Our Blog

Adoption Circle - February 2024 Newsletter

Happy March! As spring starts to bloom let's take a look back at February. Celebrations were in bloom all around Adoption Circle from Black History Month to Valentine's Day. 

Read more about finalizations, Adoption Resources and more in our latest newsletter!

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Adoption Circle - January 2024 Newsletter

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Adoption Circle - December Newsletter 2023

Happy New Year! Read all about the final month of 2023 around adoption circle and learn about resources to help you in 2024. 

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Adoption Circle - November '23 Newsletter

Happy December! Take a look back at November around Adoption Circle. We had many celebrations from finalizations, Thanksgiving, and National Adoption Month! 

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October 2023 Newsletter

November is here and the holiday season is in full swing! It’s time to take a look back at October’s events. Take a look at fall around adoption circle, pumpkin patches, trick or treat, and learn about Adoption Awareness Month! 

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September 2023 Newsletter

Happy Fall! The beginning of fall was filled with many fun activities and celebrations around Adoption Circle. Read our newest newsletter about Grandparent & Kinship Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, our annual Adoption Circle Picnic and Book Club!

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Adoption Circle - August Newsletter 2023

Summer is coming to an end! Read all about end of summer adventures, back to school, Adoption Circle birthdays, our upcoming picnic, and a note from one of our adult adoptees!

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Adoption Circle - July Newsletter 2023

Read all about summer around adoption circle! From July 4th, our adoptive parents dance club, Christmas in July donations and the new Ohio Adoption Grant! 

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June Newsletter - Adoption Circle

Happy July! We are halfway through the year and started off summer strong. Read more about Pride Month, Juneteenth, Finalizations & the Adoption Circle Picnic is back!! 

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May Newsletter

Happy June! Read below to learn all about our May and the start of summer around Adoption Circle! 

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April Newsletter

Happy May! Read all about our busy April around adoption circle, including finalizations, easter celebrations & a new Ohio Adoption Grant.

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Adoption Circle - March Newsletter

Happy Spring! Read below about all of our celebrations in March including, Women's History Month, Social Worker Month, World Down Syndrome Day & National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

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Adoption Circle - February Newsletter

Follow along below to read about February around Adoption Circle, Valentine's Day, Black History Month, and our book club! 

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Adoption Circle - January Newsletter

Follow along below to read about January around Adoption Circle, placements, a new house bill, and our book club! 

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Adoption Circle - December Newsletter

Happy New Year! Take a look into the last month of 2022 with us and read all about finalizations, Holiday gifting, and see our families Holiday Cards. Adoption Circle can't wait to see what 2023 has in store for our agency. 

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November Newsletter - Adoption Circle

November was a busy month around Adoption Circle! Read our newsletter to read about National Adoption Month, Giving Tuesday, and preparing for the Holiday Season! 

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Adoption Circle - October Newsletter

Follow along with us as we recap October around Adoption Circle, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Halloween, Adoption resources and read about all the fun to come in November - National Adoption Month!

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Adoption Circle - September Newsletter

As we say good-bye to September, we have definitely welcomed cooler temperatures.  Excited to see all the Fall colors as the leaves start to turn.  Take a look below to read all about our September around Adoption Circle, read about National Infant Mortality resources, and a Staff Spotlight!



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Adoption Circle - August Newsletter

Adoption Circle is happy to share our August newsletter with you! We will talk about back to school, The Buckeyes, and August around Adoption Circle!

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Adoption Circle - July Newsletter

We hope your summer is going well!  Click the link to learn more about how Adoption Circle celebrated Disability Awareness Month.  In this edition of our newsletter you'll also get the chance to learn about a very special member of the Adoption Circle Family.

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Adoption Circle - June Newsletter

June was filled with celebrations and excitement.  Summer has definitely hit Ohio.   The heat and “rolling scheduled blackouts”  will definitely remind all it is now officially summer in Ohio 😊. With so many things to celebrate in June, click to learn more about Adoption Circle's busy month! 

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Adoption Circle - May Newsletter

May brought the recognition of Mother’s Day and Birthmother’s Day.  We are always honored to recognize mothers and birthmothers.  Especially birthmothers who selflessly chose what they believed was the best for their children.  Follow the link to learn more about how Adoption Circle celebrated both holidays and more!

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Adoption Circle - April Newsletter

Happy that April definitely brought us some warmer weather, and hope the snowflakes are behind us.  But May in Ohio, you never know! ðŸ˜Š   Rain or shine we are looking forward to the month of May to celebrate both Birthmother and Mother’s Day!   Follow the link below to read all of the exciting updates in our April Newsletter!

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Adoption Circle - March Newsletter

As March ends, we are definitely looking forward to those April showers to bring May flowers and warmer temperatures! March was a month that brought two national recognitions near and dear to Adoption Circle. We were happy to recognize and celebrate both National Women’s Month and National Social Worker Month.  Follow the link to learn more about both celebrations and what Adoption Circle has been up to!

 

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Adoption Circle - February Newsletter

Feburary is the shortest month of the year, but Adoption Circle has stayed busy.  We've celbrated Black History Month with a Master Class on Amazon Prime, and we've also celebrated TWOSDAY by celebrating the twin placements our agency completed.  Lastly, Adoption Circle had the opportunity to speak at the 4th annual Family Planning Week at The Ohio State University.  This event was organized by the Student Advocates for Sexual Health Awareness (SASHA) and featured our very own Pamela Hook, Executive Director.  Follow the link to read more!

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Adoption Circle - January Newsletter

We hope your New Year is off to a great start and you had a great holiday season.  We'd love to share a little about Adoption Circle, our families, and how we've been partnering with our local community.  Follow the link to learn more in our January newsletter!

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Help.Org helpful resources.

Help.Org is an organization whose mission is to provide support for people dealing with substance abuse and addiction.  If you are interested in supporting Help.Org, or if you know someone who might be in need of their services, please follow the link to learn more.

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Ways to Prepare for School while Addressing COVID

Whether through distance learning or socially distanced classrooms (or a combination of both), kids will be going back to school in no time. But for parents, these are challenging times, especially with stressed-out kids and an abundance of technology. But there are ways to prepare your kids for back to school while addressing coronavirus worries.  Click the link below to learn more helpful tips from our guest writer, Jenna Sherman of Parent-Leaders.

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Adoption Circle Summertime

Adoption Circle and our families had so much fun this summer!  Click to enjoy some highlights from our Adoption Circle family.

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Adoption Circle - Adoption Triad Members

Adoption Circle celebrates working with all adoption triad members—-birthparents, adoptees and adoptive families.  The connection between birthparents, adoptees, and adoptive family members is strong.  Adoption Circle recently had the privilege of reuniting a birthfather and his daughter with the son he placed over 24 years ago.  Click to read more about his experience.

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Family // inclusivity, equality, unity

Adoption Circle builds families and believes in unity, inclusivity, and equality.

 

Click to learn more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPzKMepljyA

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During this time of great change..

During this period of great change, the Adoption Circle family wants to let you know that we are there for you.  Click to learn more..

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National Birthmother's Day

Today we celebrate all BirthMothers!  Click the link to learn more about one birthmother's story in her own words.

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The Power of Choice // Life Happens

Life happens. Not sure what to do next? Follow the link to check out our newest YouTube video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4okVFUWf9U

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Never Alone // Leyannah's Story

Not sure what to do next? Do not go through the Adoption Process alone. Listen as Leyannah describes how she stayed connected to her adoptive family, and even made new family members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3IaV6nGzdU

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The Power of Choice // Kyria's Birthmother Journey

Follow us as we continue to learn more from one of our fantastic birthmothers!  Click the link below to view our newest YouTube video!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGlby9bWWGU

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The Power of Choice // Melissa's Birthmother Journey

Check out our YouTube page!  Follow the link below to learn more about one birthmother's journey and why she chose Adoption Circle.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgAdJdXT1HM

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National Birth Mother's Day

Happy National Birth Mother's Day!  At Adoption Circle we love every member of our family, from adoptive families to birth mothers.  Follow the link to learn more about one birth mother's journey.

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2018 Federal Tax Credit

Did you adopt in 2018?  You qualify for a tax credit!  Click the link to learn more.

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A Fun Night at The Annual Fundraising Dinner

COMO—Compassion Outreach Ministries

The Adoption Circle team was honored to have the opportunity to spend a Saturday evening supporting a worthy organization with friends and good food, during the Annual Fundraising Dinner for COMO.  Click the link to find out more about the organization with a great cause!

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My Interests and Why I Chose Adoption

It's time to meet one of our agency's contract workers.  Brittany has been a terrific member of our team and you'll enjoy learning a little more about her path to adoption and interests.

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Adoption Has Always Been Part of My Life

It’s time to meet our agency counsel, Landis Olaker.  Adoption has always been her passion, so enjoy reading and learning a little bit more about her.

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New Adoption Series presented by Coalition of Adoptive Families

At Adoption Circle, continued adoption education and support are very important.  We love to continually support our families and help them understand what it means to be in an adoptive family.

Charting the Course is an education series presented by the Coalition of Adoptive Families, and it is designed to support and educate adoptive families.  Follow the link for more information!

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Introducing One of the Agency Founders

The next member of the Adoption Circle staff we would like to introduce is Susan Brewer.  She is one of the Founders of the agency and currently the Agency Administrator.  Susan has such a passion for children and adoption.  Please enjoy learning a little bit more about Susan.

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Our Agency Attorney Attends the Annual Adoption Attorneys Conference

Landis Olaker, visited the annual Academy of Adoption Attorneys Conference.  As always, this was a fun-filled conference packed with tons of activities.  Click the link to learn more!

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The Financial Career Path that Lead to Adoption Circle

The next member of the Adoption Circle team we would like to introduce is Chris Soto.  Chris shares how her career path ultimately lead to her working as the Financial Coordinator for Adoption Circle.  Prior to joining Adoption Circle, Chris was not aware she had a great deal in common with our adoptive families.   Please enjoy reading and learning more about Chris.

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Financial Assistance

We recognize there are different types of adoption and different costs associated with adoption.  Adoption Circle has provided some resources for Adoption Grants that may be helpful.

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A Powerful Testimony

Our Agency attorney, Landis Olaker, had the privilege of testifying professionally and personally in support of House Bill 420--Ohio Adoption Awareness Month.  Please read her moving speech and why Ohio Adoption Awareness Month is so important.  We are honored to have Landis represent Adoption Circle, and it was a privilege to be asked to provide testimony.

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Why I Was Destined to Work In the Adoption Field

We would like to introduce our wonderful Administrative Assistant.  Carrie is definitely the glue that holds our office together.  As with all of our staff, Carrie has such a passion for adoption and it has always been a part of her family.

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Post-Adoption and Foster Care Services

Families have trouble locating knowledgeable and experienced professionals to assist in Pre/Post-Adoption and Foster Care services.  Coalition of Adoptive Families is hosting an Adoption and Foster Care Services Mini-Fair.  Follow the link below for more information.

 

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My Journey

As we continue with our series in getting to know our Adoption Circle family, we’d like to introduce our Director of Birthparent Services, Kimberly Blajsczak (Blayney).  As with all of us at Adoption Circle, she has a passion for adoption and the work she does with birthparents.

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Why Adoption Is My Passion

At Adoption Circle, we are one big family! Our family atmosphere is best reflected in the relationships that we have cultivated and developed with our adoptive parents, birth parents, and children. Before we have the privilege of getting better acquainted with your family, we would love the opportunity to provide more insight into our tight-knit family! I am excited to announce that we are beginning a new blog series!  This series will give you a closer look into the Adoption Circle Family. For the first post in this new series, I would like to tell you why Adoption is my passion!

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Clearing Up Adoption Myths

Most of us are impacted by adoption in some way, whether we know it or not, making it important to understand adoption in a true light. In this article, we dispel some of the most common adoption myths.  

By clearing up adoption myths, we can change the perception of adoption, and promote empathy and understanding for all members of the adoption triad. Share this with others who might want to know more about the realities of adoption! 

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Adoption Support Group in Worthington, OH

LA Counseling in Worthington, Ohio, will be offering a free support group for teens (9th-12th graders) who have been adopted. Whether they have been adopted internationally, within the US, by a stepparent or extended family member, all are welcome. We will talk about the challenges as well as the blessings that come from being adopted.

  • Thursdays, 6-8pm starting October 19th
  • Meeting at 6797 High St #100, Worthington, OH 43085 3rd Floor Conference Room
  • Led by Grace Pratt, (also an adoptee)
  • Only 12 spots available, so sign up soon!
  • FREE!

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Birthparent Support in Ohio

You don't have to feel alone after making an adoption plan. Adoption Circle encourages birth mothers and fathers to share their adoption stories and become part of a community that can help by attending a birthparent support group. Birthparent support meetings and general adoption support meetings are held in the Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati areas. Read the article to learn about the benefits of attending a support group, and visit Adoption Network's website to learn more about adoption support groups in your area. 

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Listen Up, Parents: New Car Seat Guidelines!

In an ever-changing world, parenting decisions like choosing an appropriate car seat may sometimes seem overwhelming. We know that families want to protect their children, and safety support from a car seat can make all the difference. This article makes it a little easier by providing the most updated standards and a chart outlining the guidelines by age. Whether you have a baby or even a school-aged child, seat safety is important! 

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Finding a Pediatrician

Finding a pediatrician to meet your family's needs is important for any parent, but adoptive families have unique considerations when choosing the right doctor. A social and medical history from a birthmother that an adoption agency can provide is just one piece of a larger medical background. Follow this link for tips and specific questions that will help you choose a pediatrician who can help fill in the pieces and a serve as a support for a family built by adoption! 

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COFAF June Discussion Group: How Social-Emotional-Behavioral Difficulties Correlate with Learning Problems

Check out the Coalition of Adoptive Families (COFAF) ALL- June 15th discussion group with Julieann Ash, Midwest Educational Therapist. 

Topics to be discussed include:

  • reducing anxiety and frustration by learning to bridge processing difficulties
  • provide clarification around the causes of learning problems

When: June 15th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm

Where: Columbus School of Chinese

            1550 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43214

For more information go to COFAF's Event Calendar.

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Save the Adoption Tax Credit!

TAKE ACTION NOW! Contact your member of Congress to save the adoption tax credit. 

Help give children a forever home - make it possible for all families to adopt!

American families are worried about a new legislative proposal to eliminate the adoption tax credit, which would raise the cost of adoption. And even with the existing adoption credit, many families cannot benefit unless the credit is made refundable.

If you believe the adoption tax credit is important, please just take a few minutes to record a video that will automatically be sent to your member of Congress! Save the Adoption Tax Credit makes it easy to do this with a step by step process outlined on their website.

Join organizations and adoption tax credit advocates now by acting now to protect America’s families and improve, not remove, this path to family for children. 

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Happy Mother's Day!

For all the Mothers and Mothers To Be...Happy Mother's Day!

 

 Happy Mother's Day from your friends at Adoption Circle

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Annual Conference of the American Adoption Attorneys

Landis Olaker, Adoption Circle's attorney, manning the table at the Annual Conference of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys in Montreal, Canada! Adoption Circle is proud to be an official sponsor of the Academy's 2017 annual meeting. 

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New Schedule for Columbus Support Meetings!

Big News: Effective immediately, the Columbus-area meetings will now be offered every OTHER month. Don't miss their March meetings:

Columbus Birthparent Group on 3/12

Cincinnati General Group on 3/18

Columbus Adult Adoptee Group on 3/21

The Columbus Open/General Meeting has an off month in March, but will be on the schedule for April. Spread the word!

Check out Ohio Birthparent Group's Event Calendar for more details!

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A Collection of Adoption Books for Children

TAMARA'S JOY

There are over 230 adoption books for children to choose from! Granted this list has books from as far back at the 1980’s but as current as 2016!

These books are sorted the best that I could, considering I haven’t read each book. If you see your own book in this list and care to have it reviewed or moved to another category please email me!

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The Hope Summit 2017: 10 people. 10 stories of hope.

Check out this FREE online event about finding hope through the trials of life. 

The Hope Summit features 10 real-life foster, adoptive, special needs, and traditional parents who have walked through some of life's biggest trials, but have found hope in the middle of them. You will be inspired by their honest and powerful stories.

When: March 1st - 10th, 2017

Hosted by Mike Berry from Confessions of an Adoptive Parent

Click here to save your spot!

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The Adoption Tax Credit - Register for a Free Webinar Next Week!

You may have heard that you can offset the expense of building your family through adoption by claiming the Adoption Tax Credit. But how do you do this? Which expenses qualify and how do you document them? Are there different guidelines for families adopting domestically, internationally, or through the foster system? What about expenses incurred during a failed adoption attempt? Can you claim the credit retroactively?

In this webinar, Adoption Tax Credit Specialist® Becky Wilmoth, EA, will provide an overview of the credit—what is covered, how and when to file for it—and answer questions submitted by attendees. The Expert Q&A Webinar with Becky Wilmoth, EA: "The Adoption Tax Credit" will take place on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 2pm to 3pm ET (1pm-2pm CT; 12pm-1pm MT; 11am-12pm PT).

REGISTER NOW

 

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COFAF Winter/Spring Discussion Group Series

Coalition of Adoptive Families (COFAF) is hosting the Winter/Spring Discussion Group Series "Creating Family Through Adoption". The first Discussion Group is tomorrow, Thursday (1/19/17). See below for details!

The Brady Bunch We're Not: Blending Family When Adopting a Traumatized Child.

When adopting a child that has been traumatized, there is often little discussion about the impact on the family-- in particularly the other kids. Hope you can join us Thursday when we explore this topic. The discussion group handout is enclosed with this email so you can see what we plan to cover.

Date: 1/19/17
Time: 7:00 - 9:00p.m.
Where: 1550 Old Henderson Rd. Suite N162, Columbus OH, 43220

Check out COFAF's Event Calendar for the Group Series schedule!

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Ohio Birthparent Group December Adult Adoptee Group - Columbus

Join Central Ohio adult adoptees for this private support and discussion group- for adult adoptees only (18+).
 
December 20th @ 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Gahanna Public Library
310 Granville St., Gahanna, OH 43230 
 
For questions and to RSVP, contact Sheree Gordon here.
 
Find out more about this event and other adoption support groups in your area on the Ohio Birthparent Group website
 

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Basic Care and Styling of Black Girls' Hair

Many adoptive parents of Black girls struggle with caring for their daughters’ hair. This challenge can impact a parent’s sense of confidence, as well as their daughter’s self-esteem. That’s why we’ve turned to the experts for help! 

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Adoption Circle Family Shares their Adoption Story with Local Community

Meet Rick, Tom, and their two beautiful daughters! These  dads share their story of adoption, and the different steps  they took when adopting their girls. 

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RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to offer a local, peer led support group!

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is pleased to announce a NEW GENERAL ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP in AKRON/CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO! 

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Adoption Circle's 2016 Picnic

Adoption Circle's 2016 Picnic included a “Renaissance” theme where Enactors came and gave demonstrations and set up projects.  All of our adoptive families and the children we have placed over 30 years are invited to our annual picnic.

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Five Tips for Creating Honest Conversations about Adoption

Earlier this month I introduced the topic of talking about adoption with your child. We discussed values in that first entry and I said we would spend the next few weeks going over the essential ideals of Honesty, Acceptance and…

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Empowered to Connect Conference Simulcast

Empowered To Connect, together with Show Hope, hosts the Empowered To Connect Simulcast — a two-day conference designed to help adoptive and foster parents, ministry leaders, churches, and professionals better understand how to connect with “children from hard places” in order to help them heal and become all that God desires for them to be.

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Adoption Circle

Adoption Circle's team of dedicated professionals are available 24/7 for birthparents and located across Ohio to assist you with your adoption needs.

Our Locations
Columbus
Cleveland