[AHomeWith2Moms]

My partner and I will be participating in the Fos-Adoption process beginning in November with the County of Alameda. We do not presently have any children of our own and want to ensure that we start off in ahealthy manner by continuing to take care of our own needs while learning to take care of the needs of our child's. We believe that we can offer a lot of love to our child as long as we continue to love ourselves and keep ourselves healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Are there any established open support groups that would be willing to include same-sex, black, female, new foster parents in Oakland or Alameda County?

Any & all advice, direction and/or support that we can get will ensure that we become the best parents possible for our child. We reside in Oakland and will be willing to work with support groups throughout the Bay Area. We have begun the necessary research on the step=by=step process of fostering and adopting children and find it impossible not to read everything we can find on the subject. can anyone recommend good and useful reading material on the subject at-hand: raising and fostering children as your own?

Have a great day everyone and know that we anxiously await and accept all replies. Please feel free to respond on this question and any other relevant issues that may come up.

Thanks,
Crystal & Keelee

[jbdrichey]

I don't know of any but I am going to guess that you will meet and keep in contact with alot of the couples that go through the classes with you.

[tancee]

Try this website
www.nacac.org

It has a search section for support.

[roxanna425]

The facilitiator in your class willknow of the groups in the area. I am in Seattle and my facilitators gave me the info on the group in my area.

[roxanna425]

http://www.familieslikeours.org

[AHomeWith2Moms]

We would like to thank everyone who has offered support and given advice and direction so far. We will definately check out all of the leads and utilize our training resources as well.

Crystal & Keelee

[sfbaymom2000]

Crystal and Keelee,

Hi neighbors...my husband and I are in Contra Costa County. I don't know of any actual support groups yet, but I wouldn't neccesarily limit yourselves to those for gay couples. I think most of the parenting issues you will face are the same as those faced by hetro couples. Maybe I am wrong, but I think in the Bay Area you will find that people will be supportive.

As for books, here are some of my favorite:
A Child's Journey Through Placement
Attaching in Adoption
Toddler Adoption, The Weaver's Craft

Some parts of these will scare you, but it is better to "prepare for the worst, and hope for the best".

You will also learn alot on this board, and will read a lot of success stories. Good luck to you!

Lynn