport.org
Child Welfare League of America
6066 Wooten Drive
Falls Church, VA 22044
703-533-3434
southern@cwla.org
Washington, DC
American Adoption Congress (AAC)
1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 9
Washington, DC 90036
800-274-OPEN
212-483-3399
The AAC has an annual national convention with a plethora of speakers; mental health professionals and anyone touched by adoption would benefit from attending. They also have local chapters and a fully comprehensive search and support referral service.
The Center for Adoption Support (C.A.S.E.)
A non-profit organization that provides counselling and family support services (plus books, workshops, trainings and more) for foster and adopted children, teens, adults and all who are touched by adoption. www.adoptionsupport.org
Child Welfare League of America
440 First Street, NW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20001-2085
202-638-2952
Washington
Washington Adoption Reunion Movement
5950 Sixth Avenue South
Suite 213
Seattle, WA 98108
206-767-9510, 24-hour voice mail system
206-763-4803 (Fax)
warm@warmsearch.org
Scattered Roots based in Olympia ,Washington. Monthly support meeting.
www.scatteredroots.org
The White Oak Foundation
312-666-5721
ILtreesurgeon@aol.com
Wisconsin
Adoption Triad Outreach, Inc
P.O. Box 370691
Milwaukee, WI 53237
searchteam@adoptiontriad.org
Canada
Adoption Council of Canada
210 – 211 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1R 6H5
613-235-0344 or 1-888-54-ADOPT
613-235-1728 (Fax)
acc@adoption.ca
Parent Finders of Canada
19 English Bluff Road
Delta, B.C. V4M 2M4
604-948-1069
604-948-2036 (Fax)