Helping Children Heal from Sexual Abuse is a Free, virtual Parent Support Group for adoptive, foster, or kinship families raising children who have previously suffered sexual abuses.

WHEN: Scheduled to meet monthly on the third Tuesday at 7 PM

WHERE: Exclusively in the in the AFFCNY.Network

FREE Sleep-Away Camping for Children 7 – 11 years

14-Day Sessions

June 26 – July 9

July 14 – July 27

August 1 – August 14

APPLY ONLINE

Application found on camper / staff page

Open to Middlesex County residents only.

Please join Hudson Valley AGAPE team for an open parent support group via video chat. We will provide educational discussion-based concepts of self-care, advocacy support for your child through their sometimes-difficult behavior, and a safe space to connect with other parents who share similar experiences.

We encourage all foster, adoptive, and guardianship parents to build connections with others who “get it.” During our bi-weekly virtual Hudson Valley Connection Group, we will show a brief training; leaving plenty of time to discuss the topic and open the floor up to anyone looking for resources, advice, or a non-judgmental space to share what’s on their mind.

2026 Schedule: 1st and 3rd Thursday from 7:30-9:00 pm–

May 21; June 4, 18; July 2, 16; August 6, 20; September 3, 17; October 1, 15; November 5, 19; December 3, 17

A Free, Virtual, Parent Support Group for adoptive, foster, or kinship families.

All the single parents (all the single parents) Put your hands UP!

We have a support group just for YOU! The parent who is doing the most rewarding and challenging job in the world!

We know single parenting isn’t for the faint of heart and we face unique issues. We don’t have a partner to “tag out” with when our kid is overwhelming us with their needs or to share the sense of pride when our kid learns to walk, scores a goal or graduates from high school. Our hope is to have a safe place where you can connect with other single parents to share your triumphs and joy, your strategies for staying sane amidst the chaos and also find new ways to recharge and take care of the most important person in your child’s life…YOU!

Scheduled to meet monthly on the second Friday from 7 to 8:30 PM

June 12, 2026; July 10, 2026; August 14, 2026; September 11, 2026; October 9, 2026; November 13, 2026; December 11, 2026

Join us for an informative session learning about adoption & foster care options in Pennsylvania.

The information session can help you decide whether you are comfortable taking the next steps to become a licensed Diakon foster family. Sessions are offered without obligation; participants are not required to proceed following the presentation.

Pre-registration is required so that the ZOOM link can be shared.

This evidence-based, trauma-informed training helps child welfare staff recognize the signs and symptoms of prenatal substance exposure and trains them on techniques that work best with kids exposed prenatally to alcohol and drugs. Each 2-hour interactive session is held on Zoom. We are able to offer this free training through the support of the Jockey Being Family®Foundation.

Training Dates:
All Sessions begin at 1 pm Eastern Time Zone. 

Price: $60.00

Please note: This workshop is for caregivers raising adopted, foster, or kinship children who have been exposed prenatally to alcohol or drugs.

This evidence-based, trauma-informed workshop helps parents recognize the signs and symptoms of prenatal substance exposure and trains them on techniques that work best with kids exposed prenatally to alcohol and drugs. Each 90-minute session is held on Zoom and includes facilitated discussion with other caregivers working with these children. We are able to offer this free workshop through the support of the Jockey Being Family®Foundation.

Workshop Dates (4.5 CE hours for 3 sessions):
All Sessions begin at 7 pm Eastern Time Zone. Seating is limited.

Do you live in New York or New Jersey and are considering adopting an infant? Learn about Spence-Chapin’s Domestic Adoption Program for New York and New Jersey families! This free webinar is the first step for families interested in applying to Spence-Chapin as all webinar attendees will receive a Domestic Adoption Program application. Our team will share details the application process, open adoption, demographics of the children in need of adoption, the matching process, options counseling for birth parents, and more!

Bring your questions! The meeting will include ample opportunity to have your questions answered.

Spence-Chapin’s Domestic Adoption Program is open to residents of New York, New Jersey, and Arizona. Please register for a webinar event that corresponds with the state where you live by visiting our Events Calendar.

