Post-Adoption Services
Post-Adoption Services are services for adoptees and birth parents who received adoption services from Children & Families First or one of our predecessor agencies (such as the Children's Bureau)
Delaware adoption records are sealed by law, therefore without the mutual consent of the birth family and adoptee we cannot disclose actual names or addresses.
Services We Provide:
Medical History
Non-identifying Background Information
Search Services
Counseling
Fees
Birth Certificates
Contact Person
Medical History
We offer the opportunity for birth parents to update their medical history so accurate information is available in the agency file if an adoptee requests this information. A health history form is available from the contact person.
Medical history from the case record is provided to adoptees upon request.
Non-Identifying Background Information
We can provide a summary of non-identifying family background information to adoptees. This is in chart form and includes a physical description of birth parents, education, employment, religion, ethnic background, to the extent that this information is in the record. It also includes a brief paragraph about the circumstances surrounding the adoption decision.
Search Services
We offer a search service for adult adoptees and birth parents. We attempt to locate the person to determine if they wish to have contact. We abide by their decision. If the answer is "yes," we put people in contact with each other. If the answer is "no," identifying information is not disclosed. We also cannot guarantee that we will be able to locate the person.
Counseling
Counseling is provided around adoption issues for both children and adults affected by adoption. Counselors with skills specific to adoption-related issues are available to work with birth parents who have placed a child for adoption as well as children and adults who have been adopted through Children & Families First or one of our predecessor agencies (Children's Bureau, etc.).
Fees
There is a fee for the non-identifying information and for a search, based on household income and number in the family. Since we are a United Way agency, clients are asked to pay according to a sliding fee scale. The United Way and Grant In Aid make up the difference between the fee and the actual cost to the agency for providing the service.
Birth Certificates
Adoptees over the age of 21 who were born in Delaware may request a copy of their original birth certificate from Vital Statistics. Vital Statistics information can be obtained by calling (302) 739-4751.
Contact Person for Post-Adoption Information
Theresa Broome, MSW:
P: (302) 658-5177 x238
Email: theresa.broome@cffde.org
