Post Adoption Services:

We provide Post Adoption Services to members of the adoption triad--the adoptee, birth family, and the adoptive family--whose lives have been directly affected by the adoption process. Adoption is an emotional, social and legal family building process that is lifelong. Responding to an increasing need, our program can be an extension of services begun before an adoption was legalized, or in response to a subsequent request by a member of the triad.

All services must comply with applicable legal statutes and the ethic of confidentiality. Alabama law specifies the responsibility of a child placing agency in regard to confidentiality and what information can be shared.

OUR SERVICES
Individual and Family Counseling: assists families and individuals with adoption-related issues and problems. These may include help for adoptive parents in answering children's questions; for young adults facing identity issues; and in preparing adult adoptees to learn their genetic histories. Counseling also helps birth parents to cope with grief and loss; individuals to consider realistic expectations before meeting and with obtaining current literature.

Assistance in locating birth families: This service includes searching for a birth parent and facilitating a face-to-face meeting, if both parties consent. A search for a birth parent can be initiated only by an adult who has reached the legal age of 19. It can be a time-consuming process of searching agency files and public records. We promise a diligent search, but cannot guarantee success. Currently, Children's Aid Society is successful in finding the birth mother in 95% of its requests.

Background information: A social worker will share non-identifying information with an adult adoptee. Information will be prepared regarding health and medical histories, family background, physical descriptions and circumstances under which the child came to be placed for adoption.

Minors may receive information with the permission of their adoptive parents. Adoptive parents may request additional non-identifying background information such as health and mental health histories.

Identifying information such as name and location can only be given with the written consent of the person involved.

Intermediary Services: help adoptees or birth parents who wish to have some contact, yet keep their identities anonymous by forwarding letters between the parties. The agency is not authorized to contact adoptees at the request of birth parents. It will, however, make contact when necessary to convey significant genetic or medical information.

Support Groups:  A support group meets monthly for persons who are adopted and for persons who have relinquished a child for adoption.  Members of the group provide support and advice to each other.  Some members have been involved in searches or reunions, and they share stories of their successes and their frustrations.  Members help to reach out to other birth parents and adoptees, work to increase public awareness, and try to educate themselves and others about adoption issues.  Any birthparent or adoptee can attend meetings free of charge.  Prior involvement with CAS is not necessary.  Childcare is not provided.  Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at CAS.  Call for more information or directions.

Who is Eligible?:
Anyone in the adoption triad whom Children's Aid Society (CAS) has previously served, or, in some cases, relatives of those people, can participate in this service.

CAS may be able to provide counseling at the request of another agency for someone who has been involved in an adoption process, but not with CAS. We will not have background information or be able to do a search unless placement was through this agency.

Place of residence will not be a factor in eligibility if clients were previously served by CAS. The eligibility of those not previously served will be limited to the United Way of Central Alabama's service area of Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, and St. Clair counties.

Services may be offered regardless of age, except for those less than 19 years old. In that case, consent of the adoptive parents is required before and non-identifying background information can be shared.

A minimum charge will help the agency defray the expenses of providing background information and conducting searches.

To make a request or to send donations, contact:
Children's Aid Society
181 West Valley Avenue, Suite 300
Homewood, AL 35209
205-251-7148