Resources for Adult Adoptees:
The Adoption Journey
Julie Kirven, LSW
2/28/2012
(SASS 505: Adoption Practice and Policy)
Adoption Issues
• Adoption is a lifelong, intergenerational process that
unites the triad of birth families, adoptees, and adoptive
families forever
• Adoption triggers seven core issues for the adoptee,
regardless of the circumstances of the adoption:
1. Loss
2.Rejection
3. Guilt and Shame
4. Grief
5. Identity
6. Intimacy
7. Mastery/control
(Silverstein and Kaplan 1982)
Adoption Issues
• The adoptee makes the transition from one family to
another with minimal consideration of the child's longterm needs. The emphasis has been on the needs of the
adults.
• The ramifications of this attitude can be seen in the
number of difficulties experienced by adoptees.
• By identifying and integrating these core issues into
services and supports universalizes and validates
adoptees experiences, decreasing their isolation and
feelings of helplessness. (pre/post-adoption education,
post-placement supervision, and all post-legalized
services, including treatment)
(http://library.adoption.com)
Famous Adoptees
Anita Baker
Nancy Reagan
Bill Clinton
Faith Hill
George "Superman" Reeves
Greg Louganis
George Washington Carver
Jim Palmer
Ray Liotta
Rebecca de Mornay
Melissa Gilbert
Debbie Harry
Jessie Jackson
Lee Majors
Tim McGraw
Demi Moore
Edgar Allan Poe
Ingrid Bergman
Dave Thomas
Search/Reunion
The desire to search for birth relatives is a normal part of the identity
formation process for adopted people. Many adopted people decide
to search for their birth family at some point during their lives.
There are many reasons why adopted people choose to search:
• The desire for general birth family information like names of birth
parents
• Where they live
• What they are like
• Information about birth family traits and personalities
• Information about the circumstances surrounding the adoption
• The need for medical information
(www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/search/searching)
Preparing for the Search
Reconnection with birth parent(s) can be emotionally grueling. It is
important to be ready. Prepare yourself beforehand, and you’ll be
well on your way to re-establishing contact. It’s natural to be scared
or nervous. Move forward when you’re ready, and gather your
support system around you.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
• Do you have the resources and time necessary to complete the
search?
• Which resources and mediums will you be using?
• Do you have a sturdy, reliable support system?
• Are you interested in using a paid searcher?
• Are you prepared to not experience the ideal outcome?
• Are you ready to see this search through to the end?
(www.adoption.com)
Accessing Information
• Adoptions Prior to Jan. 1, 1964 – Adoption records
open to people who were born and adopted in Ohio, with
proper identification
• Adoptions Between Jan. 1, 1964 and Sept. 18, 1996 –
Adoption records are sealed and only opened by a
probate court order (H.B. 84)
• Adoptions After Sept. 18, 1996 – Adoption records are
open to adoptive parents when the adopted person is
between 18-21 years of age. If the adopted person is 21
years or older, the records are open to the adoptee.
(H.B. 419)
(www.adoptionnetwork.org)
Accessing Information (cont.)
The Ohio Department of Health houses birth and adoption records for
anyone born in Ohio and in the United States.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Office of Vital Statistics
P.O. 15098
Columbus, Ohio 43215
www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/vitalstats.aspx
Telephone: (614) 466-2531
Searching
• Request your non-identifying information from the
agency that handled your adoption.
• Register with the International Soundex Reunion
Registry at 888-886-ISSR or online at www.isrr.net.
• Go to the Ohio Department of Vital Statistics. If you are
an adoptee, you can see if a copy of your original birth
certificate is available.
• You can register with the Ohio Adoption Registry
www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoptreg.aspx.
(www.adoptionnetwork.org)
Search Resources
• Adoptees Search Rights Association (*Search support)
P.O. Box 8713 Toledo, Ohio, 43613
Contact: Nancy Gillen
• Adoptee Liberty Movement Association (ALMA) - ALMA is the oldest
and most successful adoption reunion registry.
www.almasociety.org/
• The National Adoption Registry -founded in 1991 for the exclusive
purpose of providing a simple, affordable forum for reuniting
adoptees and birthparents.
www.nationaladoptionregistry.com/
• Adopting.org - website to search for lost loved one.
http://www.adopting.org/search.html
Resources (cont.)
• Adopt INFO – a website that has a comprehensive handbook that
shows you how to search for birth parent(s).
www.cyfc.umn.edu/adoptinfo/howtosearch.html
• Adoption Registry- site claims to be the largest website dealing
with reunions. www.adoptionregistry.com/
• Adoptee Search Center - registry that appears to be free, the ability
to search, tips for searching and search services.
www.adopteesearchcenter.org
• New York Adoption 1969 – for adoptees born on 1969 to put there
information on a website in hopes of finding their birth parents.
www.home.nccoast.net/nyadoption/1969a.htm
• New York Adoption 1965 - for adoptees born in 1965, allows the
adoptees to put their information on the site in hopes of finding their
birth parents.
www.nccoast.net/nyadoption/1965a.htm
•
(msass.case.edu/faculty/vgroza/students/fall2000/005.htm)
Supports
Adoption Network Cleveland:
 Adoption Helpline (216) 325-1000
 General Support and Discussion Meetings
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Times of all meetings are 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information
about General Support and Discussion Meetings, contact Linda
Bellini at (216) 482-2323.
