Connect2Connect: Community Gathering
2026-07-19 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St, St. Paul, 55101
Join Us for Community & Connection
Connect2Connect provides opportunities for foster and adoptive families to connect with one another and build relationships in an in-person, interactive, and fun way. Connect2Connect is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families Permanency Support Service grant.
Sunday, July 19th, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. – End of Game (CT)
CHS Field – Saint Paul
Please join us for a Saints Baseball Game at CHS Field in St. Paul!!! This family-friendly experience is a crowd favorite and sure to be memorable for your kiddos! We have a block of seats reserved for our group. Meal tickets will be provided. All details will be shared with registrants as we get closer to the date.

Important Registration Details:
Because this is a ticketed event with limited seating, we must be exact with our attendance numbers. This event is intended for immediate family members only (parents/guardians and children living in the household). Thank you for your understanding!
Please note: You will receive an email with waivers for the event within a week after registering. If you do not complete the waivers by the deadline, you will forfeit your spot to attend.

Support Group: Sunday Night Owl Group
2026-07-19 21:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-26 21:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-02 21:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-09 21:00 - 22:00
Weekly late-night virtual support for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers.
Click on the Support Group Link to join.
Facilitated by Nitara Frost
Senior Parent Support Specialist

Relative & Kinship Share & Support Group
2026-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
This is a welcoming virtual space for caregivers of relative and kin youth – whether through foster care or informal arrangements – to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

Together Yet Alone: How the Most Connected Generation is the Loneliest
2026-07-21 11:00 - 12:30
Today’s youth are more digitally connected than any generation in history, yet rates of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection continue to rise. This engaging training explores the growing youth loneliness epidemic, its impact on mental health, substance use, empathy, and behavioral outcomes, and why online connection often fails to meet deeper social needs. Participants will examine the powerful relationship between connection and resilience while learning practical strategies to help young people build meaningful relationships and a stronger sense of belonging.

LSS Webinar Series on Ages and Stages: Youth ages 9-13
2026-07-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Link
This workshop aims to help parents and caregivers feel more confident in understanding and discussing important elements of youth development (physical, emotional and social). It begins by leading parents, caregivers and caring adults through healthy developmental milestones for youth, including discussions of behaviors that are considered developmentally typical but can often feel concerning or confusing as well as when to be concerned about developmentally atypical behaviors. Then, participants discuss tips for starting developmentally appropriate conversations around these topics, which can potentially feel difficult or awkward. Participants are also able to practice having some of these conversations so that they feel more prepared to have them in real life and are able to ask their questions to developmental experts on the SELF team.

This workshop focuses on developmental milestones for youth ages 9-13

SELF Presenting
Seeing and Exploring Life’s Future (SELF) provides education programming on topics including healthy development, relationships and decision making. SELF is for all ages and stages of life to empower youth and those who support them with knowledge and tools to promote healthy development, good decision-making and forming positive, caring relationships.

Support Group: General Parenting Support
2026-07-22 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-29 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-05 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-12 09:00 - 10:30
Virtual weekly support for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers.
Click on the Support Group Link to join.
Facilitated by Julie Peterson
Parent Support Specialist

Support Group: Rainbow Families Support
2026-07-22 19:30 - 21:00
Virtual support for LGBTQIA2S+ adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers.
Click on the Support Group Link to join.
Facilitated by Nitara Frost
Senior Parent Support Specialist

Navigating First Family Connections in Adoption
2026-07-23 10:00 - 12:00
Navigating the complexities of biological relationships can be a sensitive and challenging process for many adoptees. Adoptees may seek out connections with their first family members for a variety of reasons, and as adoption professionals, it is crucial to provide a safe and supportive space for the exploration of these relationships. Factors such as assessing safety, developing realistic expectations, gauging emotional preparedness, setting boundaries, planning contact, respecting privacy, and building open and honest communication will be discussed.

Foster Care and Education Classes – Online
2026-07-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-12 17:00 - 18:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
The online track is best suited for individuals who want flexibility, have limited business hour availability, and/or those who prefer virtual learning.
Couples may complete their education together or pursue it separately. Either way, each participant must attend the entirety of their chosen track.
In this track, you will complete your education over a four-week period. In addition to pre- and post-tests to assess your learning, you will participate in a required, pre-scheduled check-in with our education facilitators each week.
This class is available in Spanish upon request.

Caregiver Roundtable
2026-07-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Ampersand Families Office, 1751 County Rd B West Suite 300, Roseville, 55113
For all Ampersand-affiliated adoptive, pre-adoptive, and kinship caregivers. Caregivers are invited to share their experiences and get support from other caregivers while youth participate in an activity supervised by Ampersand Families staff. Dinner is provided for all. Invites go out approximately 2 weeks before the event. Hybrid option available. Please RSVP to mina@ampersandfamilies.org.

