Act 101 of 2010 Training Program for Court and Agency Appointed Authorized Representative Training
When: Thursday, January 9, 2025 | 9am - 4pm
Where: 300 Corporate Center Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Cost: $150 | Participants can purchase a training material binder for an additional $25
How: Registration costs can be paid via Debit/Credit Card during registration, or by check.
Make checks payable to Voce
Mail checks to 200 Corporate Center Drive, Ste. 100A, Camp Hill, PA 17011 by January 2, 2025.
Cancellations will be accepted 3 business days prior to the scheduled training and refunded accordingly.
Amendments to Pennsylvania’s Adoption Act enacted by Act 101 of 2010 became effective on April 25, 2011. Among other things, the law expands access to information from adoption records. This training outlines the requirements of Act 101 for courts and agencies to appoint Authorized Representatives to access information from adoption records. This training focuses on the role of the Authorized Representative in providing services to adopted persons and birth and adoptive family members seeking information from the records and/or contact with each other. It provides participants with an understanding of the emotional aspects from the perspectives of the adoptee, birth parents, adoptive parents and birth siblings. Strategies for locating individuals while maintaining confidentiality are presented. This training also provides an overview of the expanded responsibilities of Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry.
Endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and coordinated by Voce, this program is required for Authorized Representatives. This training is designed solely for those individuals who have been appointed as authorized representatives for purposes of implementing Act 101 of 2010. For details on Act 101 and the role of the Authorized Representative, please review Bulletin 3350-11-01.
This training is eligible for continuing education credits (CEUs) and continuing legal education credits (CLEs).
Participants in this training have the option to review a Web-based introductory Act 101 Overview as a pre-requisite to the training. Instructions to complete the introductory course are listed below.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited; therefore, all participants must be pre-registered.
All materials will be distributed electronically to all attendees. Only those that pay for a binder will receive one on the day of the training. To receive a printed training binder, registrations must be received and paid by January 2, 2025.
Participants are welcome to bring a charged laptop/device to the training to use during the web-based activity. Devices should remain closed until designated by the trainer.
Speakers
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Kelly Weston
SWAN Central Regional Technical Assistance Division Manager
Kelly is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce overseeing the technical assistance provided to county children and youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies. Kelly has worked for Voce since 2011, originally being a regional technical assistant in the central region. Before that, Kelly also had 15 years' experience working in several capacities for Berks County Children and Youth Services as a Protective Services Supervisor and finally an Adoption Supervisor. While at Voce, Kelly has served on many committees including Adoption Coalitions, the Logic Model Education Sub-Committee, and the PA Authorized Representative Meetings supporting Adoption Search and Reunion. Kelly is a graduate from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Criminal Justice.
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Rachel Thiessen, Esq.
Legal Training Specialist
Rachel E. Thiessen, Esquire currently serves as a Legal Training Specialist for the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) Legal Services Initiative. In this role, Ms. Thiessen designs and delivers trainings to the full spectrum of professionals in the child welfare system, concentrating her efforts in the South Central and South Eastern regions of Pennsylvania. Ms. Thiessen brings a unique perspective to her trainings as she is both an adoptee and an adoptive parent. Prior to joining SWAN, Rachel practiced adoption and estate planning law. Ms. Thiessen is a graduate of Messiah College and the Dickinson School of Law.
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This program is offered for 6 CE hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and therefore a PA pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education please visit socialwork.pitt.edu/professional-continuing-education.