* Please note that registration for this event is capped. If you are unable to register for this webinar, please sign up for our Newsletter to be notified about future events, or contact us at info@spence-chapin.org to discuss additional pathways to grow your family through domestic infant adoption.

In this free support call first/birth parents will be able to connect, listen and share their experiences of adoption, both private and through the child welfare system. Space will also be provided for participants to explore and share experiences around open adoptions, closed adoptions, recent reunions, same-race adoption, transracial adoption, termination of parental rights, and other topics as decided by the group.
Please remember that this group is for birth/first parents who are related by birth to a child placed in adoption or foster care.

With the passage of H.R. 1 last July, Congress made major changes to Medicaid eligibility. States are now implementing work requirements and other changes that primarily impact people enrolled in the ACA Medicaid Expansion, including older adults under age 65. On June 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that directs how states must implement the Medicaid work requirements by January 1, 2027. The IFR includes complex verification processes and additional requirements not in the statute that will make it more difficult for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to enroll in and keep their Medicaid coverage.

This webinar will include an overview of the updated federal rules and the major Medicaid eligibility changes introduced by H.R. 1, including new documentation and eligibility renewal requirements for many adults ages 19 – 64. Presenters will explain who is subject to the requirements, who qualifies for exemptions, and why applying these rules correctly is complex. The session will also review emerging state actions and highlight issues that could lead to unnecessary coverage loss.

This webinar will be most important for all Medicaid advocates, especially local and state advocates, to view. Advocates will gain practical strategies and tools to help ensure states adopt all available protections and implement the law in ways that minimize harm to older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities.

Price: $60.00

This webinar will focus on decision making capacity and tensions between personal values, the NASW Code of Ethics, and ethical principles, when working with cognitively compromised older adults. Participants will have the opportunity to apply learned skills in weighing the risks and benefits of actual case scenarios. [Elective for Gerontology Certificate Program].

*This webinar does not qualify for NBCC clock hours in ethics for Licensed Professional Counselors.

$40 (Live webinar + recording)

Navigating the Medicare appeals process—whether for Original Medicare, Part D, or Medicare Advantage—can be daunting. Learn when you or your clients are eligible to appeal a denial of service, the various deadlines, and tips for filing.    

Experts from the Medicare Rights Center will discuss the following topics:  

• How to read and respond to appeal notices  
• Filing an appeal with a health or drug plan  
• Good cause extensions 

Open to ALL Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Parents Throughout the State!

Dates:

July 23, 2026; August 27, 2026; September 24, 2026; October 22, 2026; November 26, 2026, rescheduled for 3rd Thursday November 19^th; December 24, 2026, rescheduled for 3rd Thursday December 17th

Price: $60.00

Dads & Father Figures Grab Your Daughers & Join the Fun!

Join Us for a Night Full of Smiles, Dancing & Fun!

Price: $60.00

This webinar will focus on the major ethical issues and legal concerns practitioners confront in working with people with developmental disabilities and their families. Participants will be asked to discuss strategies for resolving the seemingly irresolvable dilemmas that are part of issues related to competency and decision making; the role of families and guardians; the right to services and treatment; and the equities and inequities of the service delivery system. [Required for Developmental Disabilities Certificate Program]

*This webinar does not qualify for NBCC clock hours in ethics for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Join us for an informative session learning about adoption & foster care options in Pennsylvania.

The information session can help you decide whether you are comfortable taking the next steps to become a licensed Diakon foster family. Sessions are offered without obligation; participants are not required to proceed following the presentation.

Pre-registration is required so that the ZOOM link can be shared.

Photolistings in practice: Strengthening professional practice through effective use of AdoptUSKids

The photolisting on AdoptUSKids is a widely used recruitment tool designed to connect children and youth in foster care with prospective adoptive families. Successful outcomes depend not only on the photolisting platform, but also how thoughtfully child welfare professionals prepare youth, develop listings, and guide the process over time.

Join us as we explore best practices for managing the ethical, emotional, and logistical aspects of the photolisting process to support positive outcomes for youth and families.

Who should join? 

The webinar is designed for child welfare professionals across state, county, tribal, and territorial agencies who support children, youth, and families. Supervisors, administrators, managers, private agencies, and nonprofit partners will also find this session valuable, especially those interested in strengthening diligent recruitment strategies.