Support Group Locator

Below is a list of all foster, adoptive and kinship parent support groups listed by HHS Service Area. Please be advised that many of the support groups listed below do not meet in the summer months.

If you are a Support Group Leader and would like to update your information posted below, complete this form.

Find additional information about these support groups, at these links:
SUPPORT GROUP TRAININGS
PEER LIAISONS (VIEW PEER LIAISON'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS)

To view a list of support groups for foster and adoptive youth, visit the AMP website

 

Support Group Meeting Details

Western Service Area Support Groups
West Central Iowa Support Group for Foster/Adoptive Parents
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from
Carroll, Greene, Crawford, Audubon, Guthrie, Sac and Calhoun counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Family Resource Center
502 W 7th St, Carroll
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 1st Tuesday from 7:00-9:00pm
Group meets every month, except July & December
Upcoming dates: Sept. 6, 2016; Oct. 4, 2016
CONTACT PERSONS: Catherine Vanderheiden
(712-792-2025 or 712-210-6011)
Denise Weitl (712-669-3566)

 

Pottawattamie County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
McPherson Church of Christ
1525 McPherson Ave, Council Bluffs
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Upcoming dates: Aug. 30, 2016; Oct. 13, 2016; Jan. 26, 2017
CONTACT PERSONS: Sandra Dollen - LSI
Jill Stone (712-326-4849 or as85js62@yahoo.com)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sdollen.ifapa?fref=ts

 

Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county
though the targeted counties are Crawford, Ida, Sac, Shelby and Carroll.
MEETING LOCATION:
Pizza Ranch
510 IA-39, Denison
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly - 4th Monday from 6:30-8:30pm
Upcoming dates: Sept. 19, 2016; Nov. 14, 2016
CONTACT PERSONS: Dawn Luetje - LSI / Iowa KidsNet
(712-263-9341 or dawn.luetje@lsiowa.org)

 

Page County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Essex Community Building
410 Iowa Ave , Essex
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Upcoming dates: Oct. 20, 2016
CONTACT PERSONS: Mike & Janet Dukes (712-370-7493 or mjdukes@mchsi.com)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sdollen.ifapa?fref=ts

 

Cass County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Central Church of Christ
51 Harrison Street, Griswold
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Childcare is offered
Upcoming dates: Sept. 15, 2016; Nov. 17, 2016; Jan. 19, 2017; Mar. 16, 2017
CONTACT PERSONS: Denise & Thad Bridges
(712-767-2680 or petalsnpagesdb@gmail.com)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sdollen.ifapa?fref=ts

 

Oakdale Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Oakdale Evangelical Free Church
1207 450th Street , Meriden
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from 7pm-8pm
Group meets all 12 months
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSONS: Danette Morgan (712-229-3982 or morganfamily@netins.net)

 

Northwest Iowa Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Dream Center
605 Grand Ave, Spencer
MEETING DAY & TIME: Contact Becky for upcoming dates
Meets 6:30-8:30pm
No childcare
CONTACT PERSONS: Becky Groeneweg - LSI / Iowa KidsNet
(712-320-2052 or becky.groeneweg@lsiowa.org)

 

Storm Lake Foster/Adoptive Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1614 West 5th Street, Storm Lake
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets two times in the fall and two times in the spring
Meeting time 6:30pm-8:30pm
Contact Sue for upcoming dates
CONTACT PERSON: Sue Thayer - LSI / Iowa KidsNet
(712-299-4759 or susan.thayer@lsiowa.org)

 

Monona County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Whiting Christian Church
716 West Street , Whiting
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Upcoming dates: Sept. 8, 2016; Nov. 10, 2016
CONTACT PERSONS: NiKay Schaffer (712-840-9806 or piper@longlines.com)
Brenda McFarland (712-444-5283 or bjlagee@yahoo.com)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sdollen.ifapa?fref=ts

 

