Family Ties & Youth Group | Adoption Network Cleveland

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Family Ties Program

FAMILY TIES FAMILY & YOUTH PROGRAM

Our Family Ties Program takes a holistic approach to serving adoptive, kinship, and foster families through strategies that meet the needs of the family and focus on their strengths. Through participating, parents discover the tools, knowledge, and support system they need to successfully parent their child(ren) and children feel safe, supported, and capable of developing healthy habits. The program includes one-on-one support, monthly groups, educational opportunities, peer network building, normalizing family social activities, information and referral, and personal advocacy.

See our Program Calendar for upcoming events!

Support Groups

Family Ties Monthly Gathering

Join us each month for our Family Ties Gathering, offering adoptive, kinship, and foster families an opportunity for fellowship, support, education, and fun! Held on the second Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 pm, the gathering begins with a shared meal followed by caregiver peer support, a peer support group for teens, and structured activities for younger children, including yoga and mindfulness. This event is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and engage in a supportive, enriching environment. Register here.

Transracial Adoptive Parent Support Group

Adoption Network Cleveland and Transracial Journeys co-host monthly virtual support groups for parents who have adopted children outside of their own race. These groups provide a structured, supportive space for parents to connect with leaders who have lived expertise and share experiences, challenges, and successes in raising transracially adopted persons. The sessions, held from noon-1 pm EST, are designed to foster meaningful discussions and help parents gain practical tools for navigating transracial adoption. These monthly support groups help parents navigate the complexities of transracial adoption while promoting understanding and acceptance within their families and communities. Register here.

NAMI Family Support Group

In partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), this Family Support Group is peer-led and designed for families and loved ones of children (18 and under) experiencing behavioral or mental health challenges. The group provides a space for your voice to be heard and personal needs to be addressed, fostering empathy, productive discussions, and a sense of community. Meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30-8 PM over Zoom, this group offers the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and discover your inner strength in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Register here.

One-on-One Support

Support is provided through both Adoption Network Cleveland staff and peer mentoring. Telephone, email, and in-person meetings with staff provide a compassionate ear, referral to community resources, problem-solving, personal advocacy strategies, and reinforcement of positive parenting techniques. Individual parents can also be matched at their request with another parent who understands their journey and can provide support and encouragement. Parents who use social media are also encouraged to connect with other Family Ties parents through our private Family Ties Facebook Group.

Educational Opportunities

Adoption Network Cleveland provides access to conferences, presentations, and workshops by local, state, and national experts on a regular basis. Examples include parent trainings and our Monday Evening Speaker Series. For up-to-date information on available opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and check our program calendar regularly.

Family Social Activities

Creating normalcy and connectedness through typical family activities such as going ice skating, going to the zoo, attending a sporting event, or meeting friends for a group picnic is an important piece of building a social network. Recent research has shown that having a strong social network (friends that understand your situation and support you) improves physical and mental health, resiliency, education, and overall life contentment outcomes for both individuals and families.

See our program calendar for upcoming Family Social Events.

Family Social Photos