Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE)

The Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange provides suggested matches between approved adoptive familiess with children in the PA child welfare system who are waiting for permanency and: 

• Who are legally free for 90 days and have no report of intent to adopt filed, and
• For whom termination of parental rights is being pursued. 

 

Additional PAE services include:

• Registering children and families in the database for electronic matching
• Referring potential matches to the child’s and the family’s agencies 
• Training workers and families at SWAN/Independent Living meetings and conferences  

 

The children served by PAE face many challenges, including:

• Abuse and neglect
• Multiple placements
• Drug and alcohol exposure
• Special education needs
• Emotional disturbance
• Mental retardation
• Special medical care
• Physical disability