Northern Service Area Support Groups
Adoptive Family Potluck
This group is open to HHS adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from
Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell & Floyd counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Fertile Church of Christ - 3493 Eagle Ave, Fertile
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - Last Monday of the Month from 6pm-8pm
Group meets January through October
No childcare, but children are welcome
CONTACT PERSONS: Corinne Sills - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(641-201-0180 or corinne.sills@lsiowa.org)

 

Independence Area Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
First United Methodist Church
313 2nd St SE, Independence
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 2nd Thursday from 6:30pm-9pm
(Food at 6:30pm - Training from 7pm-9pm)
Group meets September through April, except not in December
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSONS: Sandy Johnson
(319-934-3647 or ksjhome@netins.net)
FACEBOOK PAGE: Have a private Facebook group - ask to join

 

Mom's Coffee Support Group
This group is open to HHS adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from
Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Floyd & Franklin counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Wesley Methodist Church
1405 South Pennsylvania, Mason City
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 1st Tuesday from 9:30am-10:30am
Group meets September through May
No childcare, but children are welcome
CONTACT PERSONS: Corinne Sills - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(641-201-0180 or corinne.sills@lsiowa.org)

 

 

Allison Area Foster Parent Group
This group is open to foster parents and HHS adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from any county,
though the targeted areas are Bremer, Butler, Franklin and Grundy counties.
MEETING LOCATIONS:
Vineyard Community Church, 319 West Bremer Ave, Waverly
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly on the 2nd Monday
Meal @ 6:00pm; Meeting 6:30pm-7:30pm
Groups meets Sept. through May
Childcare is offered for 0-5. Structured activity for ages 6+
CONTACT PERSONS: Tammy Faux
(319-610-9115 or tammy.faux@wartburg.edu)
Kate Haberman-Foelske
(khaberman@monarchtherapyservices.com)
WEBSITE: www.aapfsg.org

 

Coffee with Corinne Support Group
This group is open to HHS adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from
Hamilton, Hardin, Webster & Wright counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
McDonalds - 400 Fairmeadow Drive, Webster City
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 3rd Thursday from 10:30am-11:30am
Group meets January through October
No childcare
CONTACT PERSONS: Corinne Sills - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(641-201-0180 or corinne.sills@lsiowa.org)

 

 

Eastern Service Area Support Groups
Circle of Support
This group is open to foster parents.
This support group is open to foster parents from Clinton county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Zion Lutheran Church
439 3rd Ave South, Clinton
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 3rd Tuesday from 6pm-7:30pm
Meets all months except June, July & Aug.
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSON: Amber Marlowe - Families First Counseling Services
(563-212-5266 or amarlowe@families-first.net)
Jessica Schade - Families First Counseling Services
(563-320-3551 or jschade@families-first.net)

 

 

Dubuque County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from Dubuque county and those willing to travel.
MEETING LOCATION:
Four Oaks - 180 W. 15th St, Dubuque
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 1st Tuesday from 6:30-9:00pm
Group meets Sept - May
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSONS: Racquel McClellan - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(563-582-0044 ext. 131 or racquel.mcclellan@lsiowa.org)
Tina Royer - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(563-243-8200 or tina.royer@lsiowa.org)

 

Jackson County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from Jackson county and those willing to travel.
MEETING LOCATION:
Faith Community Church
511 West Summit Street, Maquoketa
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets quarterly - 3rd Thursday from 6-8pm
Meets in January, April, July & October
CONTACT PERSON: Racquel McClellan - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(563-582-0044 ext. 131 or racquel.mcclellan@lsiowa.org)
Tina Royer - Lutheran Services in Iowa / Iowa KidsNet
(563-243-8200 or tina.royer@lsiowa.org)

 

 

Cedar Rapids Service Area Support Groups
Latte's with Lana Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
Pizza Ranch - 2450 Westdale Drive SW, Cedar Rapids
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 2nd Thursday from 11:30am until you need to leave. Groups meets all twelve months
CONTACT PERSONS: Lana Kelsey - Four Oaks / Iowa KidsNet
(319-431-4250 or lkelsey@fouroaks.org)

