Support Group: Sunday Night Owl Group
2025-07-20 21:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-27 21:00 - 22:00, 2025-08-03 21:00 - 22:00, 2025-08-10 21:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
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

The Impact of Technology and Social Media on Children and Adolescents
2025-07-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Link
Summertime means more time for social media! This presentation will provide an overview of the increasing rates of technology and social media among youth. It will discuss the impact of technology and social media usage that it has on children and teens socially, emotionally and cognitively. The presentation will provide practical tips to help children and teens manage social media usage along with helpful resources. It will discuss the importance of moderation and supervision along with tips for parents.

Dr. Heather Siek obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Development from NDSU in Fargo, ND. She went right on to graduate school where she obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She holds a license as a professional clinical counselor. She has spent the last 14 years working as an outpatient therapist at non-profit clinics specializing in anxiety disorders, early childhood trauma and behavioral disorders. She is trained in many evidence based interventions. She currently works full-time as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at MSUM in Moorhead, MN. She continues to see a few clients a week at a local non-profit, The Village Family Service Center. Heather is also an adoptive mother to a 5 year old little girl.

Parents of Adopted Adults Support Group
2025-07-22 12:00 - 13:30 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
A support group for individuals who have an adult (18+) child adopted through any type of adoption (infant, international, foster care adoption). Sessions will be held online. Parents from any placing agency/county are welcome to attend. While each story is unique, we recognize that there are many core similarities that adoption weaves into life experiences. Topics will be suggested, but each month the conversation will be open to relevant, participant-led, discussion. This is a safe, confidential space, the group is facilitated by parents of adult adoptees who are also CH/LSS staff.
After registration, you will receive information to join the next session. Please feel free to register for one, multiple, or all sessions. This service is provided by funding made possible by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Meeting Details
This group meets online and takes place on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:00–7:30 p.m. (CT). There is no cost to attend. You may register to attend one, multiple, or all dates offered below.
For virtual meetings, you will receive a Zoom link via email the day of the meeting.

Support Group: Central MN Parenting Support
2025-07-22 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

Support Group: General Parenting Support
2025-07-23 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-07-30 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-06 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-13 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
2025-07-23 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

Caregiver Roundtable
2025-07-24 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.

EVOLVE Kinship Support Group
2025-07-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul
The Kinship Support Group is a monthly meeting for Kinship Caregivers. The sessions will be at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation located at 451 Lexington Parkway N. St. Paul, MN 55104.
During the in-person sessions, light snacks and refreshments will be provided. EVOLVE’s Kinship Support Group will be facilitated by Cierra Buckner, LSW, from the Institute to Transform Child Protection, in partnership with EVOLVE.

Foster Care and Adoption Education Classes – Hybrid
2025-07-25 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-08 09:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Support Group: General Parenting Support (evening)
2025-07-28 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

Virtual Kinship Support & Education Group
2025-08-01 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!

In-Person Kinship Support and Education Groups
2025-08-02 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.

Foster Care and Education Classes – Online
2025-08-04 12:00 - 13:00 | – 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.

Adoption's Special Challenges in the Classroom
2025-08-04 13:00 - 14:00
PLEASE NOTE: To receive a certificate of attendance for the live webinar, attendees must register individually, attend the entire training, and watch from their own device to ensure proper tracking
In this webinar, Beth Syverson, adoptive parent, author, educator, and host of Unraveling Adoption podcast, you will gain awareness of the many complexities that adopted and fostered students experience in the classroom. Topics will include:
*Who needs to know an adopted/fostered person’s identity in school?
*Uncomfortable school assignments and how to deal with them
*Special mental health challenges that schools should be aware of
Beth will share quandaries and personal experiences she often hears from parents and schools she has worked with. Let’s work together to make the classroom a safer and more compassionate place for our adopted and fostered children and youth.

Support Group: Parenting Teens & Young Adults
2025-08-04 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
2025-08-04 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.

How Adults Can Interact with Children to Promote Emotional and Behavioral Regulation
2025-08-06 10:00 - 11:30 | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jC4WreBmTRKO5-kgadACNg
Children who have histories of complex trauma, including experiences of prenatal substance exposure, abuse, neglect, loss, and witness to violence often endure significant emotional and developmental struggles, sometimes even years after placement stability has been achieved. This workshop will explore the neurobiological impact of complex trauma, including the profound effects of early adverse experiences on brain development and behavior. Strategies to help adults promote emotional and behavioral regulation will be introduced, with focus on how adults show up, what adults can say, and tools adults can use to promote organized and regulated behavior. This overview will conclude with 15 minutes for Questions and Answers.
Dr. Chrisy Schmidt is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive training and expertise surrounding the assessment and treatment of children who have histories of prenatal substance exposure and complex trauma. Over the course of a long tenure at a nonprofit medical and behavioral health clinic, Dr. Schmidt lead the child adolescent psychology program, coordinated the student and postdoctoral training program, directed several foundation and federal grants, and provided numerous local and national trainings regarding pre- and postnatal trauma. [READ MORE] In addition to her direct clinical work, Dr. Schmidt also enjoyed a long tenure as a consultant to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where she provided consultative psychological services to administrators, caseworkers, and other professionals involved with the Department. In her private consulting work, Dr. Schmidt continues to train agencies and communities across the country regarding the treatment and assessment of youth who have histories of pre- and post-natal adversity. Each summer, Dr. Schmidt and her family appreciate the additional opportunity to help run a two-week overnight camp for children who have special needs, Camp SOAR.
In all professional endeavors, Dr. Schmidt is committed to helping individuals and systems understand and address the impact of the work on one’s personal and professional well-being. After many years of working alongside colleagues who were suffering both personally and professionally by virtue of holding onto the pain of others, Dr. Schmidt founded H3 Wellness: Holding Hope for Helping Professionals. With an overarching mission to assist helper organizations take better care of their clients by taking care of their workforce, it is the hope of H3 to promote vitality, engagement, and excellence in the work of caring for others. Dr. Schmidt is honored to have worked with a variety of helping organizations in service of this mission, including schools, mentor organizations, social service agencies, child welfare systems, and a child welfare legal organization.

