New Tools for Post-Adoption Contract Agreement (PACA) Conversations

Two new voluntary PACA information sheets have been developed as tools to help facilitate conversations with older youth and families. Voluntary Post-Adoption Contact Agreements: An Explanation for Youth is written to use with youth while Voluntary Post-Adoption Contact Agreements: An Explanation for Families is to begin discussion with birth relatives and pre-adoptive families.

Under Act 101 of 2010, a voluntary PACA is a legally enforceable agreement made between the adoptive parent(s) and birth relative(s) of the child/youth who is being adopted.  PACAs provide a means for older youth to legally have contact with their birth relatives, parents, grandparents, siblings or other extended family after the adoption is finalized.  Benefits to a voluntary PACA include recognizing a child’s emotional connection to birth relatives, providing access to birth family history, and providing support to adoption.  Older youth may be more willing to enter into an adoption if they understand the intention of a PACA.