Adoptee Journeys- an in-depth series of evening workshops that
explore different aspects of being adopted and related issues
Search and Reunion assistance
Mentoring and Resources for Youth
Advocacy– Adoption Equity Ohio
http://www.adoptionnetwork.org
Supports
Summit County Children Services:
 Information, support and referral:
Adoptive parents can contact the
agency to talk with a post-adoption specialist. Information about adoption
issues and parenting can be shared.
 PASSS (Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy):
PASSS
is a state funded subsidy program that provides families with funds for
services that help maintain children in their adoptive homes
 Support Groups:
A list of adoption support groups in the area
is available upon request.
 Other subsidies: State and Federal Maintenance subsidies provide a
monthly stipend to families. These are meant to assist with the cost of adding
an adopted child to the family.
Supports (cont.)
 Post Adoption Inquiries: Adult adoptees adopted through
Summit County Children Services may request non-identifying
information about their pre-adoptive history and their birth families.
For more information contact Jenny Biggin at jbiggin@summitkids.org
or (330)375-1674
Summit County Children Services
264 S. Arlington St.
Akron, OH 44306
(330)434-KIDS
www.summitkids.org
Support Groups
• 1st Thursday, 2nd Wednesday, 3rd Thursday, Last Tuesday of the
month—General Support and Discussion Meetings for any adult adoptee,
adoptive parent, birthparent, prospective adoptive parent, professional, or
anyone interested in lifelong adoption issues. every month, from 7:00 to
9:00 pm Linda Bellini, Adoption Network Cleveland at (216) 325-1000, ext.
123. www.AdoptionNetwork.org
• 2nd Thursday of every month--Adoption Cluster/Support Group, 6:30•
8:30 p.m., 3955 Euclid Avenue, 3rd Floor, Cleveland, Ohio. Contact Michele
at (216) 381-2611 or at michelemvm@msn.com
Adoption Connection
P.O. Box 2482
Youngstown, Ohio 44509
Contact: Lucy Ruffner
(330) 792-3546
*Birthparents, Adult adopted persons and adoptive parents
(www.adoptamericanetwork.org)
Support Groups (cont.)
On-line Support Groups:
• Monthly support group for all adoptees and formerly fostered
individuals over age 18. The new online group is facilitated by
experienced adult adoptees. Registered participants attend monthly
sessions as well as post to the discussion forums at any time.
The site is fully secure and names known only to group
administrators.
Contact: Amy Fjellman at afjellman@mnadopt.org for details on
registration and an expected launch date.
• The Barker Foundation
Contact: Abbe Levine 301-664-9664
Email: alevine@barkerfoundation.org
• All-Adoptee: Yahoo Groups
Contact: 317-849-5651
Email: All-adoptee@yahoogroups.com
Support Groups (con’t)
On-Line Groups:
• Adoptees Birthrights Committee (ABC)
Website: www.adopteesbirthrightscommittee.com
• Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
Where: Austin, TX
Email: aka@adoptionknowledge.org
• American Adoption Congress (AAC) - provide education for our
members and We advocate legislation that will grant every individual
access to information about his or her family and heritage.
www.americanadoptioncongress.org
• Ohio Adoption Laws- The site provides information on Ohio
adoption laws pertaining to the parties involved and procedures
http://www.state.oh.us
(www.aha.mn/resources/adoptee-support-groups/)
Clinical Implications
 Adoption is a process, not an event, and adoption-related issues
may come up for adopted people around particular life events, no
matter how the adoption occurred. (birthdays, giving birth, holidays
(Mother's Day or Father's Day), age- or school-related life events,
and developmental milestones or stages (graduations, identity
formation of adolescence, etc.).
 There are predictable and normal issues/emotions that most
adopted people will experience and may benefit from professional
services from adoption-competent providers/services.
 Services that would be beneficial include:
-Outpatient mental health services/counseling (to deal with issues of
grief and loss, attachment issues, difficulty trusting others, etc.)
-Education/Information
-Mentoring (linking adult adoptees with other adult adoptees)
-Formal and informal supports
-Assistance with search and reunion
(childwelfare.gov/adoption)
Education/Recommended
Reading
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Second Choice: Growing Up Adopted
Robert Anderson
Adoption Reunion Survival Guide: Preparing Yourself for the Search,
Reunion, and Beyond
Julie Bailey and Lynn Giddens
Late Discoveries: An Adoptee's Quest for Truth
Susan Bennett
Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self
David M.Brodzinsky, Marshall D. Schlechter, Robin Marantz Henig.
Outer Search/Inner Journey: An Orphan and Adoptee's Quest
Peter F. Dodds.
• Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Sherrie Eldridge
• The Search: A Memoir of an Adopted Woman
Titia Ellis
“No one yet
has put into words
the complexity
of being adopted.”
-B.J. Lifton
References
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msass.case.edu/faculty/vgroza/students/fall2000/005.htm
www.adoptionnetwork.org
www.adoption.com
www.library.adoption.com
www.summitkids.org
adoptamericanetwork.org
www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/search/searching.cfm
www.aha.mn/resources/adoptee-support-groups/