The Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Family Ministries will offer a support group meeting for parents of foster and adopted children.
The next meeting will be held on Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 3926 Poplar Level Road.
According to an announcement from Ed Harpring, pro-life coordinator for the Office of Family Ministries, “One of the common threads for children in foster care and for internationally adopted children is the experience of significant trauma and the resulting emotional problems that can result.”
The meetings will be designed around a model that was started by Orphan Care Alliance in which foster and adoptive parents journey together by meeting monthly for support and encouragement. A trained professional leads each meeting and guides the discussion to create a safe community for sharing stories and offering encouragement.
“The meetings will empower families to respond to their child’s behavior in a manner that acknowledges past trauma but promotes the learning of new, more adaptive reactions to stress,” according to the announcement.
The 90-minute meetings will consist of prayer and parenting tips from a Catholic perspective, a presentation by an adoption/trauma care specialist, and time for questions and discussion. Free babysitting will be offered onsite.
For more details, contact Ed Harpring at 471-2154 or eharpring@gmail.com.