Kinship Support Group
2026-07-24 12:00 - 13:30 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
Our Kinship Support Group meets from 12:00–1:30 PM on the 4th Friday of each month, creating a safe and supportive space for caregivers. Each session offers opportunities to share experiences, gain resources, and build connections. Meetings alternate monthly between in‑person and virtual sessions for added flexibility.
During the in-person sessions, light snacks and refreshments will be provided. EVOLVE’s Kinship Support Group will be facilitated by Cierra Buckner, LSW, in partnership with EVOLVE. Each in-person session will be at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (451 Lexington Parkway N, St. Paul, 55104) in the Merriam Park 2410 space.

Support Group: General Parenting Support (evening)
2026-07-27 18:30 - 20:00
Virtual monthly support for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers.
Click on the Support Group Link to join.
Facilitated by Katie Neuman
Parent Support Specialist

Hibbing & Virginia Area Family Picnic
2026-07-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Pizza Ranch Hibbing, 2502 E Beltline, Hibbing, 55746
North Homes Children and Family Services is excited to host FREE summer picnics that are open to ALL foster, adoptive and kinship families in Minnesota.
Pizza Ranch – Hibbing – 5:00-6:15pm
Ice Bumper Cars – Virginia – 6:30-8:00pm

Support Group: Central MN Parenting Support
2026-07-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 56301
Join our in-person support group for foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers in St Cloud and surrounding area.
Childcare and dinner are provided.
Pre-registration is required. Click on the Support Group Link to pre-register.
Location: 1300 W. St. Germain St. Room 268
Facilitated by Katie Nueman
Parent Support Specialist

Family Picnic Bemidji Area
2026-07-29 17:00 - 19:30 | Giovanni’s Pizza, 104 1st Street West, Bemidji, 56601
North Homes Children and Family Services is excited to host FREE summer picnics that are open to all foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Minnesota.
Giovanni’s Pizza – Bemidji – 5:00-6:30pm
Boardwalk Mini Golf 5:30-8:00pm

Foster Care and Adoption Education Classes – Hybrid
2026-07-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Children’s Home – St. Paul Office, 1605 Eustis Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, United States
This education option is the balance between the in-person and online options. It is best suited for individuals who want to move swiftly and prefer a blended learning style.
Your education will begin with an online pre-test as well as introductory and a guest speaker section of online learning. This can be completed at your convenience prior to the one required live session. The live session is a shorter, in-person day of learning. Following the in-person session, you will finish by viewing content from two more guest speakers, closing online material, and a post-test.

In-Person Kinship Support and Education Groups
2026-08-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Peace Lutheran Church, 4512 France Ave N, Robbinsdale, 55422
Our Kinship Support and Education Groups are open to all kinship caregivers- those caring for a relative’s or friend’s child. We offer both virtual and in-person group sessions. Virtual sessions occur the first and third Friday of every month, while the in-person sessions take place the first Saturday of every month.
Join us when you can for mutual support, ideas.

Support Group: Parenting Teens & Young Adults
2026-08-03 14:00 - 15:30
Virtual monthly parenting support for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers of youth and young adults.
Click on the Support Group Link to join.
Facilitated by Nitara Frost
Senior Parent Support Specialist

Share and Support Group
2026-08-03 19:00 - 21:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
Support Groups are an excellent tool where families are able to share experiences and encourage each other in a confidential, non-judgmental setting. Support Groups are facilitated by North Homes case managers, with years of experience in both adoption and foster care fields. It is an opportune time for families to network, problem solve, and gather information on available resources and trainings.

Family Picnic Thief River Falls
2026-08-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Oakland Park West, 123 Baken Street, Thief River Falls, 56701
North Homes Children and Family Services is excited to host free summer picnics that are open to all foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Minnesota

Virtual Kinship Support & Education Group
2026-08-07 09:30 - 11:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
1st & 3rd Fridays of the Month
9:30-10:45 am on Zoom
Facilitator: Janet Salo, Kinship Navigator
Providing education, information and mutual support for kinship caregivers-those caring for a relative’s or friend’s child. Thoughtful topics that help you in your role as a kinship caregiver such as child development, relationships with adult children, understanding trauma, mental health resources and more!

Share and Support Group
2026-08-12 12:00 - 14:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
Support Groups are an excellent tool where families are able to share experiences and encourage each other in a confidential, non-judgmental setting. Support Groups are facilitated by North Homes case managers, with years of experience in both adoption and foster care fields. It is an opportune time for families to network, problem solve and gather information on available resources and trainings.
