NACAC | Parent Groups

NACAC has published many resources to help group leaders and group members provide services to other adoptive parents and shape the group's direction and services. Please click on the links below to read more about parent group development and parent group programs. Please note that to read the PDF versions of these items, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download free from the Adobe web site.

AdoptUsKids and NACAC have partnered to provide support groups and associations the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant (in awards up to $5,000) to start a respite care program in partnership with their local public agency. The group must download and fill out an application and complete Part I of the proposal and designate a parent leader and public agency leader to attend a training in October 2010. To learn more, download the cover letter to the application. Please contact Diane Martin-Husman if you have any questions.

Publications

Starting and Nurturing Adoptive Parent Groups: A Guide for Leaders

Published in October 2002, NACAC's guide for new and experienced parent group leaders is available as a PDF or as a series of html files. Each chapter can also stand alone as a resource for a group seeking guidance in a particular area.

Adoption 101 Curriculum

This adoption awareness curriculum is designed to help adoptive parent group leaders and others train child welfare, medical, legal, education, and mental health professionals, and other community members to be more responsive to the needs of adopted children and to work more effectively with their families. A PDF of the Curriculum can be downloaded at no charge. (Please note the curriculum is 158 pages.)

Adoption 101 Table of Contents

Section I

Getting to Know Adoptive Families

Who Are the Children?

Common Special Needs

Understanding Adoption Developmentally

Who Are the Families?

Transracial Adoptions

Section II.

Adoption Is a Unique Experience

Understanding How Adoption is Different

Core Issues of Adoption

Section III.

Selected Qualities of Successful Adoptive Parents

Resources for Participants

Fact Sheets/Articles

Below are a series of fact sheets and other articles published by NACAC to help parent group leaders start or enhance their groups.

If you would like to receive additional fact sheets as NACAC publishes them, please send an e-mail to Diane Martin-Hushman, parent group coordinator, at hushman@nacac.org and ask to be placed on our parent group mailing list. Be sure to include a contact name, group name, and mailing address.

Parent Group Basics

The Value of Support Groups (download PDF version)

Parent Group Development

Parent Group Programs