Search and reunions are important topics to cover when discussing adoption. On today’s podcast, we welcome two women who have made a significant impact helping adoptees and birth parents in their search process. Helen Blair Schuler is a former Orphan’s Court Administrator in Montgomery County and continues to provide adoption search services. Marilyn Rich is Adoptions From The Heart’s Search Coordinator and District Supervisor for our Central PA Region with over 28 years as an adoption social worker. Marilyn is also an adoptee.
In this episode, we will discuss the ins and outs of Pennsylvania Adoption Searches: What is a search, what the statues say, how confidentiality and right to know play in adoption searching. Most importantly, know it’s a very personal journey and each individual can decide if and when they begin their own personal search.
Episode Highlights

What is an Adoption Search
1984 Adoption Statue & Revisions with 2010’s ACT 101
How do Searches Begin
Adoption Searches and Confidentiality
What Happens When an Agency Wasn’t Involved in Adoption Placement
Agency Maintaining Adoption Records for 99 Years
How to Reach Out During a Search
Reasons for Searching
Increase in Birth Parents Requesting Searches for Adoptees
Encountering Surprises During the Search Process
Balancing Privacy of Birth Parents and Adoptee Right to Knowledge
Creating a Relationship After Connecting
Searching is Not for Everyone and That’s OK Too

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