Alaska Center for Resource Families: How to Grow a Support Group

Why are Foster and Adoptive Parent Support Groups Important?

1) Communication and Information
Foster and Adoptive Parent Support Groups provide the opportunity to obtain valuable information and needed communication.  Group members gain knowledge about important resources in the community, have the opportunity to learn and hear new things, and get answers to questions.  Foster parents also benefit by knowing that they are not alone and that there are others who share the same heartaches and successes.  The group provides willing listeners as well as a safe place to cry and vent.   

2) Partnerships
Foster and Adoptive Parent Support Groups provide a confidential environment for foster parents to receive support from other foster parents.  Group members offer each other help, encouragement, and assistance in solving problems.  The group process allows resource families to form unique partnerships with others and meet new friends who speak the same language that they do.  These partnerships provide the foundation for the group.  Many times, these partnerships grow and result in the provision of assistance in day-to-day activities such as providing childcare, transportation, etc. 

3) Supportive Empowerment
Foster and Adoptive Parent Support Groups provide an environment that allows for the sharing of successes and obstacles.  Resource families will receive help getting over the rough spots, use experiences to help others, benefit from experiencing others' perspectives, and build positive attitudes.  This support will decrease the likelihood of foster parent "burn-out" and allow for personal and family growth. 

Where Should You Begin?

First and foremost, don't reinvent the wheel!!!  There may already be a support group for foster parents in your community!!  ACRF sponsors foster and adoptive parent support groups in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Staff can direct you to other types of support groups.

If an established group does not exist in your area, you can start a group on your own!  This may seem like an overwhelming task, but you do not have to start a group by yourself!!  There are others who share your interest.  Start by contacting other resource families that you know.  Contact your ACRF regional training coordinator who will assist you. ACRF can send e-mail and flyer announcements.

You can also post your flyers/letters at places that you feel are appropriate such as the library, community center, clinic, post office, churches, etc.  You can also mail copies to key people that you think would know and have contact with foster parents.   (OCS, school, social services agencies, etc.)  Your local newspaper may be willing to print a notice free of charge. Churches will also usually include community notices in their bulletins. ACRF staff can assist in helping you get started and can provide you with support along the way. If you want to start a support group for foster/adoptive parents, please let us know. We are here to help!

Getting Started

Once you have a core group of organizers, schedule an organizational meeting.  During this meeting you will want to establish the purpose or "mission" of the group by drafting a "mission statement."  The group may also want to first decide on the type of group you wish to organize.  There are three broad types of support groups.  Your group can choose one or a combination of the three.  Most foster parent support groups offer all three types of activities at one time or another.

Discussion Groups:
Discussion groups provide emotional support.  The purpose of the group is to provide a confidential environment for foster parents to receive give and receive support to other foster parents.

Educational Groups:
Educational groups invite guest speakers and/or utilize education materials to present identified topics to members.  The purpose of the group is to gain new information and knowledge that enhances and strengthens foster parenting skills.

Advocacy Groups:
Advocacy groups work to find solutions to identified problems or barriers.  The purpose of the group is to change something specific such as a law, regulation, rule, or attitude.

 

In addition to these broad type of groups, some support groups target specific populations of people or a specific issue.  Examples include groups for general support and information, groups for foster families caring for a particular type of child (i.e. medically fragile children, special needs children, etc.) groups for foster parents in a specific geographical area, groups for foster parents accepting multiethnic placements, groups for foster parents accepting legal risk placements, groups for fost-adopt parents, etc.   Most foster and adoptive parent support groups start out as general support and information groups using a combination of the three broad types.  Sometimes, smaller groups will branch off from the larger group if there is a particular issue or interest. 

Finding a Suitable Meeting Place and Time

Once you decide on the type of group and the "mission," finding a suitable meeting place and time is the next step.  Try to obtain free meeting space at a local church, library, community center, hospital, social services agency, bank, or tribal office.  If you anticipate a small group and the organizers feel comfortable with the idea, consider initial meetings in members' homes. ACRF offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau also have meeting space that we can share.

Try to set a convenient time for people to remember the meeting (i.e. the first Tuesday of the month).  Scheduling around everyone's appointments may be difficult if not impossible, therefore, keep in mind that you want to set up the meeting to accommodate the largest number of participants.  You may want to check with a community calendar as to not have any conflicts with other regularly scheduled meetings/events.

Promoting the Support Group

You will need about a month to prepare for the first meeting.  Once you have a suitable meeting place and time, you can begin to actively recruit foster parents to attend your first meeting.  ACRF will mail notices to families in your area for you. All announcements, flyers, and letters should include general information about the group, and the date, time, location, and contact person for the first meeting. ACRF will advertize your group in our quarternly newsletter, Trainng Tracks.

Facilitating Meetings

Who should facilitate the group?
The core group members should decide whom will be speaking and leading the first meeting.  This can be done in a variety of ways including asking for a volunteer or appointing a spokesperson.  The individual who formed the core group may want to be the spokesperson as he or she is familiar with the entire process of how and why the group was started.

At the first meeting, a group leader can be selected.  The leader should be able to emphasize the need for respect, trust, and confidentiality among group members; demonstrate group process and organizational skills; discuss group functioning; plan agendas; problem solve; assess training needs; and determine other needs of the group.

 If the group decides not to identify a group leader, but to instead rotate who will be leading the group, it is important to be specific in assigning tasks for the next meeting.  The group should also consider identifying one contact person for the group.  The contact person will need to be able to respond to calls regarding the group (such as calls from potential new members). 

How should the first meeting begin?
The meeting should begin with introductions of the core group members, housekeeping items (bathroom locations, breaks, refreshments, etc.), and establishing ground rules (confidentiality, respecting others, etc.).  All participants/attendees should also be given time to introduce themselves and why they are attending.

What items should be addressed at the first meeting?
The first "agenda item" should be an overview of the history and what the core group had done.  This is the time to introduce the draft "mission statement."  The mission should be your first discussion item as others should have the opportunity to share their view of how they would like to see the group function.  Identify as many common needs that the group can address.  Although you do not want to overload your new arrivals with information, you do not want to stress the seriousness of your intent and the necessity of their participation.

An important outcome from your first meeting is that everyone has an understanding of where the group is going and who, within your group, is willing to take on the leadership roles to make that happen.  At the end of the meeting, make plans for the next meeting and consider having an opportunity for people to talk and socialize informally after the meeting.

What other considerations should be addressed?
A successful support group can function in many ways as long as it meets the members' needs.  Your group may want to consider the following issues for future

Mission Statement:

• Establish a clear mission statement that identifies the purpose of the group.  Ask if the purpose is clear and meets the needs of the members. Determining basic guidelines for the group meetings is also important. Examples of guidelines include confidentiality, non-judgmental environment, informative, etc.

Membership:

• To determine membership, the group must decide who can attend meetings and who cannot.  Groups do not always have membership, however, some groups limit the members to only licensed foster parents whereas other groups may include licensed foster and adoptive parents and non-licensed kinship care providers.  Membership criteria can be also be amended at a later date if there is a group consensus.

Dues: