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New Options for Pennsylvania Adoptions

New Options for Pennsylvania Adoptions. Overview of Act 101 of 2010. Openness in Adoptions. What does openness mean to you? How/when have you discussed? Have you ever addressed in court? What impact do you see on permanency?. Act 101 -- Overview. Signed October 27, 2010

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New Options for Pennsylvania Adoptions

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  1. New Options for Pennsylvania Adoptions Overview of Act 101 of 2010

  2. Openness in Adoptions • What does openness mean to you? • How/when have you discussed? • Have you ever addressed in court? • What impact do you see on permanency?

  3. Act 101 -- Overview • Signed October 27, 2010 • Effective April 25, 2011 • Amended Pennsylvania Adoption Act

  4. Amendments – 3 Main Areas • Voluntary agreements for post-adoption contact • Expansion of information registry • Expansion of access to adoption records

  5. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – Why? • Recognize emotional connections • Support positive connections • Promote permanency through adoption

  6. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – Who? • Prospective adoptive parents • Birth relative of child: • Parent • Grandparent • Stepparent • Sibling • Uncle/Aunt

  7. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – What? • Written agreement • Accompanied by oath • Approved by court • Legally enforceable

  8. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – What? • Specifies type of contact or communication • Frequency, location, duration • Participants • Any conditions • Process for modification

  9. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – Where? • Agreement filed with court that finalizes the adoption

  10. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – When? • Court approval on or before date of adoption decree • When to discuss option with possible participants?

  11. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – How? • Notification • Legal representation • Facilitation • Mediation • Use of SWAN services

  12. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – What if . . .? • Modification • Enforcement • Discontinuance

  13. Agreements for Post-Adoption Contact – Practice Implications • Read assigned case scenario • Respond to questions • Group discussion

  14. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – Why? • Importance of medical & social information to healthy development • Existing AMHR not effective

  15. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – What? • Statewide, confidential • Medical & social history • Authorization forms • All Pennsylvania adoptions

  16. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – What? • Medical information: • Related to adoptee or birth family • Relevant to present or future health care • Related to hereditary or congenital conditions • Identifying information removed

  17. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – What? • Social history information: • Typically included in SWAN Child Profile • Economic, cultural & ethnic information • Developmental history • Social & educational experiences • Current functioning

  18. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – Where? • Registry will be managed by Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange

  19. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – Who? • Who can file information? • Who can request information? • Who can be the subject of a request for information?

  20. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – When? • Court advises parent at time of TPR • Adoptee, birth parent, adoptive parent can file/update any time • Agencies to file information • Registry response time = 30 days

  21. Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry – How? • Registration form for agencies/courts • Authorization/registration form for • Adoptee • Birth parent • Request form for all permitted to make requests

  22. Access to Adoption Records • A journey through the search process: • Read case scenario • Use Handout #2 and #3 to respond to questions

  23. Access to Adoption Records • For more training and information on search process: • 2-day trainings for authorized representatives

  24. For Further Information: Eleanor L. Bush, Esq. Diakon/FDR ebush@diakon-swan.org Rachel H. Meaker, Esq. Diakon/FDR rmeaker@diakon-swan.org

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