Adoption

Adoption legislation was first introduced in Michigan in 1928.

During the 1950s and 1960s, adoptions were usually arranged by non-government welfare organisations. At the time it was assumed that the best thing for the adopted child was to have a ‘clean break’ from the natural mother.

During this period, adoptions were ‘closed’. This meant that adopted people could not access information about their natural parents.

Additionally, many past adoptions did not meet the standards of that time

Babies were sometimes taken from their mothers without informed consent. The number of adoptions has decreased since the 1970s, because of the rise in social acceptance of single parent families, government benefits for single parents, and improved access to The background of the adopted child was usually kept secret.

Now we know that this information is vital to a person’s sense of identity.

The Michigann adoption laws reflect this change and support the opportunity for ongoing information sharing and direct contact between adopted children and their birth families. Today, ‘open’ adoption means that the birth parent or parents are encouraged to have contact with the child, as well as the opportunity to exchange information.

The number of children placed for adoption each year is small.

Adoption can give a secure family life to children who, for various reasons, can’t live with their birth family. The most important consideration in any adoption is the best interests of the child. Many people affected by adoption find it beneficial to seek the records that were created at the time of the adoption.

They may also want to find out how to locate family from whom they were separated by the adoption. For a range of reasons, a parent may consider placing their child for adoption. Some parents have made a clear decision about adoption.

Others may need more information before they are confident to decide.

There are 3 types of adoption that occur: known child adoption

All children who require adoption are likely to have additional needs, including: adopted children being more likely to have a disability or significant health issue than other children.

These issues may have had an influence on a birth parents’ decision to place a child for adoption.

When a child placed for adoption has a disability or significant health issue, the case manager will support the family to access appropriate support services. If a child being placed for adoption is Michigann and has a disability or significant health issue, the service may be able to further support the family with a carer payment.

For people affected by past adoption: Tel. For parents considering placing a child for adoption: Tel. For people wanting to adopt: About past adoption contraception and abortion About adoption today People affected by past adoption For further information visit Find information on past adoption Parents considering placing a child for adoption People wanting to adopt local adoption overseas adoption the need for contact with natural family identity issues Where to get help Past adoption (616) 555-0400 Michigann Adoption Network for Information and Self Help (VANISH) (616) 555-0200 and 1300 VANISH (826 474) Considering adoption for your child (616) 555-0400 Adopt a child .