Events

Learn. Support. Connect.



With 40 years of experience in open adoption, OA&FS is uniquely qualified to provide learning, support, and connection opportunities for the people we work with and the broader adoption community. On this page, you’ll find information about classes, speaker panels, and other events hosted by OA&FS. We draw upon the experience and expertise of the members of our community who are living in open adoptions to help inform others.

Peer Support Cohorts

Peer support cohorts

In these virtual groups, adoptive parents who have a similar lived experience or interest in a specific topic will gather weekly for six weeks per cohort to get support from one another and an OA&FS counselor. Families may register for more than one cohort. Sample topics may include launching an adopted teen into adulthood, navigating open adoption relationships, building attachment in an adoptive family, and talking to your child about adoption. An OA&FS counselor will facilitate group discussions, share resources and information, and may invite expert guests to participate from time to time, depending on the topic. The primary goal of these groups is to offer space for adoptive families to build connection and community.

If you have a topic that you hope is covered in a peer support cohort, let us know by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Check back for new adoptive parent cohort group opportunities coming in Spring 2026.

Upcoming cohorts:

LGBTQ+ adoptive parents

Dates TBD later this year
Please email Jan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are interested in attending this cohort.

This cohort will be open to adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+, with children of any age. Participants will gather weekly for six weeks to build community, learn from one another, and receive support from each other and an OA&FS counselor. We will explore topics such as navigating the differences and unique challenges of parenting through adoption as an LGBTQ+ family, talking about adoption with your child, adoptee development, creating a culture of openness, belonging, and community resources.

Past cohorts:

Our six-week cohorts for parents of adoptees ages 11-14 and parents of adoptees ages 15-18+ are now meeting (as of fall 2025), and registration is closed. Stay tuned for information on when these cohorts will be held again.

Cohorts for parents of adoptees ages 0 to 5 years and for parents of adoptees ages 6 to 10 years were held in spring 2025. These cohorts will be held again beginning winter 2026.

Hear from past cohort participants

“ I highly recommend the peer support group. Connecting with other adoptive parents provided comfort, encouragement, and a sense of community. ” ~ Cristin, OA&FS adoptive parent

Learning opportunities

Learning opportunities

Gain insights, share ideas, and brush up on skills.


Infant care for prospective adoptive parents

Stay tuned for registration information for our upcoming infant care class with a focus on adoption, to be offered in Winter 2026.

 

Infant care education is an essential part of preparing to become a parent, but it is rarely taught through an adoption lens. This training has been customized for those hoping to welcome a newborn through adoption. In this 2.5-hour course, OA&FS Counselor and ICEA certified infant care educator, Katie Raser, LMHC, will provide training specifically designed for prospective adoptive parents. a photo with diapers, bottles and other baby care items
    In this training, we will discuss:
  • The first days and weeks in a baby’s life
  • What to expect at the hospital
  • How to prepare for the unknowns
  • Prenatal substance exposure
  • Feeding (including alternatives to bottle/formula feeding)
  • Diapering
  • Sleep
  • Infant development over the first 12 months
  • Safety
  • Attachment
  • Self-care
  • and more!
This class is appropriate for first-time prospective adoptive parents or adoptive parents who are looking for a refresher.

About your instructor

Katie Raser

Katie Raser is an OA&FS counselor and a licensed mental health counselor, and is certified as an educator through the International Childbirth Education Association. Katie completed the Childbirth and Infant Care education course through the Penny Simkin center at Bastyr University. She is also a Gottman Bringing Baby Home educator. She provides private infant care courses that draw from evidence-based research and her lived experience as a parent of two biological children. She volunteers with PEPS as a group leader for expectant parents. Throughout her career—as a social worker, therapist, and options counselor—she has always enjoyed working closely with new and expectant parents.


Hear from infant care class attendees

“ I just appreciated that Katie was frank, and also was really supportive of future parents about listening to their child, feeding their child, and not sleep training their infant! I wish someone had been so clear about things when I had my biological child--I would have been less stressed. ” ~ Elena, OA&FS prospective adoptive parent

Speaker panels

Speaker panel series

Learn from members of the OA&FS community who share their lived experience on a range of adoption topics.

Our panel events are on pause for the summer. Check back soon for our fall schedule!

Missed an event? You can purchase recordings of our past speaker panel events.
  • Supporting adoptees when birth parent contact is limited
  • Nurturing your open adoption relationships

Purchase recordings

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Option One: Expectant Parent Form Option Two: Prospective Adoptive Parent Form

Text support is for expectant parents only

Text support is availale Mon-Fri, 9-5 PT

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