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