Any adoptive family or adoption professional can attest to the fact that the placement of a child in the home for adoption is not the end of the story. Nor is the moment of adoption finalization. Like any family or relationship, the adoptive family grows and evolves, experiencing situations that are both common to families formed by birth, as well as issues that are unique to families formed by adoption. It is at these times that adoptive families may be in need of support services. Lack of awareness of appropriate support services (by both the adoptive family and the adoption professional) and/or difficulty in locating such services can be a source of frustration for all.

Hoping to help alleviate that frustration, The Family Independence Agency is now providing funding for regional Post-Adoption Support Services (PASS) Centers for families who have adopted children from a state foster care program. These regional PASS Centers have been developed with the input of adoptive parents and are designed to provide and assist adoptive families in locating the support services they need.

Though still fairly new, (funding for the regional PASS Centers became available as of October 1st) the PASS Centers have hit the ground running and are already acting as “conduits of information” for persons needing assistance in locating post-adoption support services. Each regional center has the flexibility to develop in ways that will best meet the needs of their local communities. From specific programs (including recreational opportunities) to information about therapists, support groups, and more, it is hoped that the PASS Centers will will serve a critical role in helping families find and access services they need.

Some of the services that the regional PASS Centers are designed to provide include:

• Crisis intervention services for families who may be lacking other resources,
• Information and referral services,
• Coordination of community services; trained professionals to assist families in applying for community services, and
• Development of community-based recreation and training programs.

The regional Post Adoption Support Service (PASS) Centers are divided geographically into the following areas:

Region 1 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Child & Family Services of the Upper Peninsula, Inc.
• Phone: (906) 226-2516 or (877) 826-4960
• Counties served: Entire Upper Peninsula

Region 2 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Eagle Village
• Phone: (231) 832-2234 or (866) 744-0061
• Counties served: Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco.

Region 3 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Eagle Village
• Phone: (231) 832-2234 or (866) 772-0061
• Counties served: Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Montcalm, Gratiot, Saginaw, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawassee.

Region 4 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Catholic Social Services - Muskegon
• Phone: (231) 726-4735 or (866) 968-7411
• Counties served: Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Allegan.

Region 5 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Child & Family Services - Capitol Area
• Phone: (517) 882-4000 or (800) 301-7566
• Counties served: Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, Washtenaw, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe.

Region 6 PASS Center

• Coordinating Agency: Catholic Social Services of Macomb
• Phone: (810) 416-2300
• Counties served: Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb.

Oakland & Wayne County Regional PASS programs will be announced in 2002.