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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Carroll, Greene, Crawford, Audubon, Guthrie, Sac and Calhoun counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county though the targeted counties are Crawford, Ida, Sac, Shelby and Carroll. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell & Floyd counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Floyd & Franklin counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county, though the targeted areas are Bremer, Butler, Franklin and Grundy counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Hamilton, Hardin, Webster & Wright counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to foster parents from Clinton county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Dubuque county and those willing to travel. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Jackson county and those willing to travel. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from any county, but our targeted area is Linn, Benton, Jones, Johnson and Iowa counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Linn, Benton, Jones, Johnson, Iowa and Tama counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Jasper, Poweshiek, Tama, Iowa & Benton counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to foster parents from any county. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to parents from Union, Adair, Adams, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur and Clarke counties. |
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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. |
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This support group is open to any parents in Central Iowa. |
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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) |
