Starr Adoption Services supports open and modern adoptions that allow for the biological and adoptive families to share contact and identifying information to establish and maintain contact before, during, and after the adoption process. While we respect and support that open adoption is not the chosen option for all expectant/birth parents, we encourage this communication structure when desired by the expectant/birth parents and is in the best interest of the child. This allows for communication options such as letters, emails, phone/video calls, in-person visits, etc.

In Arizona, our agency encourages the development of a Post Adoption Communication Agreement commonly referred to as a PACA. This document is agreed upon by both the biological and adoptive parents & outlines the minimum agreed upon contact. It is important to note that this is a minimum and does not prohibit the parties from increasing or expanding contact as their relationship grows overtime.

The PACA is filed with the court and affords birth parents the right to request a mediation if contact ceases without good cause. While an adoption cannot be overturned due to lack of compliance with the PACA, this formality provides a path to comeback to the table to discuss communication if it is not being fully fulfilled.