Back-to-School Anxiety
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
Wednesday, August 6
Noon – 1 p.m. on Zoom
Learn to identify signs that your child might be feeling anxious about going back to school. We’ll also discuss what parents and caregivers can do before, during, and after school to help ease their child’s back-to-school anxiety.
Presenter: Renee Labat, Youth Program Coordinator with NAMI Minnesota

Family Triple A: Achieving Appreciative Atmospheres
2025-08-07 10:30 - 12:30 | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RYYKADLHRGC5z9h4BkQhjQ
Embracing a multifaceted, appreciative approach is vital when developing belonging and empowerment in foster care and adoption. Accordingly, this webinar will provide both what the appreciative family looks like and how we can maximize a partnership between family, children, and community. Via a combination of personal and professional experiences in foster care and adoption, Dr. Ronald Ferguson will provide the lessons learned and promising practices towards achieving an appreciative atmosphere in foster care and adoption.

Ron Ferguson, Ph.D. Hailing from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, my life has been an adventurous, cross-cultural journey. I have now made Minnesota my home. I seek to leverage both my lived experience and training as a sociologist to create positive systemic change. I hope that I continually “pay it forward” and be an agent of healing and hope!

Support Group: Central MN Lunch Bunch
2025-08-08 11:00 - 12:30 | Central Minnesota, Details and pre-register here using the link.
Join us for a monthly meetup to connect with other foster, adoptive, and kinship parents to talk over lunch for emotional and parent resource support. We will meet monthly at various locations.
Pre-registration is required. Click on the Lunch Bunch Link to view details and pre-register.
Facilitate by Katie Neuman
Parent Support Specialist

Pride Family Support Group
2025-08-11 18:00 - 19:30 | – Online Webinar/Training, Support Group, or Meeting, MN, United States
The group was created to provide foster and adoptive caregivers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to connect about their experiences as foster and adoptive parents.
This group is facilitated by CH/LSS staff. Participants may have worked with, or currently be working with, any agency/county for foster care or any type of adoption (foster care, infant, international). We ask that participants who are currently in the foster care/adoption process be home study approved. This service is provided by funding made possible by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Meeting Details
This group will meet on the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (CT). Meetings will alternate monthly between online and in-person sessions. There is no cost to attend. Childcare will be offered for in-person groups. You may register to attend one, multiple, or all dates offered below.
In-person meetings will take place at our main office location: 1605 Eustis Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108.
For virtual meetings, you will receive a Zoom link via email the day of the meeting.

An Introduction to Therapeutic Life Story Work – Part 1
2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00
In this 2-part training, attendees will learn countless tools for engaging children, youth and families in order to facilitate aspects of the creative life story work narrative process, including a specific introduction to the Rose model. Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of attachment, the impact of emotions and feelings work, and tangible engagement strategies for helping trauma and care-experienced children and youth better understand their pasts and move towards recovery.

Professor and adoptee Richard Rose, AAP, MBA, BPhil, PGSWE, PQCCA, CQSW founded and oversees the Therapeutic Life Story Work International (TLSWi) program, www.tlswi.com. Richard undertakes consultancy and training on Life Story Therapy, works with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, and develops academic training programs in the UK and internationally. Richard is a regular visitor to Australia where he is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University, Honorary Associate of Institute of Open Adoption Studies, University of Sydney and Honorary Associate of Berry Street Melbourne. He trains often worldwide, including in the State of Oregon where he has helped to shift practice statewide in the child welfare field. Richard has authored multiple books and works with children and youth and their carers in out of home care and family settings with the aim of enabling placements to become healthy and nurturing for all involved.

Support Group: Transracial Families Support
2025-08-13 05:30 - 19:00 | Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, 55121
Join us for our in-person support for caregivers & youth in transracial families. Youth will engage in a separate activity while caregivers meet. Refreshments provided.
Childcare provided for youth 8 and under.
Pre-registration is required. Click on the Support Group Link to register.
Facilitated by Nitara Frost, Senior Parent Support Specialist and Carissa Franklin, Youth Engagement Specialist
