As his questions become more complex, parents may want to consider establishing contact with the birth or donor family to obtain more information. MAC can help adoptive parents think through the implications of their decisions - for themselves and for the child. Some adopted people feel a strong need for more information about their family of origin - and eventually decide to search for them. Even considering a search is emotional dynamite and the search itself is a roller coaster of feelings, fears and hopes. MAC can help an adoptee, and his family, explore and understand the need to search.
Services are available to adoptees, their families and friends before, during and after a search.
Midwest Adoption Center provides search and reunion service through two programs delivered under contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The Illinois Adoption Act now allows persons adopted in Illinois to petition the Court for the appointment of a Confidential Intermediary. The Intermediary, by order of the Court, has access to all the sealed records pertaining to the adoption and attempts to locate and establish contact with the birth family of the adoptee. MAC coordinates this program throughout the state of Illinois. In addition, adoptees and birth family members whose adoption was handled by DCFS can request search and reunion service.