Upstate CAPS (Wilmington)
2026-01-09 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-10 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-01 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wilmington Office, 1307 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19809, United States
Join us for our Upstate CAPS (Connections for Adoption and Permanency Supports) Parent Support Group in-person in Wilmington, or virtually via Zoom from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
This support group is a welcoming space for adoptive and foster parents to:
Connect with other parents who truly understand your journey.
Share challenges and celebrate wins.
Listen, learn, and feel supported—even if you don’t feel like sharing.
Every parent deserves a community that “gets it.” Sometimes, just being in the same room with other families who understand can bring comfort and encouragement.
✅ Free dinner provided✅ Childcare available for ages 2+
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Building Cultural Humility
2026-01-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Special Guest Presenters:
Marne Gulley, Adoptive Parent and Associate Director of Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families
Deontae Boswell, Adult Transracial Adoptee and Heritage Camps Volunteer
This workshop offers parents and others who support adoptees an opportunity to deepen their understanding of racial identity formation—both for themselves and for the adoptees in their lives. Participants will explore research-based concepts related to cultural humility and racial identity development, alongside perspectives from both an adoptive parent and an adoptee. Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families is a post-adoption resource dedicated to promoting healthy adoption, racial, and ethnic identities in transracial, transnational, and domestic adoptees by creating an intrinsic sense of belonging. Marne Gulley is an adoptive mom to three amazing young people. She’s been part of the HCAF community since 2009 and is passionate about creating environments where adoptive families can experience connection, belonging, and growth.
Jan 20th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm via Zoom.
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Downstate CAPS (Milford)
2026-01-23 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-27 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-27 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-24 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-29 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Milford Office, 805 S. DuPont Boulevard, Milford, DE, 19963, United States
Join us for our Downstate CAPS (Connections for Adoption and Permanency Supports) Parent Support Group tonight in Milford from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
This in-person support group is a welcoming space for adoptive and foster parents to:
Connect with other parents who truly understand your journey.
Share challenges and celebrate wins.
Listen, learn, and feel supported—even if you don’t feel like sharing.
Every parent deserves a community that “gets it.” Sometimes, just being in the same room with other families who understand can bring comfort and encouragement.
✅ Free dinner provided✅ Childcare available for ages 2+
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Helping Children Understand Their Story
2026-02-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Facilitators: Meg Garey, LPCMH/Executive Director and Celeste Bishop, Permanency Specialist
Adoptive Parents, Permanent Guardians, Guardians, and foster parents often struggle to find just the right words to help their children understand why they aren’t being raised by their biological parents. Topics such as abuse, neglect, substance use, and incarceration – among others – are sensitive topics. As parents and caregivers, we want to shield our kids from things that may hurt or confuse them. When our kids become curious and start asking the hard questions, we’re often at a loss about the words to use and how much information is “okay” to share. Join us as we talk about how important it is for our kids to understand their story in a way that doesn’t further traumatize them. You’ll leave this workshop with conversational approaches you can use with your children at different developmental stages.
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-11 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-01 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Facilitated by: Amy Morgan, LPCMH, CPAT and Celeste Bishop, Permanency Specialist
We are so excited to once again offer this seven-part series created by Robyn Gobbel, based on her book, Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors. This course will help to demystify the most baffling behaviors. Your parenting toolbox will be stuffed with brain, body, and sensory strategies that actually work. You’ll grow your tolerance for baffling behaviors so you can parent the way that you want to. Seven weeks is a long time, we know! But you’ll join us and other parents from across Delaware for just one evening a week, you’ll come to develop the confidence to stay connected to your kids even in the face of the most bizarre and baffling behaviors.
This is a WEEKLY SERIES from March 4th through April 15th.
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Understanding and Supporting Transracial Adoptees & Fosterees with Special Guest Isaac Etter
2026-03-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Special Guest Presenters:
Isaac Etter, Transracial Adoptee and Social Entrepreneur
Adopted at the age of two, Isaac Etter brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work as the founder of Identity and Parenting Different. Isaac sparks honest conversations about how to support adopted children as the grow up. He equips parents with the tools and understanding needed to build families where adoptees feel seen, heard, and truly valued. Join in as Isaac shares with us his own transracial adoption experience and his practical guide to helping children develop healthy racial identities. We’ll laugh and learn from Isaac’s story of growing up as a “black boy in a white family.” He’ll outline a practical guide of what to do and conversations to have with every age.
We are so excited to bring such a sought-after speaker and educator to our Delaware families! You are not going to want to miss this workshop! Learn more about Isaac before the workshop at: www.identitylearning.co and www.parentingdifferent.com
📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Understanding the Arc of Escalation with Special Guest Jaclyn Kodosky, LMSW
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:30 | Virtual via Zoom
Special Guest Presenter: Jaclyn Kodosky, LMSW
This workshop will help participants recognize that behavioral outbursts in young people often follow a predictable “arc of escalation.” By understanding this arc—ranging from initial triggers and progressing to a full-blown crisis—caregivers and professionals can learn to anticipate behaviors, intervene early, and respond effectively at each stage. Participants will gain insight into the key stages of escalation, learn the importance of early intervention, and explore strategies for managing behavior during and after a crisis. This training emphasizes practical de-escalation techniques, effective communication strategies, and how to maintain safety and control. By mastering these skills, participants can defuse potentially volatile situations, reduce harm, and create more positive outcomes in both personal and professional environments.
Note that this workshop will run until 8:30 p.m.

📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community
2026-05-02 08:00 - 11:00
Walk with us! Registration is FREE!
This year, we’re walking for the children who need more than what insurance covers. Too many kids in our community, especially those who have experienced trauma, are unable to access critical therapy and mental health support simply because it falls outside of coverage.
With every step, we’re raising funds to ensure they get the care they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
📩 Register here: Highmark Walk For A Healthy Community Wilmington

Online Workshop: The Big 3: Raging, Lying & Stealing with Special Guest Presenter Barb Clark
2026-05-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Special Guest Presenter: Barb Clark, Adoptive Parent, Author, & Founder of FASD Mosaic
Child welfare professionals and caregivers alike often support children, teens, or adults who struggle with emotional regulation, impulse control, and behaviors that may appear defiant, disruptive, or confusing. Traditional behavior management strategies frequently fall short—especially when trauma, neurodiversity, or brain-based conditions are involved—leaving everyone feeling frustrated and disconnected. This session addresses trauma-responsive, relationship-centered approaches to challenging behaviors. Through real-world examples and practical tools, participants will learn how to shift from reacting to connecting—using strategies that de-escalate conflict, build trust, and promote long-term growth. Behaviors like raging, lying and stealing will be reframed through a lens of compassion, brain science, and hope.
Attendees will receive a FREE copy of Barb’s book, Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive! That includes helpful chapters regarding raging, lying, and stealing.
Barb Clark is known for her down-to-earth style, blending honesty, humor, and practical wisdom to empower caregivers and professionals. Her trainings offer real-world strategies that actually work. As the adoptive parent of five adult children, including one with FASD, Barb brings lived experience and deep insight to her work in her business.

📩 RSVP today by emailing training@abcfoc.org.

Online Workshop: Becoming an Ally for LGBTQ+ Youth with Special Guest Presenter Kyle Teller, PhD, of The Trevor Project
2026-06-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Special Guest Presenter: Kyle Teller, PhD, of The Trevor Project
Many LGBTQ+ youth report feeling ignored or discounted when their foster and adoptive parents or other caretakers are unable to talk about gender and sexual identity issues. LGBTQ+ youth who are struggling with self-identification often aren’t able to explain their sexual orientation, because they themselves are in the process of learning who they are. Because LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system, many of our kids may be at a higher risk for mental health disorders and thoughts of self-harm or suicide if they have no one they feel they can talk to. As caregivers, it’s our responsibility to educate ourselves about sexual/gender orientation and how to support the youth we care for. The Ally Training is designed to create dialogue around being an adult ally for LGBTQ+ young people by informing participants about common terminology, the “coming out” process, and challenges at home, in school, and the community. This training welcomes all to learn how to support LGBTQ+ young people, no matter your starting point.

This is an event you won’t want to miss! Email training@abcfoc.org to register.

Upstate Workshop: Take Care of Yourself – And We Mean It!
2026-07-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Wilmington Office, 1307 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19809, United States
Facilitated by: ABCFOC Staff and Community Partner Volunteers
We’re going to show you how to practice what we preach when we say Take Care Of Yourself. Join us for a Saturday of rest and relaxation IN PERSON! We’ll treat you to activities that are sure to help you to relax, if only for a few hours. How about a chair massage, a skin care demonstration, a few minutes of Zen in a room with soft music and soothing scents? We’ll serve you some delicious snacks and give you time to TCOY!
So, find a babysitter, wear your comfy clothes, and join us! RSVPs are required for this event. Please register by emailing training@abcfoc.org. Be sure to tell us whether you’ll be attending at our Wilmington or Milford location.
Please note that we cannot provide childcare for this event. Space is limited, so be sure to register early.

Downstate Workshop: Take Care of Yourself – And We Mean It!
2026-08-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Milford Office, 805 S. DuPont Boulevard, Milford, DE, 19963, United States