 

Total Thursday Support Group for Foster Parents
This group is open to kinship parents and foster parents.
This support group is open to parents from any county, but our targeted area is
Linn, Benton, Jones, Johnson and Iowa counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Four Oaks Bridge
2100 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 3rd Thursday
Training is from 6:30-8:30pm
CONTACT PERSON: Kris Millsap - Four Oaks / Iowa KidsNet
(319-360-5827 or kmillsap@fouroaks.org)

 

Total Thursday Adoption Support Group
This group is open to adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from
Linn, Benton, Jones, Johnson, Iowa and Tama counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Four Oaks Bridge
2100 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 3rd Thursday from 6:30pm-8:30pm
childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSON: Lana Kelsey - Four Oaks / Iowa KidsNet
(319-431-4250 or lkelsey@fouroaks.org)
Stacey O'Brien - Four Oaks / Iowa Kids Net
(319-981-5413 or sobrien@fouroaks.org)

 

JAMS Support Group
This group is open to foster parents and HHS adoptive parents.
This support group is open to parents from
Jasper, Poweshiek, Tama, Iowa & Benton counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Ahrens Family Foundation Offices
1510 Penrose St - Grinnell
MEETING DAY & TIME: Groups meets in Oct., Nov., March, Apr., & May from 6pm-8pm
CONTACT PERSON: Teri Hoffstetter
(641-990-3685 or thoffstetter@iowatelecom.net)
Pam Rodgers
(641-791-9032 or steverodgers@iowatelecom.net)

 

 

Jones County Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to foster parents from any county.
MEETING LOCATION:
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
226 N. Cedar St., Monticello
MEETING DAY & TIME: Contact Kristy at the information below for the next meeting date
Please RSVP to leaders if childcare is needed
Please bring a snack to share
CONTACT PERSON: Kristy Behounek  319-784-2140 or kbehounek@fouroaks.org

 

 

Des Moines Service Area Support Groups
Renew Support Group
This group is open to foster and adoptive parents.
This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa.
MEETING LOCATION:
Cornerstone Church of Ames
56829 US Hwy 30, Ames
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 3rd Thursday from 6:15pm to 7:45pm
Group meets Sept. through Apr., except not in Dec. or Mar.
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSON: Jason Lee (515-460-5048 or leejasond@gmail.com)
Mike Easton (redletters2@gmail.com)
FACEBOOK: http://cornerstonelife.com/dofostercare/trainings/

 

Post Adoption Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any adoptive parents.
This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa.
MEETING LOCATION:
Ankeny First United Methodist Church - Christian Life Center
710 NE 36th Street, Ankeny
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 1st Monday from 6:30pm to 8pm
Group meets January through December
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSON: Michelle Johnson - Four Oaks
(515)-710-3047 or mijohnson@fouroaks.org)

 

Union County Area Adoption/Foster Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any type of adoptive parent.
This support group is open to parents from
Union, Adair, Adams, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur and Clarke counties.
MEETING LOCATION:
Crest Baptist Church
1211 Poplar Street, Creston
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 1st Tuesday from 6:30-8:30pm
Group meets all twelve months
Childcare is offered
CONTACT PERSON: Angela Albers - Iowa KidsNet / Four Oaks
(515-681-5624 or aalbers@fouroaks.org)
FACEBOOK PAGE: Union County Area Adoption & Foster Support Group

 

Foster and Adoption Support Group
This group is open to kinship parents, foster parents and any adoptive parents.
This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa.
MEETING LOCATION:
Lutheran Church of Hope
925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines
MEETING DAY & TIME: Meets monthly - 2nd Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm
Group meets January through December
Childcare is offered - Please RSVP
CONTACT PERSON: Michelle Johnson - Four Oaks
(515-710-3047 or mijohnson@fouroaks.org)

 

 

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